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| Fr. Grant Thies, parochial administrator of St. Peter Parish in Madison, leads the Benediction during the second “Unite” Rosary Rally in Madison on October 11. Nearly 1,000 people came out for the peaceful afternoon of prayer. (Catholic Herald photo/Joe Ptak) |
MADISON — In the midst of protests, conflicts over the upcoming election, and a range of varying reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was time for some peace and prayer.
Nearly 1,000 people came out to downtown Madison for those moments of peace and prayer during the second “Unite” Rosary Rally on October 11.
The first rally was on August 15 and brought out more than 3,000 people.
The day also marked the conclusion of a 54-day Rosary Novena that started the same day as the previous rally.
There was an emphasis that the event was not a political event, but a prayer event, despite the closeness to the election and the State Capitol.
Prayer and rally
This rally started at Holy Redeemer Church in Madison, just off of State St.
Fr. Grant Thies, parochial administrator of St. Peter Parish in Madison, led the Eucharistic procession down State St. and toward the State Capitol Building.
Fellow priests and deacons from the downtown area followed closely behind the Blessed Sacrament, and Father Thies led everyone on the route.
While everyone prayed the Rosary, they made their way down State St. and then up the steps of the State Capitol.
Madison Police officers helped provide an escort down the street toward the Capitol.
There were some moments of Eucharistic Adoration at the Capitol followed by Father Thies leading the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Many state Catholic groups supported the rally, including Unite our Nation, Men of Christ, Pro-Life Wisconsin, Unite Wisconsin, and the United States Grace Force.
Rallies around the state and nation
The rally was one of many held on the same day across the state of Wisconsin and around the country, including in Fond du Lac and Oconomowoc.
A Rosary was prayed at Holy Redeemer Church in Perry on October 10.
An earlier Wisconsin rally was held in Kenosha on October 4, which has been a center of conflict recently following the shooting of Jacob Blake and deadly shootings during the unrest that followed.
A National Rosary Rally was held in Washington, D.C. on October 11.
This event was sponsored by Rosary Coast to Coast.
The march started on Capitol Hill and continued to Union Square to the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
Speakers there included Fr. Rick Heilman, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff and director of the United States Grace Force.
An upcoming Unite rally in Wisconsin will be held on Marshfield on Sunday, Oct. 18.
More information on these events can be found at https://uniteournation.net/