In May, the torchlight rosary with the Mater Ecclesiae return to St Peter’s Square

During the month traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Peter’s Basilica invites faithful and pilgrims to take part in the torchlight rosary in St Peter’s Square, with the image of the Mater Ecclesiae.

Every Saturday in May 2026, the torchlight rosary will be held in St Peter’s Square with the image of the Mater Ecclesiae, venerated in the Vatican Basilica. The gatherings will offer faithful and pilgrims a time of prayer and devotion, accompanied by the light of torches and the communal recitation of the Holy Rosary.

The prayer meetings will take place on Saturdays 2, 9, 16 and 23 May 2026, transforming the Square into a space of Marian prayer open to all. The presence of the image of the Mater Ecclesiae will recall the Church’s entrustment to the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and model of faith.

The initiative forms part of the spiritual journey of the month of May, inviting the faithful to experience the prayer of the Rosary as a moment of communion, contemplation and entrustment to Mary’s maternal protection.