Jerusalem’s Rosary Way 25 years old

WelCom May 2020:

Sue Seconi

Forty parishioners from the Catholic parish of Whanganui – Te Parihi Katorika Ki Whanganui travelled to Jerusalem along the banks of the Whanganui River on Sunday 15 March 2020. They journeyed to mark 25 years since the Rosary Way was established in the grounds of St Joseph’s Church at Hirihārama-Jerusalem. The Rosary Way is a set of Rosary prayer stations placed along a path under the gaze of a statue of Mary.

It was fitting that Emeritus Bishop Peter Cullinane journeyed with the group as Bishop Peter had blessed and opened the Set of Stations when they were established in the grounds 25 years ago. Also, this year is the Diocese of Palmerston North’s 40th year since it came into being in 1980 and when Jerusalem was designated as one of two places of pilgrimage for the new diocese.

When parishioner and Legion of Mary member Ted Downs visited Aylesford Carmelite Priory outside London and saw the Rosary Way there in the grounds he set about erecting the same here. The stations were originally positioned along the shady path between the church and orphanage at Jerusalem.

Recently, the stations were removed and bought back to Whanganui to be repainted, rotten boards replaced or new images inserted, then returned anew to Jerusalem. Parishioners adopted a station paying $25 each to fund the renewal.