The Archdiocese of Manila on Monday disclosed that at least 1,000 lay employees and volunteers of the archdiocese will gather to pray the Holy Rosary next week as it marks the beginning of the Holy Rosary Month.

Episcopal Vicar for Lay Employees Fr. Sanny de Claro said that the event is seeking to encourage the Catholic faithful to make a habit of approaching the Lord through the Holy Rosary.

"This event is in conjunction with the opening of the October Rosary devotion. We wish to promote and encourage everyone to recite the rosary daily especially in the whole month of October," De Claro said.

It will begin on Monday, 3 October, at 8:30 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral. Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will preside the Holy Mass.

The prayers will be done in front of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary de La Naval's shrine image, which recently received a patronage visit in preparation for the feast on 7 October.

To recall, the church in the Philippines first designated October as Rosary Month in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary's feast day on 7 October.

According to Catholic tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary established the holy rosary when she appeared to St. Dominic in the 13th century and gave the rosary along with the request to pray "Hail Mary, Our Father, and Glory Be" instead of reciting the psalms or hymns.