Diverse parishioners celebrate multilingual rosary

Intermountain Catholic

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Dozens of Catholics gathered as one community at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish in Layton to celebrate a multilingual rosary. IC photo/Laura Vallejo

LAYTON – Parishioners of Saint Rose of Lima Parish organized a multilingual rosary on May 12 dedicated to the protection of unborn.

Liz Ríos, St. Rose of Lima parishioner and organizer of the rosary, said that Catholics from different parishes in the diocese were invited. "This is the second time we did it, and it was open to everybody."

The first multilingual rosary was held back in October and around 60 people attended; about the same number attended last week’s event.

The day began with the celebration of the Mass, during which Father Clarence Sandoval, St. Rose of Lima pastor, dedicated the Eucharist to the unborn.

"We are all here together and we pray for those who have no defense, who haven’t been born yet," said Fr. Sandoval.

This event "brings the community together…. After Fr. Sandoval saw the success of the previous one he asked us to organize another one and we took advantage of the Mother’s Day weekend," said Monica Birch, another parishioner of St. Rose of Lima.

The parish community is multilingual: Samoan, Filipino, Vietnamese, Hispanic and Anglo, all of whom gathered to celebrate the rosary for the unborn.

"Social events bring people together and there is something we need to learn about other communities…. Being together with friends and family is really special," added Birch.

After the Mass the image of the Virgin Mary was placed on the altar with a painting of a small angel in front of a baby’s tomb.

"The image is pretty compelling," said Ríos. "It was painted by a young parishioner."

Having a multilingual rosary is an important event because, as Ríos said, "We are all one people. We all need to come together… The difference might be because we speak different languages, but we all believe in God; we are his people. We have to pray together."

Ríos said that it is very important to serve in the parishes and that the intention of this type of event is also to be able to pray for the different intentions of the Virgin.

During the event, one person from each of the different communities stood up and held a special rosary, praying one of the mysteries in their native language.

"The Rosary of the Unborn is a sign of hope for the world: that with heaven’s assistance, abortion will end and we will no longer offend God with this horrible sin," Ríos said. "It is also in heaven’s plan that many people will be brought to learn about the Revelation of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Message of Holy and Divine Love, and the truths about the Chambers of the Divine, Sacred Heart of Jesus. We are God’s people, we will keep on walking in faith."