On any given Saturday morning, weather permitting, Long Bridge Park in Hainesport is bustling with activity. Among the joggers and cyclists getting their workouts, kids enjoying the playground and families setting up picnic tables, is a group of faithful setting out on one of the walking trails with Rosaries in hand.

“I feel relaxed when I pray to the Virgin Mary during the Rosary Walk,” Rowell Reyes said one Saturday morning in September.

Reyes is among the participants who join in the Rosary Walk that was formed by Father Michael Kennedy soon after he arrived to serve as parochial vicar in St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, a little more than two years ago.

“People love the Blessed Virgin Mary and when praying the Rosary, they pray to her and ask her to point them to her son,” said Father Kennedy. By bringing people together for the Rosary Walk, Father Kennedy hopes to build community through sharing of common prayer.

“It’s really nice to be outside in God’s creation where we can pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary,” he said.

“And it’s a good way to get some exercise too,” he added with a smile.

The idea for the Rosary Walk stemmed from Father Kennedy’s days in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, when he and other seminarians would recite the Rosary while traversing the university’s 44-acre campus. His devotion to the Rosary, he said, was instilled in him through his mother, who always prayed the Rosary. Now in priesthood, he continues to recite the Rosary daily along with praying the Liturgy of the Hours and Divine Mercy Chaplet.

“The Mysteries of the Rosary are reflected in Scripture, which tells the story of the life, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord,” he said, and to have the opportunity to reflect on that as the Hail Marys are repeated “is very calming. It helps to center our minds on the Mysteries of Christ.”

While most of the Rosary Walk participants, which number between six and 10, are mostly from St. Katharine Drexel Parish, faithful from all parishes are welcome.

Reyes, a member of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, learned about the Rosary Walk from St. Katharine Drexel’s parish bulletin.

“I hope the Rosary Walks enliven all the participants in their spiritual needs and bring about camaraderie among the parishioners who participate,” said Reyes, who shared that his devotion to the Rosary began when he was in grade school and would pray the Rosary with his family.

“The Rosary is a universal prayer that can be prayed by all,” he said.

St. Katharine Drexel member Joann Dalessandro views the Rosary Walk as a blessing.

“It’s nice being outside, and you feel good knowing God is with us,” she said, recalling how as a child, her mother would have her and her siblings kneel every night after dinner to say the Rosary.

Noting that she has prayed the Rosary daily since 1996 after attending a Cursillo Retreat, Dalessandro said, “The Rosary is powerful. Our Lady appeared many times [throughout history] requesting that we pray the Rosary always. I pray that others feel the peace I feel and that our prayers are an encouragement to others. It's a blessed time when we are praying together. We go home with peace in our hearts.”