ARCHBISHOP Eamon Martin has appealed for families across Ireland to pray the Rosary together daily this month to seek "God's protection during this time of coronavirus".
Dr Martin said he had been inspired to call for the family Rosary crusade following a visit to the Missionaries of Charity in Armagh.
They reminded him that Mother Teresa once said: "Cling to the Rosary as the creeper clings to the tree - for without Our Lady we cannot stand."
October is traditionally dedicated as the month of the Rosary because the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary falls annually on October 7.
"These past six months have reminded us of the importance of the 'domestic church' - the church of the sitting room and kitchen, the church that meets every time a family stands or kneels down, or sits down to pray together," said Dr Martin.
"It has also helped us realise how important is the vocation of parents to be the primary teachers and leaders of their children in faith and prayer.
"That is why I am calling for a 'family Rosary crusade against Covid-19' during October - encouraging you to pray the Rosary, or even a decade of the Rosary, each day during the month of October.
"Pray for your own family and loved ones and for all those whose health or livelihood is being seriously impacted by the coronavirus crisis."
The Archbishop said he wanted "to spread the word online".
"Using the #FamilyRosaryCrusade or #OctoberFamilyRosary hashtags, please feel free to share a picture or a short sound clip of your family saying a 'Hail Mary', 'Our Father' or 'Glory Be' on social media."
The Catholic bishops are making resources available at www.catholicbishops.ie to support the family Rosary crusade.
