Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen loved the missions. And he wanted us to pray for our mission family. So in 1951 he created the World Mission Rosary. He saw the need for us to pray for the whole world, especially for those who are poor and vulnerable at home and overseas.
 
The word mission means “to be sent out.” A missionary is someone who is sent out to bring the Good
News of Jesus to others.
 
The Mystries in the rosary continue to remain the same, as each set of beads on the World Mission Rosary is a different color.
· Yellow is for Asia, where the sun rises first each day
· Red is for the Americas, where missionaries journeyed, “on fire” with faith in Jesus
· White is for Europe, home to the Pope, clothed in white
· Blue is for the islands of the Pacific, surrounded by the ocean waters
· Green is for Africa, with its many trees and plants.
 
To pray the World Mission Rosary, think about each area of the world when you start a new set
of beads. Archbishop Sheen, used to say that when you had finished praying the World Mission Rosary, you have given the world a “great big hug”! What a great gift to give your brothers and sisters in the missions!
 
Some World Mission rosaries may have the colors arranged differently, but all use the same 5 colors to represent the different areas of the world where the Church is spreading the Good News of Jesus.
 
Missionary spirit begins with prayer. Every person is able to offer prayers. Prayers lead to sacrifices.
Every person can offer up suffering, temporary or chronic, for those who suffer daily in mission lands.
Every person can give up something with the intention of sacrificing for the missions.
 
Remember:
DAILY PRAYER is the best way to make a real difference in the lives of children all over the world!
The World Mission Rosary is an excellent way to pray for the missions.