Gathered together in prayer with
Mary the Mother of Jesus
Thousands of people joined the approximately 130 persons
gathered in the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens to recite the Rosary with
Pope Francis on the last Saturday of the month of May.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
Pope Francis united with thousands of people throughout the
world sought the Blessed Mother's help to end the coronavirus pandemic. The
Pope along with about 130 gathered at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican
Gardens. Thousands of others prayed with them as they watched and listened
through television, radio and digital platforms. As they prayed, images of
numerous Marian shrines throughout the world appeared on a large screen at the
Vatican Lourdes Grotto and on the screens of those connected for the event.
The intentions for the Rosary
The first Glorious Mystery was led by a doctor and a
nurse in the name of all the medical personnel dedicated on the fronts lines in
the hospitals for doctors, nurses and all medical personnel.
The second Glorious Mystery was led by a person who has
recovered from the virus and a person who lost a family member to
represent those who have been personally affected by the virus for the
intention of all military personnel, security forces, fire fighters all
volunteers.
The third Glorious Mystery was led by a priest who is a
hospital chaplain and a woman religious who is a nurse to represent all of
the priests and consecrated persons who are near those who are suffering from
illness for the intention of priests and consecrated persons who bring the
Sacraments and a word of Christian comfort to the sick. We were reminded that
some of their number have lost their lives in serving their communities.
The fourth Glorious Mystery was led by a pharmacist and
a journalist to highlight those who continued to provide their precious service
for the benefit of others during the time of pandemic. The intention for this
mystery was for the dying, above all those dying alone, for those who have
died, and for the families who still mourn their deaths.
Lastly, the fifth Glorious Mystery was led by a member of
the Italian Civil Protection service with his own family, to represent all
those whose work is directed toward managing this crisis as well as the world
of volunteers who never failed to bear witness to charity. The second half was
led by a young couple who recently had a baby, a sign of hope and of the
victory of life over death. This mystery was prayed for all those who need
to have their faith and hope strengthened, for the unemployed, for those who
are alone and all the babies who have come into the world.
Other highlights
At the beginning and at the end of the recitation of the
Rosary, Pope Francis prayed the prayers he suggested be used to accompany the
Rosary throughout the month of May. After extending his apostolic blessing, the
Pope said a few spontaneous words acknowleding those connected from the Shrine
of Our Lady of Guadalupe and other Latin American Shrines: "To all of the
shrines in Latin America – Guadalupe and many others – who are connected with
us, united in prayer, I greet you in my own mother tongue: thank you for being
near. May Our Mother of Guadalup accompany us!"
Approximately 50 shrines were connected throughout the
moment of prayer. They included the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico,
Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, Our Lady of Lourdes in France, the Immaculate
Conception in the United States, Walsingham in England, Our Lady of Pompeii,
Divine Love and Pietrelcina in Italy, Our Lady of Lujan in Argentina, Our
Lady of Knock in Ireland, Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, St Mary of the
Angels in Assisi, Notre Dame in Canada and the Basilica of the Annunciation in
Israel.
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