Trinity Heights to hold Patriotic Rosary

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
June 24, 2004

A patriotic rosary will be held at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace on July 4 to help people remember the importance of God in their lives during a time when individual's faith is being suppressed due to the overall outlook of the nation.

"Our nation has strayed very far from our dedication and connection with our creator in the last 228 years," said Larry Walsh, board member for Trinity Heights. "Where originally we sought openly the guidance of the almighty in all of our public discourse and decision making, it is now considered offensive to non-believers if we even mention God. We are silencing any reference to God for the minority of our nation and we just want to re-think that."

The patriotic rosary will start at the foot of Mary at 7:30 p.m. During the rosary, each Hail Mary, Our Father and mystery of the rosary will be said for different areas and offices in the nation.

"Each of the prayers of the rosary will be dedicated to a particular element of our government and our states - the number of states coincides with the 50 Hail Mary's that are going to be said," Walsh noted. "We just thought it was an appropriate time to try to re-orientate our thinking to the way our nation was founded."

The idea to host this type of rosary came about several years ago when Walsh said he began to notice the change in perspective of religion in the world.

"Several years ago we began to have the concept that our nation did not seem to be following in the origins of our nation that was founded," Walsh said. "In the readings of many of our forefathers there is a constant reference to our maker to guide this nation," Walsh said. "We felt it was especially important this Fourth of July to pray a patriotic rosary, seeing the trend the nation seems to be having at the moment to silence any dialog of our creator."

Walsh said one of the main goals of the rosary is to pray for a return to the nation's roots and "that we abandon our rejection of God so that he might continue to bless America."

This is the second year Trinity Heights has hosted this type of rosary service. Walsh said he hopes many people of all faiths attend this year's patriotic rosary and the service is open for anyone who wants to attend.

"In this time of struggle we invite you to join us in our prayer for peace in our city, our nation and our world," Walsh said.