A confluence of events is happening in 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 will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and they invite all parishes to join in this consecration. Note that this is happening 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, 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. At the 4th Degree level, 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 are promising to not only be faithful Catholics, but also faithful citizens. We are loyal to both God and country.

So, as a rosary maker, the Holy Spirit is speaking to me, loudly this time. I've had so much success and happiness in my life when I just allow the Holy Spirit to do His work. And with all of the above situations playing out in the Spring of 2026, I've 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 will not only follow the red, white, and blue color scheme, but each one will also have a centerpiece dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (I've found three such centerpieces that I really like). So far, I've also hung an American flag on each one. As I write this in April of 2026, I'm not yet done with the series. I'll share photos below as I complete each one. Note also that I don't yet know what I'll do with these rosaries when I'm done. I may donate them to a specfic group or individuals, or I may just make them available for anyone to obtain. No matter what happens, I hope to still do something that benefits this scholarship fund. I'm still listening for that guidance.

Stay tuned...