A Rosary for Italy. In this difficult time indelibly marked by the world pandemic, the Italian Church organizes a moment of community prayer. Tonight at 9 pm all Italy is invited to recite the Rosary, the Marian prayer par excellence. The Italian Bishops’ Conference calls for the recitation of the Mysteries of light on the day when the Church remembers St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family.
From the Alps to the Strait and of course with the involvement of the island populations, we are all urged to pray. The symbol of this moment can be either a white cloth or a lit candle, to be displayed on the windows. The recitation of the Rosary will be broadcast live on TV2000.
A Rosary for Italy to invoke the protection of Mary and Saint Joseph
“I support the call of the Italian bishops who in this health emergency have promoted a moment of prayer for the whole country.” Thus Pope Francis who adds: “Every family, every faithful, every religious community, all can be united spiritually in the recitation of the Rosary with the Mysteries of light. We turn to Mary, Mother of God, health of the sick, with the prayer of the Rosary.
All under the loving gaze of St. Joseph, custodian of the Nazareth Family and our families”. The Pontiff underlines the act of entrustment to the saint. “We ask him – reiterates Pope Bergoglio – that he protect our family in a special way, our families. In particular the sick and the people who are taking care of the sick. We ask him to guard the doctors, nurses, volunteers, who risk their lives in this service”.
Italian Church thanks Pope Francis for his closeness to the whole nation
Italian Church, with the religious, priests and the community of the faithful, thanks the Holy Father for his closeness to the Italian nation in this dramatic moment of its history. “The solidarity shown by Pope Francis – the bishops remarked – becomes a reason to support and encourage prayers and walk together. In this moment of suffering, the community prayer of the Rosary will be an invocation and supplication for the Father’s mercy to free us from this pandemic“.
“From our homes – says Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian episcopal conference – the supplication of his children is raised to the Father, so that the Lord, good and merciful, will give the strength of his Spirit to doctors and health workers. To enlighten the researchers, guide the rulers, give vigor to the bodies of the elderly and children. Let us pray that our Lord will remove the fear and give everyone, especially the sick, the consolation of his Son Jesus”.
A Rosary for Italy: Churches of other nations participate in the initiative
The Chaldean Catholic Church, through the express will of Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, will spiritually join the initiative of the Italian Church.
This sharing adds to the solidarity expressed by many other Episcopal Conferences around the world. Among these are the Eastern European Churches, which ensure their proximity to Italy facing the great tribulation.
#Italyintheheart
