Catholic News Service has published briefs on the following topics: The Rosary and peace; FOCUS consecrated to Mary; Cardinal’s birthday celebration; Class of new priests.

Author says rosary 'can help us achieve peace in the world'
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Why do Catholics pray the rosary? The history of the rosary traces to the 13th century. It is believed that Mary gave St. Dominic the rosary to rescue the Church from the Albigensian heresy. Initially, 150 Hail Marys were prayed as a part of the rosary. "The prayer of the rosary, originally composed of 150 Hail Marys, is based on the 150 psalms of the Psalter prayed in monasteries since antiquity," said Gretchen Crowe, editor-in-chief of OSV Newsweekly in Huntington, Indiana, and author of the new book "Why the Rosary, Why Now?" The string of beads used to recite Our Fathers and Hail Marys are called "paternosters," Latin for "Our Father." The rosary evolved over the next three centuries to consist of 50 beads -- which form the five sections, or decades, of the rosary, separated by a large bead for the Our Father. "In many ways, the rosary and its spiritual benefits became most well-known during the 19th and 20th centuries through the record 11 encyclicals Pope Leo XIII wrote on the topic," Crowe said.

Consecrating FOCUS to Mary is 'all grace,' says apostolate's CEO
AVE MARIA, Fla. (CNS) -- For Curtis Martin, founder and CEO of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, "It's all grace." He was describing the apostolate's consecration to Mary June 13 during its five weeks of new staff training at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria. The act of consecration came during the celebration of Mass at Ave Maria Church, followed by a rosary procession by 600 people. Participants walked with the World Apostolate of Fatima's statue of Our Lady of Fatima. "We want to make a consecration to Our Lord in a new and powerful way through the intercession of Our Lady. With special emphasis on Our Lady of Guadalupe and Fatima because of the special significance which they hold for their new evangelization," Martin told Catholic News Service. The purpose of the consecration was to "petition assistance for a deeper sanctification of missionaries and staff and for a special blessing of their missionary work and the apostolate as a whole," according to FOCUS.

Manila Archdiocese collects blood to mark Cardinal Tagle's 60th birthday
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Instead of material gifts, a priest and employees of the Archdiocese of Manila gifted Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle with their blood. The collection drive was held at the Archdiocesan Chancery in the historic Intramuros on June 19 to commemorate the birthday of the cardinal, who will turn 60 June 21. Father Sanny de Claro, archdiocesan director of human resource development, told ucanews.com that the group chose to gift the cardinal with their blood because it symbolizes life. "I think the best gift is to help save or extend somebody's life, that's why we have this blood donation drive," Father de Claro said. "Through this, we also want to show the cardinal that we treasure life," he added. The blood collected will be used particularly to help poor people who cannot afford to buy blood, the priest said. 

New priests follow many paths to answering call to serve God's people
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- After almost 12 years as an Episcopal priest, Deacon Jonathan Erdman entered into full communion with the Catholic Church along with his family in 2016 and a year later, he is becoming a Catholic priest. He will be ordained a priest of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter June 29. This spring, 590 men entered the priesthood in dioceses throughout the United States, according to a report released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. The report is based on an annual study that the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate conducted for the USCCB. Leading to his joining the Catholic Church, Deacon Erdman felt something in the background repeatedly calling him to the Church, but he said he continually found new ways to distract himself. "I think often when one hears God calling, a response can be thinking of an excuse," Deacon Erdman said in a phone interview with Catholic News Service June 14. "Moses said he didn't have the ability to speak, Jeremiah claimed he was too young, and even Peter asked Jesus to depart because he felt unworthy. I distracted myself with my work in ministry. I told myself that I was needed where I was."