On the morning of October 18^th, a large bouquet of children’s prayers will be given to the Blessed Mother

Launching the campaign for One Million Children Praying the Rosary 2007 in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay

Después de la Misa, todos se unen a Un millón de niños rezan el Rosario After Holy Mass, all unite to One Million of Children praying the rosary Nach der Heiligen Messe schließen sich alle an bei Eine Million Kinder beten
Afiche de la peregrinación Poster inviting to the pilgrimage Einladungsplakat zur Schülerwallfahrt
Librito de Un millón de niños rezan el Rosario Booklet of One Million of Children praying the rosary Faltblatt von Eine Million Kinder beten Fotos: Cabral © 2007

PARAGUAY, Gloria de Ruiz Díaz, On September 29^th, the Feast of Saint Michael, in Ciudad del Este at the Schoenstatt Land Shrine, the team in charge of the One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign gathered with enthusiasm and love for the campaign to the Blessed Mother to consecrate the posters that have been prepared to promote the event that will take place on October 18^th.

The Blessed Mother has convoked an enthusiastic team, which is composed of pilgrims and missionaries from the Rosary Campaign, administrators and teachers of the Mater Dei School, and volunteers from the Mothers’ Branch.

This is the third year the Schoenstatt Family will be joining the One Million Children… campaign and each year the acceptance and enthusiasm for this event grows greater. The initial interest in this campaign was born in the bosom of the Movement, but has since expanded beyond it. This year it was well received at the episcopate where we asked for suggestions about the promotional materials such as posters, pamphlets, et cetera to be distributed at schools, homes, hospitals, and also in the communities where Wayside Shrines are located. The event is also connected with the Children’s and Youth pilgrimage, for schools, and private schools from the community that every year, Mater Dei School has organized to participate in the Mass at the Shrine.

This year Mass will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude with the prayer of the Holy Rosary at 9:00 a.m. By so doing, they will participate in the large prayer chain. The Mothers’ Branch enthusiastically made some wooden decades that will be distributed to the younger children.

They are also waiting for children’s books about the Rosary for the children that are coming from outside the Movement, thanks to the support of the Church in Need. The idea is to present our Heavenly Mother with a large bouquet of prayers from the children and adults on October 18^th, Covenant Day, so that She, the Great Mediator, can offer it to the Eternal Father for the intentions of the campaign that are so urgent for our times.

Nothing without us

The team goes to the Shrine to pray the Holy Rosary. The posters are placed in front of the altar. These posters are an invitation for students from the schools in the community to the pilgrimage at the Shrine on October 18^th, which the Mater Dei School has organized for several years, and the posters for the One Million Children Praying the Rosary with a guide for praying the Rosary correctly. This year the Luminous Mysteries will be prayed. The younger children can also join this spiritual harmony on the 18^th by coloring the posters with the pictures of the rosary, the dove symbolizing peace, and some little angels. The wooden decades, made by some of the mothers for children on that day as a souvenir, are also placed in front of the altar. And of course, the Capital of Grace is also presented, consisting of a Shrine replica that is held by some of the children. The Nothing Without Us is ready to be presented to our Heavenly Mother, from whom we ask the Nothing Without You during the prayer of the Holy Rosary that had a massive participation. The Shrine is completely full, and benches are added to accommodate the people who remain outside.

With songs and praises to Mary, we have consecrated ourselves to Her with the desire that on October 18^th, from the Shrine to the farthest corner –not just in the city, but also from our homes – we will greet our Mother, with the prayer of the Holy Rosary for world peace, family unity, and for the interior peace of the people.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj