Celebrating Catholic Schools Week with the World Mission Rosary
As Catholic Schools Week is observed across the United States, children from various schools join the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States in praying the World Mission Rosary.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
During Catholic Schools Week, students from the Midwest came together on January 28 to participate in a special prayer initiative. National Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration that highlights Catholic education in the United States.
Organized by the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), a part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the event brought together students from 77 Catholic elementary schools across 14 dioceses. Some of the dioceses that participated included the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Diocese of Columbus, and Diocese of Joliet.
The Pontifical Mission Societies USA consists of four main societies, including the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Missionary Childhood Association. The MCA program works with schools and religious education programs across the United States.
A Global Perspective Through Prayer
During the online World Mission Rosary prayer session, children had the opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by their peers around the world who lack access to education. Each decade of the World Mission Rosary represents a different region where missionaries spread the Gospel.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen created the World Mission Rosary in 1951 during his time as the National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Teaching Children Compassion and Empathy
As students celebrate Catholic Schools Week, Monsignor Roger J. Landry, National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies USA, emphasized the importance of reflecting on the challenges faced by children worldwide. This year, the focus was on Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and Latin America.
The Director of the Missionary Childhood Association, Alixandra Holdren, highlighted the principle of ‘children helping children,’ teaching students that through prayer and support, they can make a difference in the lives of others.
As Catholic Schools Week continues, let us keep in mind the power of prayer and the impact it can have on children around the world.
