“What was the inspiration for Men’s Rosary Crusade?” “Was there a specific moment or experience that pushed you to take action?”
These two questions are closely interlinked and both are answered below.
During the 2021 lock-downs, we were locked out of our churches, we realised that as a Christian society we had lost territory at an alarming pace, especially in the seven or so years prior. Some of us men, from the Croatian men’s group “Knights of the Precious Blood” got together to discuss what could be done. The predominant notion that came to mind was that the initiative to start something, it needed to begin with us, for if not us, then who? And if not now, then when? It’s time to repent and turn back to our Lord through sacraments, prayer & fasting in reparation for our sins and for the sins of our society. The intention is for the reparation of sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As a country we turn back to God and that our Churches are re-opened without any restrictions.
From this the Initiative: “Holy Rosary Crusade of Reparation – Wake up Australia and turn back to God” was launched. The initiative was open to the wider community (men and women). It started with the Assumption novena – 6th Aug 2021 along with a 54 Day Rosary Novena. The Assumption novena concluded on the Feast of the Assumption Aug 15. We continued with a daily rosary (54-day rosary novena) and acts of penance in reparation until October 7, the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary – with weekly personal pilgrimages to our local Churches (or daily for those that could). (Recall: August 19, 2021 Sydney siders were restricted to an area of not greater than 5km from home.) The goal was to make reparation and to witness to the larger community, calling all to repent and to turn back to God. We knew we could only gain conversions, if we all repent and turn back to God. Praise be to God on October 11, 2021 Sydney was released from lock-down.
It was during organising for this initiative, that we stumbled across a picture of Polish men praying the rosary in public on their knees. I believe it was during our September 2021 men’s breakfast meeting which was held via Zoom (due to the lock-downs). We shared the photo with the men in our online meeting, of the Polish men praying on their knees and one man from the meeting asked, why can’t we do the same? The response was good question, yes, why can’t we? We decided from that meeting to organise the 1st Men’s Rosary Crusade here in Sydney. The date was set for Saturday 18, Dec 2021.
The very first Men’s Rosary Crusade took place on a sweltering Saturday, December 18, 2021, in the forecourt of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Around 30 men—young and old, from various cultural backgrounds—gathered in humble obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Kneeling in battle formation with rosaries in hand, they offered public prayer in reparation and petition, drawing inspiration from the brave witness of Catholic laymen overseas.
At the end there was true joy in the air among the men, with uplifted souls, they felt they had been part of something special. The Rosary crusaders were truly filled with the Holy Spirit, and gave glory to God and showed their devotion to our Queen and Mother. All the men agreed to continue this on a monthly basis and agreed on the 1st Saturday of each month. The first one for 2022 would be the 1st Saturday in February, 5th Feb 2022.
“Why the Rosary, and why in public spaces?”
From the inception of the Knights of the Precious Blood, back in 2015, we saw the need to promote prayer and the rosary devotion amongst men. It was the picture of the Polish brothers praying the rosary in public, that inspired us to do it publicly too. There was no debate, we just knew it needed to be a public act. St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt was also chosen as an appropriate area, also without debate. I believe it was the Holy Spirit leading us, as it just felt right and a necessity.
“Why do you think it’s important for men to pray publicly today?”
Though many Catholics migrated and live in Australia a culture of public prayer, processions have not been the norm in Australia’s 200-year history. Though Australia was founded on Christian principles and values (mainly the Protestant Church of England). The Christian identity in modern times has declined very dramatically and is seen by our politicians and institutions as something to be ashamed or avoided. Our government and corporate heads praise and support those of every other creed, but very few Christianity. This mixed in with a culture of practicing Catholics, who aim to be meek and humble of heart, but not wanting to cause problems in a majority protestant and now post-modernist society, the Church and its faithful remained enclosed and limited in their places of worship. We are glad to say this has begun to change over the last 10 years, in Sydney, at least. We believe what the Church has always taught, that men are called to spiritual leadership of their families; we need to lead by example. Men praying on their knees out in public is a powerful witness of the Catholic faith to the wider community. We have come to personally realise this, after doing it for a number of years ourselves. The impact it has made on many people is quite remarkable.
“Do you think masculinity and faith are disconnected in modern culture?”
Undoubtedly, though this is nothing new. The attack on the family has been raging since the beginning of time, though begun to be quite formidable since the 20th century. Did not our Lady, come to Fatima to warn us? The attack on the faith is to attack the family, and to tear down the family, its head must be neutralised ie: the father (aka the patriarch). Whatever people’s views are the truth of the matter is a family without a patriarch/father is prone to attack, destruction and disorder. How much more effective if the image of the Father is present though his ability or desire to lead, protect and love is neutralised. Would not the devil revel in this humiliation of not only the individual, but of God’s intended order? The fulfillment of masculinity and male spirituality is fatherhood. Are men not asked to lead those in their care of influence? How can one protect, serve and love those in their personal sphere best, if not in surrender and worship to Love itself? This is why we aim to foster an environment for men to grow, participate and learn to lead. We aim to change the stereotype of the rosary being seen as only a devotion for women, but one for all the faithful, and especially men who can lead souls to heaven. In Australia, men praying on their knees publicly as a group was unheard of, especially men promoting the 1st Saturday devotion publicly. Our mission is to grow the devotion and in the process arm men with what they need to reinforce their spheres of influence.
