The Council of Catholic Women at Saint Marguerite Parish in Tooele launched a 35-foot helium-filled balloon rosary on Oct. 18. The event was held in honor of Council Sunday, which celebrates women who support their parishes and communities.
Gracemarie Belvedere, president of the St. Marguerite CCW, stated the idea for the balloon rosary came after she saw a video on Facebook of Pope Leo XIV releasing a similar rosary in Equatorial Guinea in April of this year. Belvedere said the project was intended to represent the gravity and symbolism of the idea rather than for recognition.
To prepare for the event, the CCW sought permission from several entities, including Hill Air Force Base, Dugway, the Federal Aviation Administration, Homeland Security, the Tooele County Airport, and the Salt Lake City Control Tower. To comply with regulations, the group used biodegradable, non-mylar balloons with connecting tails instead of string.
During the release on Oct. 18, CCW members recited the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary in both English and Spanish. Father Kenneth Vialpando, the pastor of Saint Marguerite Parish, blessed the rosary balloon before its release. Belvedere noted that the multilingual gathering exceeded expectations and may become a new parish tradition.
