Millions join Radio Maria UK's Worldwide Rosary from Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden

Our Lady of Willesden

Source: Radio Maria UK

Radio Maria UK broadcast its Worldwide Rosary live on Wednesday 26th August from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden in north-west London, uniting listeners across the globe in prayer for the five Glorious Mysteries.

Five contemporary Catholic composers premiered original music for the Glorious Mysteries at the historic London shrine

The event was presided over by Fr Stephen Willis, Rector of the Shrine, with Fr Toby Lees OP, Priest Director of Radio Maria UK.

Together they led more than 220 pilgrims gathered at the shrine and a worldwide radio audience through the Rosary, with each decade prayed in a different language, including English, Cantonese, Italian, Indonesian and French.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden traces its history back more than a thousand years, to a well and a community of priests said to have been visited by King Athelstan. Devotion to the shrine's Black Madonna flourished throughout the medieval period, survived destruction during the Reformation and was restored to Willesden in the late nineteenth century. In 1954 the statue of Our Lady of Willesden was crowned by Cardinal Griffin before 94,000 people at Wembley Stadium.

Welcoming pilgrims and listeners to the shrine, Fr Stephen Willis said: "With great joy I welcome you, on this memorial of Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God, to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, situated here in the busy streets of north-west London, as we join together from around the world to pray the Holy Rosary."

"And so, after more than a thousand years, after supposed destruction, tumult and travails, we come today before the Black Madonna of Willesden, the Protectress of London, from all around the world to offer the Holy Rosary."

Each of the five Glorious Mysteries was accompanied by an original piece of music, written and performed by Catholic composers and musicians who volunteer with Radio Maria UK: Marcello Palazzo, with Alice Martin, for the Resurrection; Chiara Toone for the Ascension; Alessi's Ark for the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; Charlotte Thun-Hohenstein for the Assumption; and Ian Kelly for the Coronation of Our Lady.

Introducing the afternoon of prayer, Fr Toby said the gathering was continuing the work of Mary "in every time and place" and reflecting afterwards on the specially commissioned music, he said: "I want to ask you a question: if your children, if your grandchildren, listened to music like that, don't you think they would be Catholic? Music is powerful, music transforms the soul for good or for ill. Radio Maria is the better choice."

Thanking everyone who took part, Fr Toby reflected on the scale of the occasion: "What we have just been a part of, millions of listeners around the world united in prayer through the Worldwide Rosary, does not happen by chance. An event of this size takes a great deal of planning and technical support, and it stands as such a powerful demonstration of the remarkable global, Catholic nature of Radio Maria."

"Fr Stephen and all the team here, we are profoundly grateful. It's been wonderful to shine a light from all around the world on this shrine in the back streets."

Following the Rosary, pilgrims were invited to a reception in the parish hall, where Radio Maria merchandise and DAB radios were available alongside opportunities to donate. Radio Maria UK carries no advertising and relies entirely on the generosity of listeners and supporters to fund its broadcasts, including events such as this one.

Radio Maria UK is a Catholic DAB digital radio charity broadcasting prayer, teaching and Catholic culture across the United Kingdom and online, free of charge and free of advertising. It is part of the World Family of Radio Maria, which broadcasts in over 80 countries. For more information see: www.radiomaria.uk