Cold temperatures have finally landed in the Trenton Diocese, but for most of the fall, it was unseasonably warm, offering a welcome extension to those desiring to pray outdoors in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton. There, parishioners made the most of a new Rosary Garden Walk located on the campus of St. Raphael Church, one of two worship sites in the parish.

The garden walk, dedicated to the Blessed Mother, was blessed and dedicated by Father Gene Daguplo, temporary administrator on Oct. 30.

The serene spot quickly became a popular place for those seeking an outdoor haven in which to walk or rest as they prayed, said parishioner Rachael Baisas-Janolo.

Baisas-Janolo designed the garden on behalf of FRHA – the Filipino Community of St. Raphael-Holy Angels, the very active ministry which spearheaded the fundraising drive to create it as a place of rest and prayer for all in the parish.

“We wanted to be able to have a place to gather to venerate the Blessed Mother which also beautified the grounds,” she said. The group decided on a design which focused on the Cross and the Blessed Mother, reflecting the wish of Father John Chang, the pastor, she said.

Constructed in a manner that reflects the decades of the Rosary, there are five garden areas framed with arches and greenery including climbing wisteria vines which, Baisas-Janolo expects, will add shade to the area in time.

As envisioned, she said, the garden is a place where one can “meditate and pray.”

“We call it a Rosary walk because you can also walk and pray,” she said.

“Since the dedication, you see more people using the area, which is located near the Pope John Paul II Spiritual Center,” said Baisas-Janolo. “Our goal is just to have a quiet, nice sacred place to pray.”