By Mariah Bennett | Staff Writer
Baylor’s Catholic Student Association held its weekly walking rosary on Monday. The walking rosary is open to all and will be held every Monday from 9:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. outside of Memorial and Alexander Residence Halls.
The walking rosary is an event in which attendees pray the rosary around campus with multiple prayer intentions.
Catholic Student Association president and Denver, Colo., junior Afton Tanner said those who haven’t prayed a rosary before or aren’t Catholic are welcomed by the organization.
“We’ve had a lot of people come who are not denominational Catholics … all sorts of denominations, not specifically Christian,” Tanner said.
Tanner said the walking rosary was an opportunity to walk one’s faith on campus, to bless and pray for the campus and to gather as a community in prayer.
John Ungarino — a campus ministry associate at St. Peter Catholic Student Center and the founder of Catholic Student Association’s walking rosary tradition — said he comes back to the event even after graduating because of his love of praying with a community on campus.
“[The walking rosary] definitely facilitates prayer for the university,” Ungarino said.
Before the walking rosary starts, its attendees gather in a circle and state their prayer intentions for that night — including issues like the general conversion of souls to Christianity and Catholicism, COVID-19 and even classes. There are also opportunities for those who are struggling with something to pray for more personal matters.
The organization also gives items beforehand, such as a virtual guide on how to pray the rosary or extra rosary beads.
Catholic Student Association spiritual life officer and San Antonio junior Valerie Davila spoke on why the organization specifically walks around campus while praying the rosary, rather than being still while doing so.
“[Walking] helps us really see and visualize those intentions, especially when it comes to school matters,” Davila said. “Even seeing more students helps us be like, ‘Lord, we pray for them.’”
Davila said she had feelings of nervousness and insecurity coming into the walking rosary for the first time, but now it has become a great time to reflect and pray. She also stated how it could be a way for students to clear their heads before bed or even take a study break.
“The last thing I would think to do on a Monday night would be to pray for other people,” Davila said. “This is a really great reminder.”
Davila spoke on the fellowship that happens with attendees, including going to Andy’s Frozen Custard after the walking rosary.
Tanner said the group is working on its outreach but is mainly reaching out through Connect and the organization’s Instagram.
“Anybody that wishes to pray with us is more than welcome to join,” Tanner said.
