Setting Captives Free More than 23,500 rosaries prayed during October for an end to human trafficking

By Monica Lichtenberger

COLORADO SPRINGS. The ACT for Freedom Now Second Annual Rosary Appeal ran from October 1-31. All Catholic organizations and Catholics were encouraged to pledge and pray rosaries and fast throughout October to end human trafficking and pornography; to build strong, holy families to protect the innocence and purity of children; and to protect all who work in the fight against human trafficking. Many Colorado Springs Diocese churches, schools, religious communities, men’s groups and women’s groups, ministries, Bible and rosary groups participated as well as individuals. Individuals outside our diocese and from 11 other states besides Colorado joined in the mission to pray and fast to end modern slavery.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Colorado Springs surpassed last year’s total of 9,907 rosaries, acquiring 10,442 rosary pledges. Barbara Sullivan orchestrated the St. Francis activities which included: the deacons leading rosaries before all weekend Masses in October and parishioners leading rosaries after weekday Masses; ministries, such as the Knights of Columbus, prayed the rosary before meetings or events and three traveling blessed Mary statues journeyed weekly to different homes. (One 4-year-old, upon returning the statue of Mary, begged his mother, “Mommy, can we keep her another week?”). Another man who said he would fast from cursing, decided to also take a Mary into his home. Upon return, he and his friend both acknowledged dramatic improvement in his word choices.

Three new parishes participated in the Rosary Appeal: St. Patrick logged 2818 rosaries, Holy Trinity secured 2,118 and St. Joseph obtained 1723. These Rosary Appeal events were spearheaded by Janet Galyardt, Cindy Dronnenberg and Joanne Mayne, respectively. When Father Gus Stewart was approached to start an ACT for Freedom Cenacle at St. Joseph, he was fully on board. Of course, a complementary Chick-fil-A lunch helped to gain his emphatic, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” — “Yes”, to starting an ACT for Freedom Now Ministry; “Yes”, to the October Rosary Appeal; and “Yes” to parishioners leading rosaries before all Masses and including the intention to end human trafficking . . . and more. Father Gus said, “There are ministries and then there are really important ministries like fighting to end human trafficking and pornography. What priest could say no to this ministry in their church?”

Mini celebrations were held in November at the participating churches, thanking all who participated in the Rosary Appeal. Children received miniature statues of Mary or Jesus. Adults received blessed Miraculous Medal necklaces or laminated cards with the 15 Promises of Mary for praying the rosary. At the ministry tables, parishioners shared multiple blessings and graces received during the month of October. Churches reported blessings, such as five non-Catholics pledging to pray “a” rosary. One non-Catholic said his friend showed him how to pray the rosary during the deacon-led rosary before Mass. One Catholic woman said she had never prayed a rosary and pledged to pray a single rosary. The Rosary Appeal coordinator took the time to give her a rosary and then taught her how to pray the rosary.

Two new schools also supported the Rosary Appeal this year: St. Gabriel Classical Academy and St. Mary’s High School. Holly Goodwin, Principal at St. Gabriel, said teachers tracked rosaries for each classroom that eventually totaled 269. St. Mary’s Principal Seamus McGuire had a Marian display set up in the reception area and reported 255 rosaries were prayed. The student body in both schools took time to pray the rosary together during school time. “This is such an impactful movement,” McGuire said. Karen Shannahan, principal of St. Peter School in Monument, sent a note home asking families to pledge the number of rosaries they would pray in October. In addition, families and children were encouraged to fast. Fasting ideas suggested on the form were, “giving up sweets, soda, TV, cartoons, a video game, talking bad about another student, not sharing . . .” Students committed to 356 rosaries and 303 fasts (last year 201 fasts were pledged). What a great way to introduce to our young people this spiritual discipline. Principal Shannahan remarked, “As long as I am principal, this (the Rosary Appeal) will be on my ministry plan for October at St. Peter”.

Fasting increased 888%. In the first year 2024, 304 incidents were pledged and this year 3,004 fasts were logged. ACT For Freedom Now emphasized fasting in 2025 as some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29).

Religious communities, the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration and Medical Sisters of St. Joseph returned for a repeat performance. A Rosary Appeal newcomer is Damiano Apostles Inc., lay Franciscan volunteers at Citadel Franciscan Center, pledged 450 rosaries, according to Corey Davis.

There were many rosary groups, Bible groups, men’s and women’s groups throughout our community that participated. Another newbie to the Rosary Appeal was Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court No. 1794. Christine Million related that 223 rosaries were pledged. At St. Peter Parish in Monument, Elaine Martinez, coordinator of the “To Jesus through Mary” ministry, and Peggy Ocken, who made several trips to the Springs to deliver handmade rosaries, conveyed that 3,356 were prayed. This doubled the 1600 rosaries in 2024. The rosaries supplied churches, nursing homes and schools with handmade rosaries from this ministry.

ACT for Freedom Now will never know the results from the 23,519 rosaries prayed and the 3,004 fasts. We will not know how many people, especially children, were saved from being trafficked; how many traffickers were converted; or how many consumers stopped using pornography due to our prayers. We will also not know how many workers were kept safe or have “peace of mind” from things they cannot erase from their memories. What we do know is that the rosary is powerful and when coupled with fasting, reaches its full effectiveness. God answers every prayer. So, keep on praying every day. Pray, pray, pray and fast to end this pandemic!

To start a ministry or schedule a presentation on human trafficking awareness; parental tools to protect youth; preservation of innocence (for youth); or pornography’s destruction of love (for adults) notify ACT for Freedom Now. Send an email to team@actforfreedomnow.com or call/text 719-440-0171.