World Mission Rosary

Pray for the whole world.

Five mysteries. Five regions. One world held in prayer.

Stained-glass world map with Africa green, Oceania blue, Europe white, the Americas red, and Asia yellow — **AfricaOceaniaEuropeThe AmericasAsia**

Created by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen in 1951

Each decade holds a different region of the world in prayer as we contemplate the mysteries of Christ with Mary. Together, the five decades embrace people in every nation.

“We must pray, and not for ourselves, but for the world.”
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, introducing the World Mission Rosary in 1951

World Mission Rosary

The five colors

Every Rosary moves through the regions in this order. The colors guide the mission intention and are not liturgical colors.

1 · GreenAfricathe continent's forests and grasslands

2 · BlueOceaniathe vast waters surrounding the Pacific islands

3 · WhiteEuropethe home of the Holy Father, who is clothed in white

4 · RedThe Americasthe fire of faith carried by missionaries

5 · YellowAsiathe light of dawn rising in the East

Choose the mysteries

Luminous Mysteries

Or choose another mystery set

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen as a young priest

Created by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen in 1951

A missionary vision for the whole world

Fulton J. Sheen was a Catholic bishop, missionary leader, and pioneering evangelist. In 1951, he created the World Mission Rosary so that each decade would embrace a different region of the world in prayer. His vision continues whenever we pray for the whole world.

Photo details

Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · Wikimedia Commons · Public Domain Mark 1.0.