by Sarah John

The local Church has joined the initiative "One million children praying the rosary", launched by the Venezuelan Council for the Laity and celebrated yesterday throughout the world. They seek an end to “bombs and destruction". Priest of Faisalabad:” illiteracy, lack of food and discrimination" are "crosses" that they must bear.

Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - "Every day on television we see images of bombs and destruction. We do not want it to happen again, so we prayed the rosary. " Sharoon, 10, of the diocese of Faisalabad, emphasizes the spirit that has driven many children in Pakistan to join the initiative "One million children praying the rosary," launched by the National Council for the Laity of Venezuela, celebrated yesterday throughout the world.

The initiatives organisers explain that the world needs "peace and unity." Praying to God leads to the discovery of the true faith, faith brings love, love, in mutual service, which is a source of peace. The campaign refers to the words of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, who once said how "the recitation of the rosary by a million children" could bring "many graces throughout the world."  

Pakistan is the centre of a military conflict between the Taliban and the army in the north-west, of a long trail of bloody attacks and the scene of many acts of violence against minorities, carried out in the name of the blasphemy law. This is why the children have asked, in their intentions, for peace and unity in the country. "People are always at war," says Mariam, 14. "We're scared. We ask Our Lady to convince them to stop fighting. " "It's great - she adds – to recite the rosary at home in the evening. We sit and pray with our parents".

The recitation of the rosary in the diocese of Faisalabad and other areas of the country began yesterday morning at 9. At the end of the function Fr. Yousaf Yaqub, of the parish of St. Paul in Hajveri (pictured with a group of children), recalled that "children are the most affected" because of the war. "They – he told AsiaNews - must bear many crosses: illiteracy, lack of food, discrimination." The day of prayer celebrated yesterday is significant because it "makes us an integral part of an international community who recite the rosary for peace in the world and I am sure that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, in the end peace will win."

 

 

• pakistan
• children
• prayer
• faith
• peace
• rosary
• faisalabad