Photo Credits: Britannica
Written by Manuel Desiderio and Briley Parker
From Dec. 3 to Dec. 12, 2025, students Manuel Desiderio and Briley Parker led a novena rosary prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Leo the Great Catholic University Parish. They said this prayer for the intentions of the world and for peace in our nations. The specific intentions were for the protection of life, justice amid political oppression, migrants, immigrants, and refugees, the oppressed and poor, and for healing, unity, and peace. The prayer service was open for all to join and pray together.
A novena rosary is a type of structured prayer that includes the prayers of the rosary that are prayed for nine consecutive days for special intentions. A rosary is a devotional prayer in which Catholics ask for the intercession of Mary, who prays with us as we bring our intentions directly to God. This novena is a devotional prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Marian apparition of Mary, Mother of God, who appeared in Tepeyac, Mexico in December of 1531. Her feast day is Dec. 12, which is why the novena started on Dec. 3 (9 days before). She is widely honored as the patroness of Mexico and the Americas and is especially invoked in prayer for the protection of life, immigrants, and the oppressed and poor.
Manuel and Briley hope to inspire Catholic communities across the Diocese of Little Rock, especially the communities in colleges across the state. Catholic Campus Ministry and Arkansas Tech University Alumnus, Jacob Moellers said, “It’s so cool and amazing that students are wanting to do something like this. Ever since I started coming around St. Leo’s back in 2018, I can’t remember us ever doing a Novena in the church.”
Catholic Campus Minister, Mary Corkins stated, “I am truly excited that we have students so motivated and inspired by their faith that they felt called to lead the Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena at St Leos. They made history as they were the first students to request and lead a novena at St. Leo’s during my tenure, and they did a beautiful and amazing job with it. To say our young adults are stepping up and being leaders and active in their faith is an understatement with our group of students. Now they are actively finding new ways to practice their faith. It is truly inspiring.” Corkins also stated, “Devotional prayer is a key aspect of our faith, and it can sometimes be neglected due to how busy our lives can get, but it is something we should strive to improve upon. We all know no matter the act, it can be easier to maintain anything if we share it with others. Prayer is definitely something powerful to share with others, so having a devotional prayer with the St. Leo’s community is a great way to do it. I am so proud of our students for wanting to take this on, and even more proud that they want to make it a continuous aspect of our ministry. To say I am inspired by them is an understatement, and I hope that this will inspire others to step up, lead, and find new ways to share our faith with each other. Incorporating devotional prayer with one another is a great way to start.”
St. Leo’s pastor, Father Rajasekhar “Shekhar” Chittem said, “Indeed, I am truly delighted to recognize and appreciate Manuel Desiderio and Briley Parker, along with our Catholic Campus Ministry and youth, for leading this novena rosary in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Their faithful devotion and heartfelt prayers for peace serve as a powerful witness of living faith, inspiring not only our campus community but all who hear of their dedication. May the Blessed Mother continue to guide, protect, and strengthen them, and may their example encourage many more young people to grow in prayer, service, and love for Christ and His Church.”
Students and community members interested in future prayer opportunities are encouraged to connect with St. Leo’s Catholic Campus Ministry.
