Bishop Frank J. Dewane was a special guest of Relevant Radio – the largest Catholic radio network – which hosted a live national broadcast on Feb. 18, 2025, of the “Family Rosary Across America” in conjunction with Ave Maria University and Ave Maria Parish.
The special broadcast, hosted by Father Francis J. Hoffman (best known as “Father Rocky”), executive director and CEO of Relevant Radio, was intended to pray for Pope Francis and for his recovery from his current serious illness, for unity and peace in our families, in our country, in the Church, the Holy Land and throughout the world.
During the broadcast, Bishop Dewane led the praying of the rosary, while Father Rocky described the Sorrowful Mysteries (used each Tuesday on the program). Those present, including leaders and students at Ave Maria University, were able to offer their prayer intentions, forgoing the usual option of taking prayer intentions from callers across the country.
Bishop Dewane also offered his own prayer petition, “I’d like to pray for the priests throughout this Diocese of Venice, that the Lord continue to guide them, to bless them, to fill their heart when they have loneliness – or some challenge – that He be present there for them.”
Father Rocky estimates that between 50,000 and 100,000 pray the rosary in that half hour, daily at 8 p.m. (EST) on 223 AM/FM stations, with about 40,000 watching the livestream in their homes. Many of the listeners are on the west coast, where it broadcasts at 5 p.m., the peak of rush hour.
“The more people praying the rosary at the same time, the more powerful the prayer,” Father Rocky said.
This was the fourth time Bishop Dewane has joined Father Rocky in the “Family Rosary Across America” broadcast. The first time was for a special joint broadcast with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, of Minneapolis – St. Paul, which took place in March 2022 from St. Isabel Parish in Sanibel. That broadcast also included an interview with the two guests. The second time occurred on Ash Wednesday, in February 2023 from Ave Maria and the third time was February 2024, also from Ave Maria.
Bishop Dewane said it is always an honor to be asked to participate and lead the praying of the rosary.
Relevant Radio can be heard on 106.7 FM and 1410 AM in Fort Myers and 93.3 FM and 1660 AM in Naples and is also available online at https://relevantradio.com/.
Bishop Dewane has a monthly radio show “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane,” which can be heard on Relevant Radio at 8:30 a.m. on the last Friday of each month. The next broadcast is Feb. 28 and will include a discussion about the upcoming Lenten Season. Outside of the listening area, access to the program is available at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/relevant-radio-podcasts.
