In 2008, Fr. Ismael GARCÍA MORENO (currently the Vicar Provincial of the Mediterranean Province for the Spanish sector) initiated a continuous recitation of the rosary for 24 hours by a youth group in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The following year, the initiative grew to 36 hours. Fr. Ismael left the coordination of the project in the hands of the laity and in 2013, they began their prayer on the Feast of St. Eugene de Mazenod, May 21. So many people wanted to be part of this praying of the rosary that it was extended to May 29, Feast of Blessed Joseph Gerard. In other words, it now coincides with the annual Oblate Novena for Vocations.
Through the social media of Facebook (“Rosario OMI”), the project has taken on a more international character as people from such places as Germany, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Canada, Italy, and Spain committed to pray the rosary at various times of the day this year.
The coordinator, Pablo Renedo, from the Oblate parish of San Leandro in Aluche de Madrid, states that putting the list on Facebookwas not so much aimed at filling in all the times on the list as it was to simply foster prayer for vocations. Most of the people who sign on to the list come from communities where there are Oblates and laity who foster participation.
Pablo further states: “When we thought for the first time about inviting others to pray throughout the week, many thought it was crazy, but the response was extraordinary. At the same time, I think we should open this initiative to other important moments for the life of the Congregation: the feast of our Blessed Oblates, or crucial moments such as the celebration of the General Chapters.”
