The Men’s Rosary Crusade spreads across Australia
The Men’s Rosary Crusade in Australia has its roots in a profound commitment to prayer and devotion. Inspired by international movements, particularly those in Poland and Ireland, the Australian initiative began with a small group of dedicated men. These early gatherings laid the foundation for what would become a nationwide movement.
The very first Men’s Rosary Crusade took place on a sweltering Saturday, December 18, 2021, in the forecourt of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Around 30 men—young and old, from various cultural backgrounds—gathered in humble obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Kneeling in battle formation with rosaries in hand, they offered public prayer in reparation and petition, drawing inspiration from the brave witness of Catholic laymen overseas.
From that simple beginning, the Crusade continued month after month, and by December 2024, it joyfully celebrated its third-year anniversary. What began as a small, Spirit-led initiative has grown into a powerful witness of masculine faith and Marian devotion in the public square.
With hearts full of gratitude to the Lord, the Sydney CBD crusade has continued faithfully on the first Saturday of each month for the past three years, come rain, hail or shine. Initially attracting 30 participants as already stated, the numbers have grown steadily, doubling in the early months attracting a consistent number of men. By October 2023, during the 2nd Global Men’s Rosary Crusade, an incredible 1,000 men gathered in Sydney to pray on their knees.
Men of all ages, from all walks of life, with many young fathers bringing their sons to join in prayer, can be seen every first Saturday. The sight of fathers and sons kneeling together in devotion is a moving testament to the faith passed on through generations. In addition, some men travel very long distances from places, such as, the Central Coast and Wollongong to take part. The Rosary Crusade has even welcomed international participants visiting Sydney.
The joy and brotherhood amongst the men, is clearly evident every first Saturday, forging friendships and fraternity that stretches beyond the Cathedral forecourt. One request, from Our Lady, for every first Saturday devotion, is a sincere Holy Confession and to receive the Eucharist in the spirit of reparation. Many men partake in these sacraments. Prior to the Rosary Crusade, confession is available before Holy Mass starting at 12 noon. It is a testament to Our Lady’s call that more and more men are taking up this practice resulting in the Cathedral adding more Priests to hear confessions, to accommodate an increasing number of penitents.
The Rosary Crusade spreads to other capital cities
Melbourne’s Men’s Rosary Crusade started Dec 2022 with around 8-10 men, it has grown to 80-100 men each 1st Sat of the month.
Adelaide Men’s Rosary Crusade: Adelaide in Australia witnessed its inaugural Catholic men’s Rosary rally on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The Rosary rally was held near St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and was preceded by a Holy Mass. Men who participated in the Rosary rally also had the opportunity to go to confession. The Men’s Rosary Crusade is held on the first Saturday of each month at 12.15pm, following 11.30am Mass at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral (Mary Mackillop Plaza). Confession available after mass until 1.00pm.
Perth Men’s Rosary Crusade started 8th Oct 2022, held at Sacred Heart Church, Highgate for the Global Men’s Rosary Crusade, they have continued each 1st Sat of the month since then.
Hobart Men’s Rosary Crusade started 8th Oct 2022, for the Global Men’s Rosary Crusade, they have continued each 1st Sat of the month since then.
Brisbane Men’s Rosary Crusade started 6th July 2024, 1st Sat of the month. St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane
The Brisbane men’s rosary started July 6th, 2024, and has continued every first Saturday since. They started with around 25 men, and consistently average above 20 men every rosary crusade. They pray for the intentions of families and religious, for those that have no one to pray for, and the Church here in Australia, especially in Brisbane.
Canberra Men’s Rosary Crusade started late 2023, 1st Sat of the month. St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra.
The Canberra Rosary Crusade has been actively praying in the forecourt of St Christopher’s Cathedral for just over a year now. It started with only a handful of men praying the rosary but the number of men currently involved is steadily growing with anywhere between 15 and 20 men regularly attending on the first Saturday of every month. The main intention of the rosary is to pray for the Catholic Church in Australia.
NSW – Has 6 Location’s including St. Mary’s Cathedral
Merrylands Men’s Rosary Crusade: A Men’s Rosary Crusade First Saturday devotion has been held at St Margaret Mary’s Parish, Merrylands, since September 2, 2023. Some men who regularly attended the Men’s Rosary Crusade at St Mary’s Cathedral, but were unable to make the monthly pilgrimage to the city requested a local First Saturday devotion.
Since then, a small but loyal group of around a dozen regulars – and occasionally up to 20 or so with visitors from surrounding parishes – have gathered on the St Margaret Mary’s Church forecourt on Merrylands Road after morning mass on the first Saturday of each month.
The format is much the same as at the Cathedral, with a leader and five parishioners who each lead a decade of the Joyful Mysteries. Fellowship over a cuppa and snacks follows in the Parish Pastoral Centre. All men and their brothers, sons, nephews, etc. are welcome to participate!
Parramatta Men’s Rosary Crusade started 4th Nov 2023 with around 15 men, has grown to 20-30 men each 1st Sat of the month. They pray in the park across the road from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. They celebrated the 1st year anniversary last month Nov 2024 with a gathering after the rosary and a talk by Catholic apologist and speaker, Robert Haddad.
Hunter Men’s Rosary Crusade has been active for 1 year and 2 months, Bishop Micheal gave the group his blessing to run a men’s Rosary in August 2023. A group of Catholic men meet for Rosary, Bible study and good works. Their current project is supporting a church that is struggling to stay open, by taking the men’s Rosary to Parish Churches. They are more than a men’s prayer group they are also there to support local men struggling with their faith or generally struggling in their lives. They also ran the first men’s Camino in the diocese in September 2024 and it was very successful.
South West Sydney Men’s Rosary Crusade.
Southern Tablelands of NSW Men’s Rosary Crusade. We started in November last year. A few of us had been travelling across to Canberra for a couple of months before that and decided to start our own group. We have about a dozen regulars, including our 2 priests. Our Lady of Fatima, North Goulburn. 10am every first Saturday. Mass at 9am and confessions available after Mass.
A Movement for the Ages
The Men’s Rosary Crusade continues to grow as a beacon of faith, inspiring men across Australia to gather in prayer and witness to the power of devotion and heed the call of Our Lady at Fatima. As the movement looks to the future, it remains a shining example of faith, brotherhood, and perseverance in the modern world which needs faithful witnesses to the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His most Holy Mother. Here are a few words from one of our members who has attended the Sydney Crusade since the beginning:
“I love the rosary crusade there’s no words to describe how important it is that it was formed. But we need it to grow, I pray that one day the forecourt will be filled with men praying the rosary, not just at St Mary’s Cathedral but in all the cathedrals in the world.” — Matthew
We give thanks to God for all His countless graces and blessings over the 3 years, all glory and honour to Him!!
Please continue to spread the message of Our Lady, pray the Rosary devoutly and be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church. I want to leave you with a quote:
Pope Leo XIII
In every great crisis of Christendom, and every time the Church was afflicted by evils within or dangers without, our forefathers, with their eyes lifted to Heaven in supplication, taught us how and when we should seek for the light of our souls, for the strength of virtue, and for help suited to the need. For deeply engraved upon men’s minds were these precepts of Jesus Christ: “Ask and it shall be given you;” “We ought always to pray and not to faint.” . . . From all this, Venerable Brethren, each one of you may gather how agreeable to us and how commendable is the zeal with which at our suggestion you have spread the devotion to the Most Holy Rosary. – Quod Auctoritate, 5-6.
In Jesus through Mary