Holy Cross and St Helen Parish, St Helens, continued a much-loved tradition as its annual Rosary Procession took to the town’s streets on Sunday, 4 October.

 

With a history spanning over 60 years, the procession brought together members of the parish and wider Catholic community for an afternoon of prayer, reflection and public witness to the faith. October is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, with the first Sunday of the month celebrated as Rosary Sunday.

 

Led by parish priest Fr Jino Arikkatt, MCBS, the procession began at Holy Cross and St Helen Church and made its way through the town centre, with the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Stephen Little, also taking part.

 

The origins of this annual walk date back to the late 1950s, when parishioner Martin Byrne fell seriously ill. He made a promise to God that, if he recovered, he would establish an annual Rosary procession through St Helens. Following his recovery, the tradition began in 1961 and has remained an important part of the parish’s spiritual life ever since.

 

As participants walked through the town, they prayed the decades of the Rosary, offering their intentions for the parish, the local community, the nation and the wider world. Prayers were also offered for the causes of sainthood of Blessed Dominic Barberi and Venerable Elizabeth Prout, whose remains are interred at St Anne and Blessed Dominic Church in Sutton. The procession concluded with a service of Benediction, bringing the afternoon of prayer to a close.