Bishop Robert Barron’s plea for Catholics to pray 10,000 Rosaries this month has already been met. 

“Friends, will you help us pray 10,000 Rosaries in the month of May for those who have fallen away from the faith?” Barron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, said on Twitter recently. “Log your Rosary on our website and join us in this powerful movement of prayer.” 

Barron encouraged everyone who participates in praying the Rosary to record their prayer by filling out a brief form on the Word on Fire website. A world map on the site displays the number of rosaries prayed and their location globally. Donations are optional, and those who contribute $50 or more will receive a handmade Word on Fire Rosary and 10 Our Lady of the Rosary prayer cards to distribute, the Word on Fire website said. The goal of 10,000 prayers has already been reached, it added. 

"In the Catholic Church, of course, May is also the month in which we turn our gaze more intently to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who serves as a powerful intercessor for us in prayer to her son," Barron said. "This month, Word on Fire is starting a simple but powerful initiative that I hope you'll consider. We're challenging people to join us in offering a rosary this month for the intercession of all of those who have fallen away from the church. Our goal is to get 10,000 rosaries prayed across the country and around the world in the month of May."

Within the Catholic Church, May is also called the Month of Mary. It is a time when the faithful focus on expressing their devotion and respect for the Mother of God. They do this in various ways, such as saying special prayers or hosting activities within their parishes. It is also a time for heightened spiritual reflection and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Culture said. 

The Catholic Church has been observing the Month of Mary for several centuries to pay tribute to Jesus’ mother. Its roots go back to ancient Greek culture. It became popular during the Baroque period and initially involved daily spiritual exercises for the entire month. It remains popular today. While the month wasn't always observed in May, it was eventually changed to that month, the National Catholic Register said in a report.