We Pray for The Church – Rosary Procession & Crusade for Vocations:
It may have seemed like an ordinary Tuesday evening last week, but it was extraordinary in Wheeling as more than 100 people sweetly sang Immaculate Mary a cappella and prayed the Rosary in the streets – for the Church, for those who have left the Church, for our families, for those suffering due to illness or silent struggles, and for strong Catholic vocations for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
On Tuesday, May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, local forecasters called for rain, but not a drop fell upon the solemn and peaceful procession, singing and praying from St. Alphonsus Church in the Centre Market district to the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
The crowd representing youth in our parishes and Catholic schools to elders, who despite physical aches and pains (offering the latter for their special intentions), walked the half mile, kicking off the encore to the diocesan Rosary for Vocations from two years ago.
From May 13, 2025, to May 13, 2026, faithful around the world can join our diocesan Rosary Crusade for Vocations in WV. The diocese has created a webpage for Rosary pledges at: https://dwc.org/rosary-crusade/
As we unite in prayer for vocations, let us call to mind the lyrics of Immaculate Mary as the faithful, clergy, deacon, sisters, and religious educators sang out:
Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing;
You reign now in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!In heaven, the blessed your glory proclaim;
On earth we, your children, invoke your sweet name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!We pray for the Church, our true Mother on earth,
And beg you to watch o’er the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!
