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.