BRAZIL, mda. The celebration of the 15tth anniversary of the Men’s Rosary gathered hundreds of men at the Olinda Shrine in Recife/Brazil, the birthplace of this life current that has now spread throughout Brazil. Brazil’s TV Globo broadcast the main events.
Watch the video here (Portuguese)
History
Divine Providence used an initiative started by a small group of men who prayed the rosary on the street while their wives attended their Schoenstatt meetings. This became a weekly occurrence outside the Mother and Queen House Shrine at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Maceió. This devotion was, however, short lived because there were so few participants. But the initiative was not lost, thanks to the faith and perceptive eye of a Pilgrim Mother Campaign coordinator from Pernambuco. She took this example to her parish priest, and after speaking to him, convinced him to conduct an experiment.
Under the guidance of Fr. Américo Vasconcelos, the Salesian parish priest Oneida Araújo da Silva spoke to, the first seed of the Men’s Rosary was planted on March 5, 1997 at the parish level, in Jaboatão dos Guararapes. It started at the Our Lady of Delivery chapel, which was transformed into a parish shrine, with fifteen men, most of whom have already passed away. Only Antônio dos Santos, Amaro Bezerra and Rivaldo Bezerra remain.
The most important development came later, when a Schoenstatt Father, Fr. José Pontes, learnt about this parish where a group of men prayed the rosary. He thought it was an interesting initiative and decided to try it out at the New Evangelization Shrine in Olinda. This is where the Rosary made its greatest contribution, becoming part of the fruitfulness of the Shrine and a powerful force within the Movement. Many years would pass before this culture became truly implanted and properly organized.
In May 1998, a significant change took place. Inspired by Carlos Alves and supported by the other members, the men decided that the Rosary group would meet weekly instead of monthly. This was how it was able to expand to so many places.
Today
On its 15th anniversary and on the eve of the 2014 Jubilee, hundreds of the men who participate in this current of life and graces made their Covenant of Love.
Men’s Rosary Hymn (Portuguese) – Listen
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa
