A confluence of events happened in early 2026, causing me to make a series of rosaries.

▶ First, this year is the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. I've been pondering a simple idea to make a red, white, and blue rosary to celebrate, but I didn't know exactly what that would mean or what it might look like. It was just an idea.

▶ Second, the USCCB announced that it was joining the celebration by lifting up the contributions of Catholics and the impact of our faith on the history of this country. In a historic moment, the U.S. bishops consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and they invited all parishes to join in this consecration. Note that this happened the day before our annual celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Details of this event are available in the USCCB program titled, "We Hold These Truths."

▶ Third, along with all of the U.S. bishops, Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay, where I live and worship, released a video about the event, specifically inviting all of us in the diocese to pray to "turn our country back to Jesus." Details of this announcement are available in his April 29 letter.

▶ Fourth, I became a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus on Saturday, April 11, 2026. As we Knights achieve each of our four degrees, we focus on one of our four core principals. I've been a knight for 22 years, but have just now earned the 4th degree, where we learn about and make promises related to patriotism. We discuss all of the incredible contributions of Catholic leaders in the United States; leaders like Fr. Michael McGivney, Christopher Columbus, and St. Katharine Drexel. We promise to not only be faithful Catholics, but also faithful citizens. We are loyal to both God and country.

So, with all of that excitement in mind, what's a rosary craftsman to do? The Holy Spirit is speaking to me, loudly and clearly. I've had so much success and happiness in my life when I just allow the Holy Spirit to do His work and guide my hands. As such, here in the Spring of 2026, I decided that instead of just making a simple red, white, and blue rosary, my first faithful act as a 4th Degree Knight will be to make this series of nine rosaries, a novena of rosaries if you will, to commemorate this incredible year and all of the Catholic leaders who have contributed.

These rosaries not only follow the red, white, and blue color scheme of our flag, but each one also has a centerpiece dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I also decided to hang an American flag on each one.

These rosaries were blessed by Fr. Jim Baraniak, O. Praem. at the 7:30am Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in De Pere on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the same day as the national consecration.