Catholic in and outside of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota have answered Bishop Robert Barron’s call to pray the Rosary this month in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary in a big way.

“Friends, will you help us pray 10,000 Rosaries in the month of May for those who have fallen away from the faith?” Barron said in a tweet he recently posted. “Log your Rosary on our website and join us in this powerful movement of prayer.” 

Barron, the founder of Word on Fire and the bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester urged the faithful to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying the Rosary throughout May. He was aiming to rack up 10,000 Rosary prayers and has already surpassed that goal, according to the Word on Fire website. 

"In the Catholic Church, of course, May is also the month in which we turn our gaze more intently to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who serves as a powerful intercessor for us in prayer to her son," Barron said. "This month, Word on Fire is starting a simple but powerful initiative that I hope you'll consider. We're challenging people to join us in offering a rosary this month for the intercession of all of those who have fallen away from the church. Our goal is to get 10,000 rosaries prayed across the country and around the world in the month of May."

Within the Catholic Church, the month of May is traditionally celebrated as the Month of Mary. During this time, the faithful express their deep devotion and respect for Mary by honoring her in various ways, like through prayer, or activities within their specific parishes. It is a time of heightened spiritual reflection and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to Catholic Culture. 

The Catholic Church has been observing the Month of Mary for several centuries to pay tribute to Mary, the Mother of God. This practice, rooted in ancient Greek culture, was popularized during the Baroque period when it involved daily spiritual exercises for the entire month. While the month wasn't always observed in May, the combination of May and Mary's Month was eventually established. This tradition grew significantly in the 19th century and has continued, according to the National Catholic Register. 

Barron encouraged every participant to pray the rosary and then record their prayer by filling out a brief form on the Word on Fire website. There, a world map displays the number of Rosaries prayed and their location globally. Contributions are also being solicited, though they are optional. Those who donate $50 or more will receive a handmade Word on Fire Rosary and 10 Our Lady of the Rosary prayer cards to distribute, Word on Fire said.