Pakistani children pray to Our Lady for "peace and unity"

(Oct.20,2009): In Pakistan, the local Church joined the initiative "One million children praying the rosary", launched by the Venezuelan Council for the Laity and celebrated on Sunday (Oct.18) throughout the world. Explaining the initiative, the organisers said that the world needs peace and unity. The campaign refers to the words of St. Pio of Pietrelcina or Padre Pio, 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, which has led to a long trail of bloody attacks. It has also been the scene of many acts of violence against minorities, carried out in the name of the blasphemy law. This is why the children prayed to Our Lady for peace and unity in the country. The recitation of the rosary in the diocese of Faisalabad and other areas of the country was held on Sunday morning At the end of the function Fr. Yousaf Yaqub, of the parish of St. Paul in Hajveri said that children are the most affected because of the war. He told Asia News - “The day of prayer celebrated on Sunday is significant because it makes us an integral part of an international community, who recite the rosary for peace in the world. I am sure that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, in the end peace will win,” the priest added.