Within the Catholic Church, October is traditionally dedicated to the holy rosary. Overbrook Catholic School celebrated this dedication to the holy rosary throughout the month in many ways, including an all-school rosary procession, the creation of a 20-decade "flat rosary," and participation in Pope Leo XIV's Global Rosary for Peace. 

"The patron saint of Overbrook Catholic is St. Dominic, who is credited with spreading devotion to the rosary as a way to teach the life of Christ through its mysteries," said Sister Marie Blanchette Cummings, O.P., principal of Overbrook Catholic School. "Inspired by his example, we strive to teach the students the importance of this form of prayer and how to pray it properly. It is such a joy to see even the youngest students make the connection of praying the rosary as a gift to Mary our Mother, just as they might give roses as a gift to their own earthly mother.”   

On Oct. 1, Overbrook Catholic students in grades first through sixth processed around the OCS track while praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Sixth-grade girls and boys led the prayers with their own reflections on each mystery.

"[The Glorious Mystery of Jesus’ Ascension] reminds us that Jesus wants us in heaven right next to Him," said sixth-grader Avery Towns. "We pray that all experience this love and show our love for God by following His commandments and spreading His word."

Additionally, several sixth-grade boys led the procession, carrying the crucifix, candles, and a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

In addition to praying the rosary aloud as a school community, OCS students were given the opportunity to pray for OCS families using paper -- "flat" -- rosary beads during visits to the school's chapel throughout the month. The light blue Hail Mary beads each featured an Overbrook Catholic family name written on it. The dark blue Our Father/Glory Be beads contained other special intentions, such as praying for the Overbrook Catholic School Board: Mother Anna Grace Neenan, O.P., prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, and the General Council of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. 

"We prayed for Overbrook families, faculty, and staff. It made me feel good to pray for them, even the names I didn't know, and to know that the school was praying for my family, too,” said OCS fifth-grader Luke Neu.

By the end of the month, OCS students, faculty, and staff had completed a 20-decade Rosary.  

Answering Pope Leo XIV's call to pray a global rosary for peace in our world, which fell on OCS's Parent/Teacher Conference Day, Overbrook Catholic held a perpetual rosary in the school's chapel. Students and parents were invited to stop into the chapel to pray the rosary before or after their conferences, and a Dominican Sister was always present in the chapel to keep the rosary going throughout the day.  

Through each of these experiences, Overbrook Catholic School students, families, faculty, and staff joined together in prayer and reflection, deepening their devotion to Mary through the mysteries of the rosary. The month-long celebration served as both a spiritual enrichment and a reminder of the school’s Dominican heritage — rooted in prayer, study, service, and community — continuing St. Dominic’s mission of sharing the love of Christ through the rosary.