In top photo, individual parish Altar Rosary Society members from various parishes in Mercer, Burlington and Ocean Counties take part in the Regional Mass celebrated Oct. 17 by Bishop O’Connell in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Church. Mike Ehrmann photo
By Christina Leslie | Correspondent
Hailing from throughout Burlington, Mercer and Ocean Counties, Altar Rosary Society members gathered Oct. 17 in St. Rafael-Holy Angels Church, Hamilton, for the group’s 22nd regional network celebration.
Slated for October, the month of the Holy Rosary, the annual celebration features prayer, fellowship and the exchange of ideas of how to best contribute their time, treasure and talents to their various parish communities.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2026 Regional Altar-Rosary Society Mass
The group states its two-fold mission as “supporting and strengthening parish Rosary confraternities by providing a forum for the exchanging of ideas and information for their development and growth, [and] increasing awareness of the global nature and importance of devotion to our Blessed Mother and the Rosary prayers through spiritual and community events.”
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. was principal celebrant at the Mass; Father Gene Daguplo, pastor of the host parish, served as homilist, and priests from throughout the Diocese concelebrated.
The opening procession featured a larger-than-life size Rosary assembled in Italy, roses that were placed at the feet of Mary, and a basket with handwritten intercessions from those in attendance. Banners decorated by member parishes adorned the worship space.
Bishop O’Connell thanked the assembled for the work they did behind the scenes, calling them integral to the Church and the Blessed Mother.
What Rosarians do
Kathleen Mitchell, a long-time Rosarian from St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, said she took up the position of regional leader when her predecessor moved to Florida.
“Members get together a couple of times each year and have Mass,” she explained. “During regional meetings, we share best practices and find out what is on people’s minds. We all learn from one another.”
Though Rosarians are best known for praying to the Blessed Mother and readying supplies for Mass, Mitchell said Altar Rosary Societies also are invaluable in setting up events with other ministries, aiding in parish fundraising, and serving at Communion breakfasts. She said such service “allows for grace and peace.”
“The women in this group show commitment, love and compassion,” Mitchell said. “We can count on them. They lead by example.”
Mitchell credits the Rosary with saving her life.
“I was overseas with my family on 9/11, and we didn’t know if we would be coming home,” she recalled. “My grandmother wrote out the words to the Sorrowful Mysteries, put it in an envelope, and wrote ‘Kathleen’s Medicine’ on the front. Through faith and praying the Rosary, the Blessed Mother brought us home.”
Former regional leader Nancy Rhodes is a second-generation Altar Rosary member at St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamlton; her mother-in-law, Ann, introduced her to the Society as a young woman. During her years as regional leader, she recalled: “We met a lot of [Rosarians] outside the parish and learned about the great things they do. All of us grew in faith of our Blessed Mother.”
Upon her retirement from leadership, Rhodes was succeeded by her daughter, Patty Marrone. Marrone most enjoyed “the service you bring and selflessness to bring to community of the church. On top of that, it’s a nice way to have camaraderie.”