INSIDE THE CHURCH: Catholics are to pray the Rosary throughout the month of May. On Friday, May 13, 2011, in Rome, Italy, Pope Benedict XVI issued a special call to pray the Rosary during May, the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The pontiff made the call at the conclusion of his May 11, 2011 General Audience. He said “everyone to intensify the pious practice of the Holy Rosary, especially in this month of May dedicated to the Mother of God.” In continuation, he said “I invite you, beloved young people, to value this traditional Marian prayer, which helps us better understand and assimilate the central moments of the salvation wrought by Christ.” For the sick he advised them “to turn with confidence to the Virgin through this pious exercise, entrusting all your needs to her.” And for all he advised to “make the recitation of the family Rosary a time of spiritual growth under the gaze of the Virgin Mary.” In the same way, Bishop Jorge Luis Lona of San Luis, Argentina, asked the faithful to pray the Rosary; he said that the “repetitive rhythm of praise and supplication, is like a sort of spiritual breathing,” ; that “God gives us an immense aid. In order to be able to recognize and receive his gifts, he teaches us to practice praise and supplication,” He said: “In Mary, we praise the gift of God, God himself who gives us Jesus Christ. And through her, we pray to be able to receive him now and at the doorstep to eternity.” Bishop Lona further said: “It is the gift of the simplicity of a child who learns to recognize and attain what is good at the side of his mother who loves him and in whose love he trusts. This is the gift that God gives us each time we pray the Holy Rosary,” The origin of May devotion as we have it today might be sketchy, there is no doubt that it might have started in Italy as a private devotion to Mary and from 16th century Catholic spiritual fathers devoted all the months of the year to special devotions. However, in the 18th century a Jesuit priest, Father Lalomia started with his students in the Roman College Society the practice of dedicating the month of May to Our Lady. This singular act was to generate enormous acceptance; it has become worldwide practice in the Church till this day.
Posted on: Wed, 21 May 2014 09:31:53 +0000
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