Giant rosary inspires prayer in Scotland

A giant rosary has been made by school pupils in Bellshill, Scotland, to mark the launch of a new prayer campaign.

The rosary measures around four feet in diameter and is complete with tennis ball-sized beads and a two-feet crucifix.

The colourful creation was made by staff and pupils at Cardinal Newman High School as part of efforts to inspire the faithful to say daily prayers.

The Year of Faith Mission Rosary campaign will see over 100,000 normal sized rosaries sent out to Catholic parishes and schools across Scotland.

The rosaries are accompanied by easy-to-follow instruction cards for adults and school pupils.

Father Tom Welsh, director of Mission Matters Scotland, said the campaign was being launched "at a time when the country and the world need prayer, and the benefits it brings, both at home and on the missions, as never before".

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who blessed the large-scale rosary said: "We are all called to prayer and this campaign fits in well with Mission Matters Scotland, which follows the great and proud tradition that we have as a nation of missionary work, when it invites us to pray a little every day, both for this country and for the missions."