A demonstration of affection and closeness

Rosary at the Plaza of the Americas in Asunción

Los niños participaron activamente The children particiapted actively Nach anfänglicher Scheu waren die Kinder ganz dabei
Un momento de gracias... A moment of grace Eine Zeit der Gnade
Todos felices... So much happiness... So viel Freude...
Merienda Coffee time Und dann noch Plätzchen und Saft für alle!
Somos pobres... ¡pero Dios nos quiere! We are poor... but God loves us! Wir sind Gott nicht zu klein, nicht zu arm... Fotos: Codas © 2008

PARAGUAY, Carmen Codas. A very touching Rosary was held in the Plaza of the Americas a few days before October 18th – eight ladies who are protagonists of the Illuminated Rosary organized it. It was truly a living rosary, prayed near to the children who spend the day there asking for money…

At 4:00 p.m. on October 10^th, mothers from the Seeds of Mary and Rosary of Mary groups drew us together to pray the rosary. We took the large Rosary, a gift from one of the mothers for the community rosaries, and we took the Paraguayan flag. But most of all, we took a great desire to share with these children, to give a little bit of affection, which they desperately need and the desire to listen.

We began by inviting the children, who, like always, were begging from people who pass by, from cars that stop at that corner, and the mothers who are always at the square selling something. A young couple passing by also joined us.

A souvenir for those who prayed

At first it was difficult, because they were embarrassed. They asked how to pray the rosary. We told them that we did in a way so that everyone could participate by praying a Hail Mary, while the rest of the people would respond. Some said they would be embarrassed, and we said we were too, but that we would pray with them.

And so this is how we began. Next they helped us place the Rosary on the ground along with some holy cards that were souvenirs for everyone who prayed; this was done in the presence of the Pilgrim MTA watching everything we did and with our Paraguayan flag in the background.

It was truly wonderful, and sometimes emotions got the best of us. To witness these children praying with trembling voices, and to see some of the mothers from our group embracing them so that they would continue to pray. Moreover, other children transmitted their joy and strength to us by always wanting to be the one to pray, and they knew all the prayers from memory. Each mystery was prayed in this way, and finally, during the last mystery we prayed especially for each one of them, their problems, for the administrator with whom they have many problems and who does not help them, etc

We concluded by consecrating ourselves to Mary and asking for her blessing for each one of us.

Instruments in her hands

After the Rosary, we shared a meal of stew, cookies, and juice with them; we took many photos together, and we made a firm resolution to pray with them again every month. For now, the next date is Sunday, November 29^th. We hope to continue each month, and hopefully others will be inspired as well to do something like this in other plazas in Asunción.

After the meeting, eight of the mothers met to evaluate the event, and we were truly happier and more content than we could have imagined. After seeing the needs these children have and were manifested, we planned many projects for the next event.

May the Blessed Mother and her beloved Son allow us to enjoy another event like this one, so that we may feel like instruments in her hands!

Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA/amj