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September 23, 2025By: David Chohon
For weeks now you’ll likely seen the 2025 Arizona Rosary Celebration promoted in your parish. It isn’t until October 18 but we, the Arizona Knights of Columbus, are excitedly promoting the diocesan wide event because we want you to join us for this special event. You see, every year, since 1976 the Arizona Knights of Columbus have hosted a statewide Rosary to honor Our Lady. We believe in the power of prayer and that is exactly what this event is about. We are bringing together faithful Catholics from throughout the Arizona to pray for our Catholic community and beyond.
Our celebration brings together families, priests, and other religious to pray together, all at once. It’s a powerful moment. This year, like all others, we honor our Blessed Mother, under one of her many titles, this year she’s Our Lady of Guadalupe. Father Emanuel Franco Gomez, a Carmelite priest and the Director of Youth Ministry for the diocese will serve as our guest speaker. He is known for his extensive study and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe focusing on the historical, theological, and spiritual significance of the Marian apparition and its impact on the Catholic Church and Mexican culture. The story of Mary’s appearance to San Juan Diego in 1531 is a familiar one. He was one of the Nahua people and was baptized by a Franciscan Missionary in 1527. Our Lady’s message to him was to ask the Bishop to build a shrine in Tepeyac for the faithful people of that region. His meeting with the Bishop led to a second visit wherein he was asked for proof of the request. When he opened his cloak holding flowers from the site, the image of Mary was imprinted on it. The Bishop agreed to the request and the Shrine now welcomes thousands of people each year to offer prayers and honor Our Lady at that site.
As you know prayer is especially important, but this event also collects prayer petitions that are then taken to the Santa Rita Abbey near Sonoita, AZ. For the next year the Sisters at the Abbey will pray for each intention. We also ask that everyone pray for the success of the Arizona Rosary Celebration as similar celebrations will take place in Phoenix and Flagstaff.
If you’ve never participated in the Arizona Rosary Celebration you will be among other faithful Catholics and many of our priests serving the Diocese of Tucson. Our Apostolic Administrator the Most Reverend Gerald Kicanas will lead us. He will be accompanied by dozens of deacons and altar servers. Our Rosary leaders will lead us as we pray, we will also enjoy a Blessing Procession. It is quite the site to come together as faithful Catholics and enjoy fellowship. I’m especially proud that at least half of the 77 parishes in the diocese are represented at the event. The night before we also gather for Holy Hour. This is a glorious event that only happens once a year so on behalf of the Arizona Knights of Columbus and the Diocese of Tucson I cordially invite you to join us for a special night of prayer. Please visit our website to learn more https://www.azrosary.net/