AN ANNUAL prayer procession which was launched by a seriously ill Holy Cross parishioner is to be held for the 57th time in the town centre to continue his legacy.

Led by Bishop Rev. John Rawsthorne, mayor and mayoress Cllr Joe and Sylvia Pearson and other clergy,

the St Helens Annual Family Rosary Procession takes place on Sunday, October 1 at 3pm.

Participants should assemble in Church Square at 2.45 pm.

Following local, national and international prayer intentions, the Procession will pass through the town centre reciting the Holy Rosary, ending with a Benediction service at St Mary’s Lowe House.

The vast majority of the Procession takes place on pedestrian or pavement areas with road crossings being made as far as possible at controlled pedestrian crossings.

Starting at Church Square, this year’s route proceeds up Church Stand Ormskirk Street, turning into Barrow Street and then Victoria Square.

After crossing over on to the town hall piazza, it turns left along Corporation Street, crossing over into College Street, then round the YMCA corner into North Road and from there continues until just before Ward Street, crossing over North Road and Volunteer Street, arriving at St. Mary’s, Lowe House Church.

All those whose faith embraces the practice of reciting the Holy Rosary are invited to attend and participants are reminded to wear suitable clothing and footwear for the weather on the day.

All children and young people are to be accompanied by and in the care of a parent or guardian. Any wheelchair participants are asked to wear appropriate protective clothing and should ensure their safety belt is secured.

The St Helens Annual Rosary Procession dates back to the late1950s, when the late Holy Cross parishioner, Martin Byrne, was seriously ill and pledged in prayer that if he recovered, he would ensure that an Annual Rosary Procession was initiated in the town.

This so transpired and the tradition has carried on unbroken ever since with Martin's legacy living on in the form of the Procession.