Virtual Rosary for Priests

Like many millions of people across the globe you may already be praying the Rosary on Thursdays. Worldpriest is now naming each Thursday as Rosary Thursday and invites you to offer your Rosary on that day for the sanctification of priests, which is also the Worldpriest Annual Global Rosary Relay prayer intention.

On the last Thursday of each month The Worldpriest Global Apostolate is planning a virtual Rosary Thursday.

In 2002 Pope John Paul II invited Catholics to pray the Mysteries of Light on Thursdays. These mysteries focus on the public life of Jesus – the Light of the world. Included are Jesus’s Baptism, Wedding Feast of Cana, his revealing of God’s Kingdom, his Transfiguration and the Institution of the Eucharist.

This prayer time for Rosary Thursday will take the form of a virtual Rosary at 6 p.m. local Rome time, being prayed for the sanctification of priests and the intentions of Pope Francis. Everyone around the world – regardless of their location – will be very welcome to join in this important time of prayer However; all participants will need to register by simply clicking on the link below.

This virtual Rosary Thursday will make use of Zoom technology Register here. It will open at 17.40 hours, with a slide show selection of photographs from various Global Rosary prayer locations from around the world, before the prayers begin at 18.00 hours, concluding at 18.30 hours

Bernard J. McGuckian S.J. is an Irish Jesuit priest, currently working at the People’s Church, Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare. Since ordination in 1970 his main apostolate has been as Director of the international Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and editor of Pioneer, its monthly magazine (founded 1948). The membership of this Jesuit-inspired Association is mainly to be found in English-speaking countries, especially in Africa, where the growth in recent years has been phenomenal. The members commit themselves to life-long abstinence from alcohol and daily prayer to the Sacred Heart for victims of alcohol abuse. A Jesuit apostolate since its foundation in 1898 it has recently been entrusted to laity in December 2019.

During 1989-91 Fr McGuckian was based in Africa where he was directly involved in the establishment and spiritual direction of the Sisters of Emmanuel, now a thriving religious congregation in Kenya. Over the years his special interest has been Sacred Heart spirituality. He is one of three brothers who are Jesuit priests. Michael is currently based in Ankara, Turkey and the youngest, Alan is Bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe Ireland.

Father Barney McGuckian was appointed Chaplain to the Worldpriest Global Apostolate in November 2019.