Rosary walk slated for Sunday in Uniontown
The Altar-Rosary Society of St. George Maronite Catholic Church announces Sunday is the date for the 23rd annual rosary walk, a special event among the Uniontown Catholic churches.
The event, which is a special devotion to Mary, the Blessed Mother, has been a fixture in the city.
“It’s a joy to see the same people returning. They’re still involved and looking forward to it,” said Pat Rogers, who coordinates the walk.
This event began in 1990, when the Rev. Gregory Mansour, then pastor of St. George and now bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron, challenged the altar-rosary society to devise a special program to honor Mary, the Mother of God. Jack Morrison, a young seminarian who worked with the group, suggested the rosary walk.
During the rosary walk, each of the five decades of the rosary is said at a different Uniontown Catholic church. Those participating can either walk or drive.
This year, the walk begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Garden of Prayer of St. George Maronite Catholic Church, Lebanon Terrace. There, the St. George Altar-Rosary Society will lead the first decade of the Glorious Mysteries.
The second decade will be recited at St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, East Main Street, led by the Marian Club.
The group will then proceed to the Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Pennsylvania Avenue, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, where the Christian Mothers will lead the third decade.
The fourth decade will be recited at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church, Mill Street, with the altar society leading.
The fifth decade will be led by members of St. Mary Nativity Roman Catholic Church on North Mount Vernon Avenue.
Following this, the group will proceed by private car to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church on Walnut Hill Road and conclude with a litany to the Blessed Mother at the outdoor shrine, led by the Christian Mothers. Benediction will follow in the church sanctuary.
The intention of the first walk was thanksgiving and to petition for blessings on the city and all of Fayette County. The intention then shifted to honoring Mary.
“Without the cooperation of all these churches, it couldn’t be done,” said Rogers.
City officials are also notified of the date and walking route.
“They have been most helpful by directing traffic and assisting in directing the walkers,” Rogers said.
About 300 people participate annually, including some who have not missed any of the walks.