More than 22,000 American children registered as participants in Aid to the Church in Need's annual "One Million Children Praying the Rosary" event, the nonprofit organization said in a press release on October 8.
The 22,000 figure is more than double the number of American children who registered to pray the Rosary in 2024, said Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
The final number of participants is still being tallied as children have until the end of the week to pray the Rosary.
"Across the United States, groups met in churches, schools, homes and public places to take part in the Marian devotion. Events took place in basilicas and cathedrals, in parochial schools and homeschool groups," said the release from ACN.
While, "many individuals and small groups signed up through the ACN website" there were additional groups of "300 to 800 or more," said the organization.
20 years
This year marks the 20th year of the "One million children praying the Rosary" campaign, which began in 2005 in Venezuela. In 2023 and 2024, for the first time ever, the number of officially registered children worldwide topped their goal of one million.
The timing of the event aligns with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is celebrated on October 7.
The name, and inspiration, comes from a quote attributed to St. Padre Pio, said ACN's website.
That quote, "When a million children pray the Rosary, the world will change," is especially poignant this year, said Cardinal Maura Piacenza, the international president of ACN.
“In an age when prayerful silence is too often drowned out by the noise of the world, the Rosary offers an oasis of contemplation. It is neither a dry nor repetitive practice, but rather a gentle and strong path that leads us to the heart of the Gospel,” said Cardinal Piacenza.
Pope Leo approved
Pope Leo XIV posted on X thanking the children who participated in the annual Rosary initiative.
"This October, as we contemplate with Mary the mysteries of Christ our Savior, let us deepen our prayer for peace, which should become concrete solidarity with people tormented by war," said Pope Leo XIV in an October 7 post on the social media platform.
He added "I thank the many children around the world who are praying the #HolyRosary for this intention," along with tagging Aid to the Church in Need's account and adding the hashtag #1MillionChildrenPraying.
