Perpetual rosary aimed at bringing an end to abortion

By WCR Staff
Stony Plain

"This is serious stuff," said O'Hara, the manager of Ephphatha House's bookstore and coordinator of the crusade. "We need people who can commit to this for the long term."

The continuous prayer of rosary begins Ash Wednesday, March 8. O'Hara set it for the first day of Lent because "people are thinking of what they can do for Lent at that time."

The crusade to encourage prayer for the end of abortion, "the greatest crime in North America" and for the health and protection of Pope John Paul.

Participants in the crusade make a commitment to say one hour of rosaries once a week. O'Hara said the crusade, which dates back to 1986, is part of an international campaign and is alleged to be the prime reason for Poland strengthening its abortion laws in 1997.

Ephphatha has participated in similar perpetual rosary movements including the week-long Siege of Jericho, which it hosted twice last year.

O'Hara's goal is to have at least three people commit to a specific hour of rosary per week.

"This is a big commitment," she said. "They'll have to do this every week at the same time."

The perpetual rosary can be said privately anywhere, at home, work or while travelling.

She estimates she'll need about 504 people if there is to be a continuous prayer of the rosary throughout the year.

"Every year we'll have to go back and check it and make sure people are still committed to it," O'Hara said.

"If we have people saying the rosary for an hour one after the other, it's like a chain. We don't want this chain to be broken. We want people to commit seriously to this."

O'Hara does not recommend this to Christians who presently do not pray the rosary on a daily basis. She suggests they first try the Siege of Jericho, which Ephphatha House will host in May, before committing to the perpetual rosary.

"This is a very powerful prayer. The more people we get to say it, the more powerful it gets."

Anyone interested in participating can call 963-0896 for additional information.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter