Embracing the World in Prayer … Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966) inaugurated the World Mission Rosary in a 1951 radio address (The Catholic Hour). Archbishop Sheen saw the need for us to pray not just for ourselves but for the whole world, especially those who are poor and vulnerable – here at home and around the world.

Each decade of the World Mission Rosary is a different color representing all areas of the world. As we pray the Rosary, we call to mind the peoples and needs of each continent: Green decade for Africa, green representing the forests and grasslands of Africa; Blue decade for the Islands of the Pacific, blue representing the ocean surrounding the islands of the Pacific; White decade for Europe, symbolizing the seat of the Holy Father, shepherd of the world; Red decade for The Americas, red calling to mind the fire of faith that brought missionaries to the Americas and the Yellow decade for Asia, yellow representing the morning light of the East.

Archbishop Sheen linked this Rosary to the missionary work of the Church and to the Holy Father. Praying this Rosary, he explained would “aid the Holy Father and his Society for the Propagation of the Faith by supplying him with practical support, as well as prayers for the poor mission territories of the world. When the Rosary is completed, one has…embraced all continents, all people in prayer” he added. He closed with “Won’t you please make a tour of the world on your World Mission Rosary?”

The World Mission Rosary is available through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for a suggested offering of $11 each and includes an information / prayer booklet. Children’s Rosaries are also available for a suggested offering of $5 each. There is no charge for shipping.

To order Rosaries, visit our online donation site.