Every day since Jan Marie Shannon opened Tilma, a religious-goods store in Berea, Ohio, she has invited customers to pray the Rosary with her.

Each October, patrons also recite a public Rosary in front of her little brick shop, as part of the “America Needs Fatima” initiative.

Shannon considers her store to be an apostolate as much as a business. She named Tilma for the cloak on which Our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted her image when she appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531.

As Tilma’s 20th anniversary approached, Shannon resolved to observe it in a meaningful way. At the same time, she and others felt a growing concern about problems in America.

The Rosary was a natural choice. Even before she opened Tilma, Shannon had organized bus trips to EWTN. Travelers prayed the Rosary together during the long rides from Ohio to Alabama.

So the storekeeper sought and received permission from the Cleveland Diocese to hold a “Rosary Rally” to pray for the United States. On Sunday, June 5, the faithful filled most of the 1,200 seats in St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Cleveland from 2 to 4 o’clock. The Rock AM 1260, Cleveland Catholic Radio, aired the Rosary Rally for listeners at home.

Each person entering through the cathedral’s holy door received a prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas.

Because the cathedral is a site for Year of Mercy pilgrimages, participants also received the jubilee indulgence if they fulfilled other requirements, such as making a good confession, receiving the Blessed Sacrament and praying for the Pope’s intentions.

The rally began with a procession led by more than 20 Knights of Columbus, including one carrying a banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Deacon Ken Meade reflected on the event’s purpose. “We need supernatural help,” he told the gathering. “We need the help of our patroness.”

Deacon Meade recalled Our Lady of Fatima’s admonition to pray for peace during the dark days of World War I and her prediction that, eventually, Russia would be converted. For many years, those who hated the Church persecuted believers. Today, however, the faith is spreading in Russia.

“And so we see the power of prayer,” Deacon Meade said. “Our Lord will surely answer our prayers when they are made through the intercession of his Mother.”

Father Sean Ralph, the cathedral administrator, presided over the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and priests from around the diocese led participants in the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Between mysteries, a choir or a soloist sang hymns.

The multigenerational crowd maintained a reverent atmosphere throughout the two-hour rally, which included Benediction.

In closing remarks, the Benedictine Father Paschal Petcavage reminded rally attendees that the Blessed Mother gave us the Rosary to bring us closer to God and to stave off the wiles of Satan. He urged the crowd to use this powerful weapon to pray for the United States: “That may very well be the salvation of our country."