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Every Tuesday evening since school started, members of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) have been gathering at Evans Chapel for a procession around campus that is centered on saying the rosary.
FOCUS plans to continue to hold a rosary procession every Tuesday night for anyone interested, even in the winter.
On Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m., FOCUS will present its first speaker event at the Sidelines Pub, “Green Sex is the Best: The Carbon Footprint of Contraception.”
Two years ago, the rosary was said in the chapel, but now FOCUS shares their faith with other students by walking around campus.
“FOCUS’ walking Rosary is another way that we build authentic Christian friendships and community – as I have found in my personal experience, praying the Rosary as a group is a great bonding experience,” said sophomore Jenna Pettinger.
FOCUS is a collaboration of adult missionaries and student leaders, where people can learn about evangelism, grow in their faith or explore Catholicism. FOCUS holds events on campus, such as the rosary procession and Bible studies.
“FOCUS has two aims: fundraising and evangelism,” said Luke Oestman, a FOCUS missionary.
After leaving Evans Chapel last Tuesday, the procession wound its way around campus until it arrived back at Evans Chapel, where the final prayers were said. The procession lasted roughly 25 minutes, but most people stayed after to hang out and chat.
Most participants held rosaries in their hands, while others said the “Hail Marys” without using a rosary. Some carried backpacks, coming directly from class and meetings, but mostly the group appeared like any group of friends crossing campus.
The procession was quiet except for the hum of prayers being murmured in unison. Students passing by sometimes peered at the group in confusion, but others waved at friends or paid the group no attention.
Prayer beads are used by many religions as a way to focus prayer, but the rosary is a specific Roman Catholic tradition in which specific prayers are represented by sets of beads.
For every ten beads, ten “Hail Marys” are said, followed by a “Glory be to the Father,” and a single bead, in which an “Our Father” is said. The prayers begin at a crucifix of Jesus with a “Glory be to the Father,” three “Hail Mary,” an “Our Father,” and the “Apostles Creed.”
Pettinger, a second year FOCUS member, was one of nine participants Tuesday evening. Pettinger is involved in FOCUS activities, including Bible studies, student leadership, rosary processions, disciple time, broomball and weekly mass. FOCUS members attend Mass on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Evans Chapel.
Last Tuesday nine participants participated in saying the rosary, but as they get farther into the year, FOCUS expects more and more to participate.
Currently the group has a strong sophomore following, but they plan on making themselves more well known to freshmen and other students through weekly events.
“FOCUS is a big part of my life,” said Pettinger. “It almost consumes my life, because I do something almost every night. These are my best friends, and we grow together in Christ.”
FOCUS welcomes people of any religion, age or gender to join the procession and participate in other events. FOCUS invites also graduate students and students from nearby schools to join in the activities.
“The aim is not to get as many people as possible, it’s about looking for people you can go deeper with,” said Ashley Hurley, FOCUS missionary.
