Eucharistic rosary rally for religious liberty draws 750 people

Father Robert Robeson, rector of Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, carries a monstrance during the “Eucharistic Rosary Rally for the Protection of Our Religious Liberties” procession on Sept. 30 at Marian University in Indianapolis. Father Jerry Byrd, associate pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis, follows him with members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and archdiocesan seminarians. (Submitted photos by Daniel Roy)

Criterion staff report

A beautiful autumn day provided the perfect setting to pray for the protection of religious liberty during a Sept. 30 eucharistic rosary rally at Marian University in Indianapolis.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary parishioner Patty Arthur of Indianapolis, administrative assistant of the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry, said the rally and time for eucharistic adoration brought 750 people from many parishes together in prayer.

“Through our efforts, the intercession of the Mother of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit,” Arthur said, “we can transform our culture into a culture of life—if necessary one person at a time.”

Father Robert Robeson, rector of the Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, and Father Jerry Byrd, associate pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis, led the people in eucharistic adoration, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and praying the rosary.

Archdiocesan seminarians and members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Santo Rosario Council #14449 also participated in the outdoor prayer service and rally, which featured images of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Holy Rosary parishioner Eric Slaughter of Indianapolis, who also helped organize the rally, said “the Lord blessed us with a beautiful and glorious day” to pray for the defense of religious liberty.

“When we pray the holy rosary, we cry out in one voice to the Mother of Jesus, who is our mother,” he said. “During this current threat to our religious freedom, the threat to our Church in America, we cry out to Mary to beseech her Son on our behalf.

“We inspire each other to pray and to fast against the unseen forces with which we do battle,” Slaughter said. “We also encourage one another to stand up, to speak out and to vote with the mind of the Church. … Remember, we are Catholics. We are Americans. We are faithful citizens.” †