Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
Thousands converge on downtown Phoenix Oct. 12, 2014, to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in rosary prayer at the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration. (Billy Hardiman/CATHOLIC SUN)
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Arizona Rosary Celebration Photos on Flickr
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Photos by Billy Hardiman. Reporting by Joyce Coronel.
[dropcap type=”4″]T[/dropcap]hey came by the busload to implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some 6,000 local Catholics poured into the Phoenix Convention Center Oct. 12 for the colorful pageantry of the annual Arizona Rosary Celebration.
Dozens of matachine dancers arrayed in their traditional ceremonial dress beat drums as they performed in the afternoon sunshine just outside the convention center doors.
The procession included the missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which was then carried inside the convention hall for veneration. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares addressed participants in the event in both English and Spanish.
