The Dominicans hosted their third annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage Saturday, September 27, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C..
Some 4,000 pilgrims came from across the country and another 24,000 watched via its livestreams. The event was the culmination of a nine-month novena that began on January 25, 2025.
The pilgrimage was led by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, and featured both English and Spanish tracks.
The Dominican Friars gave talks on the Rosary and there was exposition and Eucharistic adoration, three hours of confessions, a 15-decade rosary, a Vigil Mass and a performance from the Catholic bluegrass band the Hillbilly Thomists.
Pilgrims also got to see a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary, created by the artists of the Albl Oberammergau, a wood-carving studio in Bavaria, Germany, that dates back to 1556.
“The overwhelming response to this year’s Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage is a testament to the hunger in the Church for prayer, community, and devotion to Our Lady,” said Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P.
"To see more than 4,000 pilgrims gathered in the Basilica, and tens of thousands more praying with us online, confirms that the Rosary is truly uniting hearts across the nation. The nine-month novena leading to this day prepared the way for countless graces, and we give thanks to God for the fruit borne in this pilgrimage.”
