Pope marks first Saturday of May with Rosary

(May 5, 2008) According to Pope Benedict the Rosary is not a practice of the past, an outdated prayer. Rather, the devotion is going through a new springtime growing into an eloquent sign of the love that young people nurture for Jesus and Mary. The Pope made the observation while addressing a large gathering of faithful at the Marian sanctuary of St. Mary Major in Rome where the Holy Father had gone on Saturday evening to mark the first Saturday of May, the month dedicated to Mary. This prayer, the Pope explained, helps us to put Christ in the centre, like the Virgin Mother did, meditating in her heart on all that her Son was doing and saying. With Mary, the heart is orientated to the mystery of Jesus, which helps us to purify our life from numerous negative forces. In fact, the Pope pointed out, when prayed in an authentic manner, the Rosary bring us peace and consolation. Speaking a week ahead of the May 11 feast of Pentecost, the Pope urged all to gather around Mary in prayer, invoking a renewed pouring of the Holy Spirit and imploring peace in the world, unity among Christians and dialogue among cultures.