The annual Rosary Crusade takes place at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston. (File Photo)

On Sunday, Sept. 25, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston, will be the site of the 36th Annual Rosary Crusade for World Peace.  The event, which will take place from 2-3:30 p.m., is sponsored by the Niagara Council of Catholic Women of the Diocese of Buffalo.  "Mother of mercy, pray for us" is the theme of this year's crusade.

Father John Graden, OSFS, director of Embraced by God Ministries, will serve as this year's homilist.  Msgr. J. Thomas Moran, retired pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Youngstown, will be the moderator and Dolores Laurrie of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish, Niagara Falls, will serve as the crusade's chairperson.

Students from Niagara County will recite the rosary.  Knights of Columbus Council 14622 and members of Niagara University's ROTC program will also participate in the crusade.  The Nelson family from St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Niagara Falls, will crown the statue of Mary and the bell choir from St. Peter School, Lewiston, will perform.

The crusade, which is open to the public, will include an outdoor rosary procession, coronation of the statue of Mary, blessing of children and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Pope Francis has bestowed an apostolic blessing upon all participants in this year's event.

Complimentary rosaries will be distributed to all in attendance at the crusade.