What are the Cenacles of Life and How to Join

Rosary Prayer Campaign Forming in Catholic Church Parishes

Oct 27, 2009

Catholic Church parishes can form Cenacles of Life to pray the rosary to further the pro-life movement in America.

Catholics have often turned to the power of praying the rosary when a miracle is needed. Now Catholic parishes across the United States are using the power of praying the rosary to cultivate a greater respect for life in America.

What are Cenacles of Life?

The Cenacles of Life are prayer groups dedicated to the cause of life. According to the Cenacles of Life website, there are two meanings to the word “cenacle.” In the first place, it references the room where Jesus and his apostles ate the Last Supper and where the apostles met with the Virgin Mary to pray after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Simply stated, a cenacle is a prayer group.

The Cenacles of Life national prayer campaign was founded in 2007, according to the May/June 2009 Celebrate Life article, “The Hidden Power of the Rosary: Cenacles of Life,” by Marion Amberg. The goal of the group is to put an end to what they've terms a "culture of death;" they pray for an end to practces like abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, cloning and assisted suicide.

The Pro-Life Prayer Campaign Spreads

The goal of Cenacles of Life is to have at least one cenacle praying the rosary for the pro-life movement in every diocese across the nation. Cenacles of Life has groups meeting to pray the rosary at Catholic churches across the country, although they have not yet achieved their ultimate goal. “As of March [2009], more than 113 Cenacle groups were meeting in 60 dioceses, which is almost one-third of the nation’s 195 archdioceses and dioceses,” according to Amberg.

Barbara Barnes helped organize the cenacle that is sponsored by the Thursday Morning Bible Study Group at St. Francis De Sales Church in Kilmarnock, Virgina. Barnes said she read Amberg’s article and was moved to form a cenacle at her church.

“I asked the Thursday Morning Bible Study group if they'd like to do it,” Barnes explained, adding, “and Father James Bruse was very supportive, so we started October 15, [2009.]” Barnes said they have about eight people who participate each week.

How the Rosary Prayer Campaign Works

There are some guidelines for the prayer campaign. “Praying the two rosaries before the Blessed Sacrament is essential for a Cenacle, along with fasting one day a week, if at all possible,” Barnes explained. Every cenacle meeting consists of praying two rosaries, or 10 mysteries, which are preceded by a Prayer of Offering for the rosaries.

The Cenacles of Life website recommends that the rosaries be offered up with fasting one day a week on bread and water. Alternatives for fasting for the elderly or sick include giving up a favorite activity for the day. The prayer group agrees to meet at least once a week.

How to Form Prayer Groups

Barnes said she was moved to form a cenacle because, “the culture of death must be stopped! Our Blessed Mother keeps telling us at Medjugorje, ‘Pray, Pray, Pray!’” As the national prayer campaign continues, others may find that they are called to organize a group at their church.

Those who are interested in forming a cenacle at their church can begin by contacting their parish priest for permission. Once permission is granted, check out the Cenacles of Life website for prayers and information or contact Cenacles of Life, P.O. Box 7003, Paso Robles, CA, 93447.

The Cenacles of Life are dedicated to supporting the pro-life movement in America. Praying two rosaries once a week and offering up one day of fasting per week are the main guidelines for cenacles. Those who want to join the national prayer campaign should contact their parish priest for permission. More information is available on the Cenacles of Life website.