Bishop Robert Barron has reached out to Catholics across the country to join in his diocese’s effort to pray the Rosary for the month of May in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary.

“Friends, will you help us pray 10,000 Rosaries in the month of May for those who have fallen away from the faith?” Barron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, said in a recent tweet. “Log your Rosary on our website and join us in this powerful movement of prayer.” 

In choosing 10,000 Rosary prayers as the target, Barron apparently set his sights low as that number has already been exceeded, Word on Fire said on its website. 

"In the Catholic Church, of course, May is also the month in which we turn our gaze more intently to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who serves as a powerful intercessor for us in prayer to her son," Barron said. "This month, Word on Fire is starting a simple but powerful initiative that I hope you'll consider. We're challenging people to join us in offering a rosary this month for the intercession of all of those who have fallen away from the church. Our goal is to get 10,000 rosaries prayed across the country and around the world in the month of May."

Within the Catholic Church, May is celebrated as the Month of Mary. During this time, the faithful express their devotion and respect for the Mother of God by honoring her in various ways, such as special prayers or activities within their parishes. It is a time of heightened spiritual reflection and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Culture said. 

The Catholic Church has been observing the Month of Mary for several centuries to pay tribute to Jesus’ earthly mother. This practice is rooted in ancient Greek culture. It became popular during the Baroque period and initially involved daily spiritual exercises for the entire month. While the month wasn't always observed in May, it was eventually changed to that. This tradition blossomed in the 19th century and continues today, the National Catholic Register said in a report. 

Barron encouraged everyone who wants to participate to pray the Rosary and then record their prayer by filling out a brief form on the Word on Fire website. A world map on the site displays the number of rosaries prayed and their location globally. Donations are optional, and those who contribute $50 or more will receive a handmade Word on Fire Rosary and 10 Our Lady of the Rosary prayer cards to distribute, Word on Fire said.