Why October Needs an Ecological Rosary

Five new ecological mysteries have been introduced to the Rosary to encourage prayer for the environment and the poor. These mysteries, titled Wonder, Wounded Earth, Cry of the Poor, Conversion, and Common Home Restored, are inspired by the teachings in Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’.

The introduction of these mysteries coincides with the Season of Creation, which runs from September 1 to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4. According to John Singarayar SVD, the ecological Rosary aims to connect personal devotion to the environmental damage affecting forests, rivers, soils, and human communities.

The new prayer structure addresses the link between environmental degradation and a culture of disposability. Singarayar notes that the mysteries seek to incorporate the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, recognizing that those living in poverty often suffer the most from issues such as pollution and vanishing species.