Martyred and Persecuted for the Christian Faith

May 31, 2026

Introduction: On behalf of the Knights of Columbus, welcome to the Rosary for Persecuted Christians. Last November we introduced you to the World Mission Rosary. This form of the rosary was created by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in 1951 to encourage prayer for the world. Each of the five decades uses a different colored bead to represent a continent: green for Africa, blue for the Oceania, white for Europe, red for the Americas, and yellow for Asia. Praying the rosary with these beads is a way to pray for world unity and peace, and to support mission work. This dovetails well into our purpose to pray for those experiencing persecution.  

I want to thank Lois Kiel, from Ascension, who introduced me to this rosary and asked that the Knights help promote its use. We have enough World Mission Rosaries for anyone who did not receive one before. The rosaries have been blessed, so please care for them as you would any blessed item. The petitions this time are more general and have more emphasis on mission rather than specific petitions of recent persecution events around the world. It is our hope that sharing these informs you, increases your awareness to promote worldwide unity and peace, and moves all of us to more intense prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in support of mission work.

First Mission Mystery – Jesus is baptized: As we meditate on the first mystery let us remember those in Africa seeking freedom from domestic and foreign oppression. The purpose of the missions is to bring the Word of God to those ignorant of it. Missionaries exhibit Chrisitan love for the people of Africa and alleviate their suffering. Let us pray for the spread of the Gospel, the vitality of the Church, and for relief from poverty, famine, and conflict in African nations.

Second mystery – Jesus proclaims the Good News to all:  As we meditate on this second mystery, we call to mind the peoples in the island nations of the south Pacific, or Oceania. The remoteness of their environment makes their lives and livelihoods highly dependent on the abundance of resources in the neighboring seas provided by God. Let us pray for the people of the Pacific Islands, the missionaries serving in remote areas, and for the preservation of faith amid secularization and natural challenges.

Third Mission Mystery – Jesus heals the sick: As we meditate on this third mystery, we recall the peoples of Europe seeking social harmony. We give thanks for the good people of Europe who accommodate refugees seeking refuge from economic, religious, and social strife in their homeland. We pray for the missionaries there who provide compassionate services to address community needs like migrant crises and poverty. Let us pray for the Holy Father and the Church in Europe, that it may be spiritually renewed and re-enkindled with the fire of faith.

 Fourth Mission Mystery – Jesus offers the gift of life:  As we meditate on the fourth mystery, ask God to bless work of the missionaries serving in the Americas. We have confident hope for deeper solidarity in our hemisphere and respect for all life and cultures. Let us pray for the Church throughout North, South, and Central America, thanksgiving for the faith brought by early missionaries, and for healing, justice, and peace.

Fifth Mission Mystery – Jesus teaches us how to pray: As we meditate on the fifth mystery, let us remember the peoples of Asia, striving for respect and appreciation of each other’s cultures and traditions. We pray for the Christian missionaries sent out into this part of the world, where they face many challenges in spreading the gospel. Let us pray for the Church in Asia, particularly in areas where Christians are a minority, and for an openness to the Gospel message across Eastern cultures.