32,000 Rosary decades offered for Pope's UK visit

(Sept.07,2010) Over 32,000 rosary decades and 11,500 Masses will be offered for Pope Benedict XVI's Sept. 16-19 visit to the United Kingdom. The Catholic International Charity “Aid to the Church in Need” reported that its prayer and action campaign for the intention of the Pope's visit has seen an enthusiastic response. Neville Kyrke-Smith, the national director of the aid agency's U.K. branch, said, "Whilst there has been much negativity in the secular media about the visit of Pope Benedict, it is a fantastic sign of faith that the friends of Aid to the Church in Need, have renewed their commitment to pray for the Holy Father and the suffering Church. He noted that the spirit of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be beatified during the Pontiff's visit, is very much alive. He said, "Our hope is that prayer will continue, in support of the proclamation of the Gospel in today's challenging world.
"Supporters, who requested to have Masses said for the intentions of the Pope will have their names written in a commemorative book, which will be presented to the Pontiff on his visit. Stipends for these Masses will be used by the aid agency to help priests in countries experiencing persecution or other forms of suffering.