Tom Michalek of St. Michael in St. Michael, stands with a rosary, praying with his family Aug. 15 at Leif Erickson park, with the State Capitol in the background. The gathering of more than 200, led by people taking turns at a bullhorn, also included Michalek’s wife, Melissa, and their seven children. Pictured with Michalek are Sabrina, 12, and Jonathan, 11, in the foreground; Molly, 6, in the stroller, and 1-year-old Noah. JOE RUFF | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

More than 200 people, many bearing signs and posters with the Blessed Virgin Mary’s image, and each one holding a rosary, prayed for more than an hour at a park near the State Capitol in St. Paul Aug. 15 as they began a 54-day rosary novena for peace and healing in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, racial tensions and political divisions.

Organized by Justin Stroh of All Saints in Lakeville, who put together a Facebook post https://www.facebook.com/groups/15mysteries and encouraged participation, the gathering on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary included individuals and families, young and old. Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis also encouraged participation in his Aug. 13 Only Jesus column in The Catholic Spirit.

Tom Michalek, 43, traveled 40 miles to the park from his parish, St. Michael in St. Michael, with his wife, Melissa, 40, and their seven children. They came to pray “for the chaos in our world and the conversion of sinners,” Michalek said.

That chaos includes political and racial distress and the impact of the novel coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19, he said.

A 16-year-old youth from All Saints in Minneapolis, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Joseph, said he and some of his friends came to support the faith and pray for a U.S. culture that seems to be deteriorating. They carried a large banner depicting the Virgin Mary.

“We came to pray to Our Lady to help in our world and to show we honor her and love her,” he said.

The 54-day novena ends Oct. 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Bishop Cozzens pointed out in his column. “Our Lady of Fatima, who called herself Our Lady of the Rosary, has given us this powerful weapon — not for destruction, but for peace — and she has invited us to pray it daily for the healing of the world,” the bishop wrote.