By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | Here’s a challenge with a heavenly payoff: Pray the rosary for 54 days straight.

That’s what Archbishop Thomas Wenski is asking South Florida Catholics to do by joining the National 54 Day Rosary Novena, which begins this Saturday, Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption, and concludes Oct. 7, the feast of the Holy Rosary.

“Archbishop Wenski is inviting you to join him and hundreds of thousands of people of all ages in prayer across America,” said an invitation from the Archdiocese of Miami sent via email by the Ministry of Evangelization and Parish Life.

The novena is being prayed for three particular intentions, explained Stephen Colella, the archdiocese’s cabinet secretary for Parish Life: 

• For the family and marriage, especially during the World Meeting of Families and the next Synod on the Family set to take place in October in Rome;
• For the U.S., especially for peace, the sanctity of human life, and religious freedom; and
• For the Archdiocese of Miami, especially to support the continued implementation of the strategic pastoral plan, "Disciples in Faith, Missionaries of Hope" — that’s the plan that came out of the second archdiocesan synod, which concluded in October 2013.

The 54 Day Rosary Novena is the brainchild of the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate, whose episcopal advisor is Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee. The group’s aim in launching such a challenge: as a witness and “message of hope in response to the spiritual crisis in our culture and nation.”

The novena is divided into 27 days for petition, Aug. 15 through Sept. 10, and 27 days for thanksgiving, Sept. 11-Oct. 7.

Participants are encouraged to pray the rosary individually, with friends or spouses, in homes, schools, parishes, parish-based groups and ministries.

They also are invited to register with the Archdiocese of Miami to let the Office of Parish Life know how many will be participating. Those who register also will receive updates with links to additional information and resources to help them take part in the 54 Day Rosary Novena.

“Mark your calendars and help spread the word,” said Colella. He added that, a few days after the email invitation went out, more than 300 people had signed up, promising to pray the rosary daily.

Update: As of Sept. 1, Stephen Colella reports that over 500 individuals had signed up for the challenge, along with over 1,000 who were doing it as part of parish groups, movements or with their schools.