Second annual October Rosary Rally for Vocations challenges Catholics to pray 75,000 rosaries

Catholics in northeast Nebraska are once again challenged to pray the rosary during October for young people discerning calls to the priesthood and consecrated life.

The second annual October Rosary Rally for Vocations invites Catholics to come together and pray 75,000 rosaries in support of these young Catholics and for an increase in vocations. Father Scott Schilmoeller, the archdiocese’s vocations director, said the Rosary Rally seeks to offer reassurance to those considering religious life, some of whom may not have told anyone they are discerning a vocation.

Last year, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Omaha prayed 61,680 rosaries for vocations after being challenged to pray 50,000 rosaries. Buoyed by that success, Father Schilmoeller increased this year’s goal to 75,000.

“We are incredibly blessed in our archdiocese to have so many people who support vocations,” Father Schilmoeller said. “I have no doubt they will help us reach our goal again this year.”

Currently, 21 men from the archdiocese are in seminaries discerning priesthood and 25 men and women are in formation for consecrated life.

Studies have shown that more than half of those discerning a call to the priesthood report being discouraged from that vocation by at least one person close to them, sometimes parents and loved ones, Father Schilmoeller said.

Father Scott Schilmoeller PHOTO MIKE SCHILMOELLER

He said they not only face external pressures in an increasingly distracted and faithless culture, but they also must weather the whispers of the enemy seeding doubt in their faith and future.

“It’s very difficult for them in their own discernment,” Father Schilmoeller said.

As part of the Rosary Rally, Catholics are invited to pray the rosary individually, with their families, in their small groups, at their parishes, at rosary events, or with each other via social media, asking the Blessed Mother’s intercession for those discerning vocations.

Afterward they can log the number on the October Rosary Rally website on Omahavocations.org. A counter will update how many rosaries have been prayed during the rally. Rosaries can also be logged by email or by calling 402-513-8569.

Having the rally in October, the month of the Holy Rosary, adds meaning to the prayers.

“When we rally around praying the rosary, get our Mother involved even more and ask Heaven to really be connected with them through the support of a multitude of prayers from across the archdiocese, I really think it’s going to bear much fruit,” he said.

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