It is being billed as Southern California's largest outdoor rosary prayer in 50 years.

Martin Sheen will attend and read scripture during next weekend's event at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena; Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, will preside.

Scheduled speakers and guests also include a Rwandan genocide survivor, America's first Filipino-born bishop, the worldwide leader of the Knights of Columbus and a former gubernatorial nominee.

The Rosary Bowl, "A World at Prayer is a World at Peace: A Rosary Celebration," takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. May 19.

The event "to pray the timeless prayer of the Rosary for peace in our world," the Web site states is free to the public, though tickets will be needed for entry and can be ordered online at http://www.rosarybowl.org, via e-mail at info@rosarybowl.org or by calling 800-874-0999, ext. 22. Rose Bowl parking fees are $15 per car and $40 per bus, though $35 bus parking passes are available by e-mailing or calling The Rosary Bowl headquarters.

This multicultural event is being organized and sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries of Easton, Mass., and its local member, Family Theater Productions, in Hollywood, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

The worship and praise segment of the program runs from 6 to 7:20 p.m. and will feature music and inspirational talks. That will be followed by the banner and Eucharistic processions, adoration, prayer of the Glorious Mysteries, with the "Hail Mary" prayed in 55 languages, a homily by Mahony and benediction.

Inspirational speakers include Bishop Oscar Solis, vicar for ethnic ministries for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Immaculée Ilibagiza, international humanitarian and author of "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust"; and Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus, who leads the worldwide Catholic men's fraternal benefit society of 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members.

Other Rosary Bowl participants include award-winning actor and humanitarian Martin Sheen, who will announce the Glorious Mysteries and read the scripture reference for each mystery; actress and former Miss Mexico Jacky Bracamontes; and actor Eduardo Verastegui, star of the film "Bella," which won the top People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival

Veteran Los Angeles broadcaster Stan Chambers will make the opening introductions and former gubernatorial candidate William Simon and Christian recording artist Sue Ann Pinner will emcee the event.