Maiden Rosary Congress in Ghana “grace filled” Encounter with Mother Mary: Global Rosary Network Founder

In his October 9 address following the prayer of the Holy Rosary, Fr. Paintsil noted that the Church has recorded only two Rosary Congresses in its history — the first in Poland in 1979 and the second in the United States in 1988.

“This current one in Ghana marks the third Rosary Congress,” said the Ghanaian-born member of the Clergy of Ghana’s Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese currently serving in the Diocese of Davenport in Iowa, USA. 

He added, “This maiden Rosary Congress in Ghana will go into the annals of the history of the Catholic Church in Africa and the Universal Church at large.”

Encouraging participants to embrace the event with faith and joy, Fr. Paintsil said, “Be joyful, be confident and trust in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Participate fully and actively throughout the activities and you will be blessed.”

Fr. Paintsil, the founder of “Behold Thy Mother Ministry,” an initiative that, together with the Global Rosary Network, promotes Marian devotion through digital media, distributed 5,000 rosaries to participants.

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Credit: Fr. Emmanuel Chigaekwu/Yendi Catholic Diocese/Ghana

Among those who addressed the participants during the October 9 opening convocation was Monsignor Christopher Bazaanah, former Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Tamale and current Parish Priest of St. Monica Nyankpala Parish.

Mons. Bazaanah acknowledged the presence of Archbishop Philip Naameh of Tamale and Bishop Francis Bomansaan of Wa, who graced the maiden Congress.

In his presentation on “The History and Promises of the Holy Rosary,” Mons. Bazaanah traced the origins of the Holy Rosary to the early monks who prayed the 150 Psalms. 

He described the Rosary as “a powerful and popular traditional Catholic prayer in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the singular and ultimate aim of leading us to a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ – her Son.”

Credit: Fr. Emmanuel Chigaekwu/Yendi Catholic Diocese/Ghana

Reflecting on the role of prayer in promoting peace, the Ghanaian Monsignor cited Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation that October, the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, be observed through daily prayer for peace in the world.

“We need prayer more than ever,” he said, and continued, “Look at what is happening in Ukraine and Russia. Look at what is happening in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel. Look at what is happening in Ghana, especially in Bawku and Gbiniyiri. So, we need to be on our knees praying for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, so that God through His Son, who is the Prince of Peace, may confer His peace on us.”

Mons. Bazaanah encouraged the people of God to take inspiration from the promises of the Blessed Virgin Mary to those who faithfully pray the Rosary. “May the 15 promises of our Mother Mary be a source of encouragement to all of us to pray the Rosary regularly for the glory of God and for our own sanctification,” he said.

Credit: Fr. Emmanuel Chigaekwu/Yendi Catholic Diocese/Ghana

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The Rosary Congress tradition began in Poland in 1979 as a continuous chain of Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary prayer for peace and renewal in the Church. 

It spread to the United States, where the second Congress took place in 1988. Rosary Congresses are organized to foster Marian devotion, intercede for peace, and deepen the spiritual life of the faithful. The Ghana Congress, held in the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope, is the first of its kind on African soil.

Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric of Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese contributed to this story.

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