Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez announced on May 22 that a teenager, Joshua Brewer, has completed a rosary park at St. Bernadette Parish in Palm Beach. The announcement came after Bishop Rodríguez administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to around 40 young people and three adults at the parish on May 17.
The new rosary park is intended as a place for prayer and reflection for parishioners and visitors. Bishop Rodríguez said he was surprised when Brewer invited him to bless the garden after the ceremony, expecting only a small landscaped area but finding instead what he described as “a true park.” According to Bishop Rodríguez, “What Joshua created, with the support of his parents, Jason and Jessica, was a remarkable plaza in which every bead of the holy rosary is represented through carefully carved circular stones embedded into a granite pathway. Each mystery and each decade of the rosary is identified through beautifully designed metal markers that are both elegant and easy to read. The entire park is laid out in the form of an open rosary, allowing visitors to pray the rosary prayerfully as they walk along the path and symbolically step upon the beads of the sacred mysteries.”
At the center of this new space stands an image of Our Lady of Grace brought from California by Brewer’s family specifically for this project. Bishop Rodríguez compared Brewer’s efforts to those of Carlo Acutis, saying: “Through his determination, hard work, and extraordinary spirit of faith, Joshua reminded me so very much of Carlo Acutis.” He also encouraged other young people and their families to visit St. Bernadette Parish: “I would like to invite all the young people of our parishes and schools, together with their families, to visit St. Bernadette Parish and experience this beautiful Rosary Park for themselves… Once there, pray the holy rosary together and offer it for the young people in your own families.”
Bishop Rodríguez congratulated Brewer on his accomplishment: “I wholeheartedly congratulate Joshua for this wonderful accomplishment,” he said. He also praised Brewer’s parents for supporting their son’s project: “I also warmly congratulate Jason and Jessica for the beautiful family they have built.” In addition, he thanked Rev. Antony López for supporting Brewer throughout this process.
In closing remarks addressed directly to readers who may wish to share their thoughts about these developments or similar projects within their communities or parishes going forward—Bishop Manuel welcomes comments via email.