Bishop Robert Barron is encouraging the faithful, even those beyond his diocese, to pray the Rosary for the month of May in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary.

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

Barron, who is also the founder of Word on Fire, wants Catholics to say the Rosary to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary this month. In aiming for 10,000 Rosary prayers, Barron apparently set his target low as that number has already been exceeded, Word on Fire said on its website. 

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, Catholic Culture said. 

The Catholic Church has been observing the Month of Mary for several centuries to pay tribute to 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, it was eventually changed to that. This tradition grew significantly in the 19th century and has continued, the National Catholic Register reported. 

"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."

Barron encouraged everyone who wants to participate to pray the Rosary and then record their prayer by filling out a brief form on the Word on Fire website. A world map on the site displays the number of rosaries prayed and their location globally. Donations are optional, and those who contribute $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.