A prayer initiative of the WorldPriest association. It has been held for nine years on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus occurs. The initiative takes place in more than 150 Marian shrines and parishes all over the world.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The recitation of the Rosary to stimulate priestly vocations all over the world, to support the work of priests and to implore the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This is the initiative that takes place today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Bandra (Mumbai district), from 6 pm to 7 pm (local time). The basilica is part of the "Global Rosary Relay", which unites more than 150 parishes and Marian shrines of 50 countries around the world.
The recitation of the Rosary at a global level is an initiative of WorldPriest, an association of priests and laity founded in 2003 by the entrepreneur Marion Mulhall in response to the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests instituted by Pope John Paul II. It takes place every year on the day when the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus occurs. This year is the ninth edition and involves the participation of thousands of people gathered together to implore the intercession of the Virgin.
The organizers explain that, according to the time zone in the different countries, the recitation began at midnight today, June 8th. With a schedule that varies every half hour, the recitation of the Rosary is ensured in sanctuaries all over the world for all 24 hours of the day.
Msgr. John Rodrigues, rector of Bandra, explains that Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Indian Bishops 'Conference (Cbci), welcomed the organizers' request. "We will have the recitation of the Rosary from 6 to 7 pm, followed by Eucharistic adoration". Then he recalls that "in the basilica there is also a relic: a drop of blood of Pope John Paul II, given to us [by the former] apostolic nuncio, Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio in memory of the visit that the Holy Father made here in 1986 ".
According to the organizers of WorldPriest, prayer represents "an opportunity to raise our hearts to God for all priests in the exercise of their ministry [...] We want to thank God for our priests and implore the protection and loving care of Mary , Mother of all consecrated ".