• Welcome to Holy Rosary Shrine
    Welcome to Holy Rosary Shrine
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Come, Contemplate with Mary the Face of Christ

Holy Rosary Shrine is dedicated to fostering union with Jesus through Our Blessed Mother and her Holy Rosary. Central to our mission is beautiful and reverent worship, preaching His Word, devotional and evangelization events, and service to those in need. Staffed by the Franciscans of the Poor Christ, we offer extended hours for the Sacrament of Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, retreat days and Franciscan and Marian spiritual formation. The Shrine has a rich history of being home to many different ethnic groups in the "Immigrant City" of Lawrence, Massachusetts which continues to this day.

Thank you

Thank you

Holy Rosary Shrine was awarded a generous grant from the McNeice Foundation in Boston.

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How to Pray the Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary Center & Confraternity. Promoting devotion to the Rosary for more than 500 years.

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Rosarium Virginis Mariae

Rosarium Virginis Mariae

Letter from St. John Paul II about the importance of the Holy Rosary.

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From the Friars: Eagle

I saw something rather interesting the other day while crossing over the ‘Duck’ bridge on my way to the shrine (a daily commute for us now, since our move to Merrimack St). While crossing the bridge at about midway, I couldn’t help but see in the corner of my eye a humongous bird down below. This was no crow, duck or goose. Wanting to get a closer look, I hastily walked back and around the ‘New Balance’ mill and eventually made my way down to the water. It was still there, and as I approached, my hunch proved true. It was an American Bald Eagle! I watched in amazement and as he majestically took off in flight I noticed a snake dangling from its talons.

Picture of a bald eagle flying

Bald eagle, By Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Like a symbol of our fall and redemption, Gen 3:15 came immediately to mind. Upon further reflection, I also considered what inspired our Mexican neighbors to print such an image upon their own national flag. The legend relates that when the Aztecs left their home to look for a place to start a new life they were to look for a lake where an eagle with a snake in its beak would be standing upon a cactus. That would be the place to build their new city. According to traditional Native American beliefs, the eagle flies higher and sees better than all else in creation and is thus closer to God, because it shares in His exalted perspective, which is far above our own. This ‘Master of the Skies’ was considered a messenger of God and had the honor of carrying the prayers of man from the world of Earth to the heavenly realm. St. John, author of the fourth Gospel and the Book of Revelation is often symbolized as an eagle in sacred art.

The eagle has long been a symbol that denotes courage, hope, perseverance, and immortality and has symbolized strength and freedom for the United States since its founding. As the time approaches for our great country to choose its leader, perhaps the Lord has such a message for us: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Is 40:31 As Tuesday approaches, come what may, let us, who also hope to build a new city, trust that the Lord will continue to be with us, for as long as we ‘hope in the Lord’ our strength will be renewed.

God bless America!

–Br. Pio