On a beautiful Saturday, over 3,000 Catholics gathered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., to honor the Virgin Mary and celebrate the gift of the holy rosary.
This event marked the second annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage, drawing participants from all walks of life—college students, families with young kids, and older adults—all united in their faith.
Celebrating Together
Inside the basilica, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as attendees filled the upper church, surrounded by stunning Marian shrines.
Participants took part in various activities, including praying the rosary, attending lectures about the rosary and the Blessed Mother, and engaging in adoration and confession.
The day also featured a Mass to honor the sacrifice of the community, followed by a lively outdoor concert by the Hillbilly Thomists, a folk band made up of Dominican friars.
The pilgrimage, organized by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, saw an increase in participation compared to last year.
For the first time, a Spanish-language worship track was offered in the crypt church, along with more priests available for confession and an evening concert—a new addition to the pilgrimage’s schedule.
A Journey of Prayer
Many attendees had participated in a nine-month rosary novena leading up to the pilgrimage, which aligns with the upcoming month of the rosary in October.
Conversations with attendees revealed a strong sense of community and devotion to the rosary.
Scott Durkin, a graduate student from the University of Virginia, shared that the novena had deeply connected him to the rosary, making it a significant part of his prayer life.
He emphasized its importance as a symbol of faith and a powerful tool for evangelization.
Pat Ober, who discovered the pilgrimage through her parish, echoed the sentiment of community.
“It’s really nice to get pumped up seeing other people praying together,” she remarked.
Engaging Lectures and Spiritual Insights
As the events unfolded, the pews—capable of seating around 3,500—were filled, with some participants standing in the back or wandering to the side aisles.
Among the insightful speakers was Dominican Father James Sullivan, who delivered a captivating lecture on the various mysteries meditated upon during rosary prayers.
He encouraged the faithful to see the Annunciation as a vital entry point into the rosary, describing it as “the scenic view we really need in our lives.”
This moment, when the archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear Jesus, sets the stage for the joyful mysteries.
“When we pray the rosary, we stop to reflect on a mystery,” Sullivan explained, inviting attendees to consider the grace that flows from each meditation.
Father Sullivan elaborated on the four sets of mysteries—joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious—that guide the spiritual lives of Catholics.
He emphasized how the joyful mysteries invite believers into the movement of love, while the luminous mysteries celebrate God’s gifts, such as the Eucharist, where Jesus maintains a physical presence after his resurrection.
The sorrowful mysteries remind believers that suffering is a path to greater understanding, and the glorious mysteries encourage gratitude for the graces received.
The Power of the Rosary
During the vigil Mass, Father Dominic Verner, OP, spoke about the profound power of the Virgin Mary and the rosary.
He highlighted the historical significance of praying the rosary, referencing St. Pius V’s call for prayer before the Battle of Lepanto, which successfully defended Christendom in 1571.
Verner urged attendees to harness the rosary’s power to address modern-day issues, from the sanctity of life to the dignity of the marginalized.
“The world does not yet remember, but it is beginning to notice something has been forgotten,” Verner observed.
Father John Paul Kern, OP, emphasized the rosary’s role as a spiritual weapon and a means of evangelizing.
He highlighted its importance in reaching out to those who may have strayed from the Church.
A Lasting Legacy
A highlight of the pilgrimage was the unveiling of a processional statue of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, depicting the Blessed Mother offering the rosary to those around her.
Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, announced that this statue would travel across the country as part of the mission to promote the rosary.
Father Joseph-Anthony Kress, OP, called on all pilgrims to join the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, a community dedicated to praying 15 decades of the rosary weekly.
In response, about 1,000 attendees committed to becoming members of this vibrant community.
As the day concluded, the Dominican friars announced plans to continue the pilgrimage next year, scheduling the next gathering for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the basilica.
This event promises to be another opportunity for the Catholic community to come together in faith and devotion.
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