“What has been the reaction of other men when they see this?”
As we were inspired by our Polish brothers, we have heard that some of our pictures and videos have inspired others around Australia to start, there are now 13 locations around Australia that we know of, men publicly praying the rosary. We have also heard that some overseas men were also inspired by our example, praise the Lord!! I have seen men from the wider community turn up to the men’s rosary crusade, men that I would never thought would turn up to such an event. The men see the men’s rosary crusade as something masculine something manly, something that they want to be part off.
“Did you expect this movement to grow the way it has?”
When we started, we only had the first one in mind, at the end of the first one all the men agreed on continuing it on a monthly basis every 1st Saturday with no end date or time limit set. We had no plans or discussions about promoting it, the men’s rosary crusade groups around Australia organically started themselves, some asked for our assistance to help them on how to start their own.
In April 2025 men from various men’s rosary crusade groups around Sydney and Newcastle, held a combined meeting to discuss on how we can work together to better promote the Men’s Rosary Crusade movement around Australia. As a result of the meeting the “Australian Men’s Rosary Crusade” website was launched. The logo was adopted and we started plans for a inaugural men’s retreat for men who pray the rosary publicly, with the theme being “The Triumph of Her Heart”, it was held on 17th Jan 2026, to read all about it click here.
“Have you seen lives change through this initiative?”
Absolutely, we have seen men’s lives changed. At the end of each month’s rosary crusade there is joy in the air, also brotherly love is evident. Men taking up the 1st Saturday devotions and going to confession on a monthly basis, also promoting the rosary amongst other men and within their families. We were advised by people that the Cathedral needed to assign more priests to hear confessions on 1st Saturday’s.
“Do you have any powerful testimonies or stories you can share?”
One of the more striking examples we had a guy man attending the men’s rosary crusade for a few months decided to go to sacrament of Confession for the first time after 30 years! This may not sound like much, but for one soul to seek God’s mercy in the confessional is a blessing we all rejoice in. Who knows how many other lives have come into a state of grace and relationship with Christ.
Another recent example we had a young man join us in prayer; it was a day when we were experiencing rain during the rosary. He was not deterred by the rain and knelt in prayer all the way through, during the rain he even offered his own jacket to the man next to him who was only wearing a t-shirt. After the rosary, we learned that he was unbaptised, he was drawn by the public witness of men in prayer, he also said he was looking for good male role models as he did not have any, he asked for a rosary because he would like to start praying and does not have one. We gave him a blessed St Michael’s rosary with the book “The Rosary My Treasure” and encouraged him to read it and join us next month. He said he will be joining us from now on, praise the Lord!!
“What challenges or resistance have you faced?”
The challenges we faced have been primarily weather extremes on occasions, our first one was a blistering hot day over 40 degrees, then the next year we had a torrential downpour, but none of which deterred the men. There were no complaints, only joy afterwards. In hindsight, these were blessings as it was more of a sacrifice and bore more fruits, the video of us in the torrential downpour went viral and inspired other men to start.
“Have you ever felt discouraged or afraid to continue?”
I can’t recall ever being discouraged or afraid to continue, the thought of not continuing has never crossed our minds. We have been focused on promoting it more and encouraging other men to join us, as each month is a blessing.
“How do people react in a city like Sydney?”
The majority look and keep walking whilst others look again or stop and look with some curiosity. Perhaps they are not used to seeing a large group of men on their knees praying. Lot’s take photos, others join in prayer with us from the side. We have had the odd provocative gestures but these have been the exceptions.
“What message are you trying to send to the world through this?
Our Lady of Fatima’s message, encourage men to lead the way and engage in public prayer, reparation, repentance, and sacrifice, and the abandonment of sin, the 1st Saturday devotion. “Do not offend the Lord our God anymore, because He is already so much offended”— Our Lady’s last words at Fatima.
“What does the Rosary mean to you personally?”
The rosary is my constant and faithful companion, I wear it around my neck, pray it daily, feel lost without it. It helps me stay focused on our Lord and our Lady; it brings the mysteries of our salvation to mind every day and the family together daily in prayer. It’s our favourite family prayer.
“Why do you think the world needs this right now?”
To turn back to God, repentance, reparation, sacrifice and the abandonment of sin. The Catholic men of the world need to lead the way, it’s our call and duty!
