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Join Archbishop John and the Cathedral clergy in praying the rosary every Friday at 5pm throughout Lent

St Oscar Romero said “the world will always be in need of prayer and of Mary”, adding that there is “no chain more beautiful for joining the world with God than the chain of the holy rosary”.

Praying the rosary is a beautiful way to deepen your relationship with the Lord Jesus, as his Blessed Mother takes you by the hand and draws you to our Lord’s heart.

That is why, this Lent, you are invited to join Archbishop John Wilson and the St George’s Cathedral clergy to pray the Romero Rosary every Friday at 5pm at St George’s Cathedral.

Archbishop John will personally lead the devotion at the National Shrine of St Oscar Romero at St George’s Cathedral on Ash Wednesday (18th February 2026) at 5pm, and again on Friday 6th and Friday 27th March.

Inviting people to pray the Romero Rosary throughout Lent, Archbishop John said:

“Every Friday during Lent, we will be praying the Romero Mysteries of the rosary and I would love for you to join us. Whoever you are, whatever your background, please come.

“The rosary is an incredible gift to us and for Romero it was an incredible strength. At times of struggle, he held onto his rosary and he prayed. So let’s gather together, asking his intercession, but turning to Our Lady that she might draw us closer to Jesus, to the mysteries of his life and to the teaching of his saving Gospel.”

On all other Fridays during Lent, the Cathedral clergy will lead the rosary. Every Friday, the rosary will serve as a lead-in to the Stations of the Cross at 6pm at the Cathedral.

The Archdiocese of Southwark is proud to be home to a national shrine to St Oscar Romero, which holds relics belonging to the martyred saint.

You can buy the Romero Rosary book, which also contains reflections on the traditional Mysteries, as well as the new Romero Mysteries, online at PaulineUK.org or at St George’s Cathedral every Friday before the devotion.

Find out more about the Romero Rosary at rcaos.org.uk/romerorosary

For parishes wishing to promote the Romero Rosary devotion, please use the newsletter insert below and download this poster.

The mysteries of the Romero Rosary, written by Archbishop John Wilson:

The Mysteries of Charity reveal the command of the Lord Jesus to show unconditional love for every person, something which every disciple is called to put into practice.

1. The Lord Jesus Teaches Love for Enemies - St Luke 6:27-31
2. The Lord Jesus Gives the Great Commandment - St Matthew 22:34-40
3. The Lord Jesus Calls us to Imitate the Good Samaritan - St Luke 10:25-37
4. The Lord Jesus Washes his Disciples’ Feet and Gives the New Commandment - St John 13:1-16, 31-35
5. The Lord Jesus Recommissions the Apostle Peter - St John 21:1-19

The Mysteries of Compassion and Mercy exemplify the tender-hearted attitude and teaching of the Lord Jesus, which we are called to embrace and live out in daily life.

1. The Lord Jesus Calls Matthew the Tax Collector - St Matthew 9:9-13
2. The Woman Anoints the Feet of the Lord Jesus - St Luke 7:36-50
3. The Lord Jesus Encounters the Rich Young Man - St Mark 10:17-22
4. The Lord Jesus Meets the Woman Caught in Adultery - St John 8:1-11
5. The Lord Jesus Teaches About the Prodigal Son and the Forgiving Father - St Luke 15:11-32

The Mysteries of Justice and Peace illustrate the mission of the Lord Jesus to foster love, justice, and peace – signs of God’s kingdom which we are called to bring to life.

1. The Lord Jesus Speaks in the Synagogue at Nazareth - St Luke 4:16-22
2. The Lord Jesus Imparts the Beatitudes - St Matthew 5:1-12
3. The Lord Jesus Calls Zacchaeus to Conversion – St Luke 19:1-10
4. The Lord Jesus Teaches about the Final Judgement - St Matthew 25:31-46
5. The Risen Lord Brings the Gift of Peace - St John 20:19-21

Newsletter insert for parishes

Pray the Romero Rosary at St George’s Cathedral. Join Archbishop John Wilson and the Cathedral clergy in praying the rosary every Friday at 5pm throughout Lent. This is a beautiful opportunity to draw closer to the Lord Jesus in prayer. Archbishop John will personally lead the devotion at the National Shrine of St Oscar Romero at St George’s Cathedral (SE1 6HR) on Ash Wednesday (18th February) at 5pm, and again on Friday 6th and Friday 27th March. On all other Fridays during Lent, the Cathedral clergy will lead the rosary, followed by the Stations of the Cross at 6pm. Let the rosary connect you to the Lord Jesus this Lenten season. Find out more at: rcaos.org.uk/romerorosary