OXFORD | The day was gloomy, plagued by persistent rain, accentuating the feeling of loss for so many on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2. But just 30 minutes before Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cemetery’s first rosary walk for souls, the storms paused, allowing roughly 100 faithful people to pray for their loved ones.
“I thought this was a very nice touch for a new cemetery. And we were amazed at the number of people who did show up, considering the rainy weather,” said Harold Tinkler who participated with his wife, Lorraine. The St. Mark the Evangelist parishioners traveled from Summerfield to remember friends and family who left this earth with the hope of eternal life.”
“It was very, very unique and very touching and I think it was a perfect way to acknowledge all souls,” Harold said.
Lorraine recalled doing rosary walks in Europe — at Fatima, Lourdes and Pietrelcina — but never in her own country.
“It’s wonderful that the cemetery came up with this idea.”
The couple lost several friends this year and were trying to remember everyone. The Tinklers are part of a monthly Communion service at some of the nearby senior living facilities where they pray the rosary. They remind everyone about the indulgences available for those who pray the rosary, so they might help their loved ones get out of Purgatory.
Although the couple does not have anyone they know buried in the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cemetery, Lorraine noted, “You just felt like you were praying for all who are there right now. It made it even more powerful.”
Those assembled began at the center plaza and slowly moved around the cemetery, stopping to pray before the crucifix at the entrance where bronze statues of the Blessed Mother and Mary Magdalen stand.
It was the first time Stephen Scungio and his wife, Linda, of St. Timothy Parish in Lady Lake participated in something like this. “The cemetery is beautiful. I think they did a phenomenal job, really nice. I lost my mother and I was thinking about her quite a bit there and thinking about all my family and friends who passed before me… it was very nice, very spiritual, very relaxing.” He lost his father 44 years ago on All Hallows’ Eve. He said he felt “connected” to him that evening. He added, “I told my mother that I’ll pray a Hail Mary for you and I know she’s praying. I know she is.”
Deacon Santos Arroyo, who led the rosary, spoke of the importance of praying and how the dead can intercede for us.
“It’s important we have a life of prayer first and foremost. And when we pray, we pray for all sorts of things, but most importantly we pray to God and we ask for the intercessions of all the angels and saints, and our loved ones who have also gone on to the next existence, eternal life, because it doesn’t end with death,” the deacon said. “We believe our souls continue to thrive in the presence of God, in the presence of Jesus. This is our goal, to love Him, to serve Him, and to worship Him with all our hearts, because without God in our hearts, we have nothing — our lives are meaningless. It’s important we continue to worship and give Him all the glory. We pray for all souls, especially the souls of our family members, because we believe that they can intercede on” “our behalf also when they’re in the glory.”
Sandra Plano, a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul in Wildwood, was moved by the rosary walk. “We’ve lost some very important people in our lives, my husband and I. We just felt this would be the best way to communicate, to pray for them.”
The Planos lost their only child two years ago, a brother and parents over the last decade. Plano was struck by the kindness of those present and felt it was “divine intervention” that the rain stopped in time.
Travis Oberlies, cemetery manager, hopes the rosary walk will” “become an annual tradition. “All Souls’ Day is at the very heart of why Catholic cemeteries exist. We’re not simply caretakers of property; we’re caretakers of sacred ground and the memories of those entrusted to our care. This event allows us to come together as a community of faith to pray for our loved ones, honor their lives, and remember death is not the end of the story. Every family has someone they love and miss. Whether a loved one is buried here, in another cemetery, or halfway around the world, everyone is welcome to pray, remember, and unite in faith.”
He believes what makes the rosary walk special is that grieving families are surrounded by friends, neighbors, parishioners and the Church.
“As the candles are lit and the rosary is prayed together, you will feel the connection between faith, family, and the Communion of Saints… All Souls’ Day gives us a special opportunity to gather as one family of faith.” He hopes participants left knowing “their loved ones are never forgotten. Through prayer, we continue to honor those who have gone before us and entrust them to God’s mercy.”
By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, November 5, 2026
