World Mission Rosary

The World Mission Rosary was introduced by Archbishop Fulton John Sheen in 1951 during a radio show where he encouraged listeners to "embrace the world in prayer." As the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, he envisioned this rosary to promote global unity and peace through prayer.

Unique in its design, the rosary features five colors, each representing a different region of the world. Archbishop Sheen, who was also a television pioneer and Emmy Award winner, passed away on December 9, 1979. His cause for sainthood was opened in September 2022, and he was declared venerable on June 28, 2012.

The World Mission Rosary symbolizes our shared call to be missioners, uniting us with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe.

Green: For the forests and grasslands of Africa (green is also a sacred color for the Muslims).

Red: Calling to mind the fire of faith that brought missioners to the Americas (US, Canda, Latin America, and Native Americans).

White: Symbolizing Europe, the home of the Holy Father.

Blue: For the ocean surrounding the islands of the Pacific (Australia/Oceana).

Yellow: Symbolizing the morning light of the East and ‘beginning of civilization’ for Asia/Middle East.

Every year the first Friday in October is World Mission Rosary Day (sometimes called Missionary Childhood Day) – a day when kids are asked to recognize their young peers in other parts of the world.  Our diocese invites our schools and parishes to celebrate this day each year by praying the World Mission Rosary at some point on or near that date. 

It is a wonderful way to join other kids around the world in praying for our world – just think of the great power of prayer and the difference we can make!