One million children pray the Rosary…and they open heaven
Fifty roses of five colors, three languages in the Original Shrine: first impressions and photos from Moscow, Germany and Paraguay
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Un millón de niños rezan el rosario – unos también en el Santuario Original One million of children praying the rosary – some also in the Original Shrine Eine Million Kinder beten den Rosenkranz – einige auch im Urheiligtum |
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| ¡Yo también rezo! Me too! Ich auch! Fotos: K. Fischer © 2008 |
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| En Friesenheim-Schuttern, Alemania In Friesenheim-Schuttern, Germany In Friesenheim-Schuttern in der Ortenau Foto: A. Szameitat © 2008 |
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| En la casa Concordia de la Misión Católica Polaca At House Concordia of the Catholic Polish Mission In Haus Concordia der Katholischen Polnischen Mission |
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| 62 niños rezando 62 children praying Hier beten 62 Kinder... Foto: kpm ©2008 |
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| En Moscú In Moscow In Moskau Foto: Blumers © 2008 |
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INTERNATIONAL, mkf. " All the children of the world greet Mary…" It seems that the song that Sister M. Angela sang accompanied with her guitar was made for this day. Sister M. Angela is a kindergarten teacher in Waldesch, close to Schoenstatt. It is October 18th at 9:00 a.m. About 15 children of Polish and Croatian families who live in Koblenz and the surrounding areas fill the Original Shrine along with their mothers and adolescent siblings. One of the mothers donated 50 roses of five colors. The posters for the "One million children" are on the door and on the communion rail of the Original Shrine, there is Pilgrim MTA on the altar, at the foot of the altar there is large rosary depicted in German, Russian, Polish, Italian and English…"Beloved Blessed Mother, united all the children of the world are praying the rosary for peace…"
The baby, who was the youngest participant of the "One million children" in the Original Shrine last year returned, he is seated in his stroller claiming his own rendition…It is a joy to see the little one "read" the texts of the rosary and to follow what is taking place with attention.
The families of these children receive the Pilgrim MTA, and for the second time the mothers with their children came joyfully on pilgrimage to Schoenstatt to unite themselves to the "One million children praying the rosary for peace". Sister Damiana Czogala invited even the youngest ones, of four, five years old to pray a Hail Mary aloud in Polish, Croatian, and in German. "The families pray the rosary", she explained, "they pray it every day, but especially when they are visited by the Pilgrim MTA". It is noticeable, that the children are familiar with the rosary and they enjoy this half hour in the Original Shrine, praying, singing, and filling the large vase with the beautiful roses of five colors: one color for each mystery of the Holy Rosary.
The first pilgrims to arrive to participate in the celebration of October 18th are already "knocking on the door" of the Original Shrine: Some are Germans and others are 50 Brazilians, who wanted to be in Schoenstatt to celebrate the "feast of Our Lady of Schoenstatt". For them it was a great joy to arrive at the Original Shrine to find it full of children praying the rosary.
A rosary that embraces the world
This rosary in the Original Shrine of Schoenstatt is one more bead of the rosary that embraces the world on this day. Now the many preparations the many desires and so much work have concluded. The praying of this worldwide prayer of the children opens heaven to ask for peace, has begun some hours earlier in eastern Russia. While they are still praying in South America the first photos and reports arrive.
At House Concordia, in Herdorf, Germany – a retirement home of the Polish Mission – there are children and youth who are on vacation. At 9:00 a.m. 62 children and youth gather to pray the rosary. Jolanta, one of the mothers who lives in Koblenz –and who is a missionary – took the drawings and she encouraged everyone to unite in this prayer.
We can contribute to peace in the world
This is beautiful", said a child. "Through our prayer we can contribute to peace in the world. In Schuttern, Germany, in the region of Ortenau, several children gathered in the parish of the Blessed Mother of the Assumption to pray, along with thousands of children throughout the world, for peace and unity.
In Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, the children from several schools prayed the rosary. They formed a rosary wearing vests of different colors. The Bolivian children joined the International Campaign "One Million children praying the Rosary for Peace and Unity. From the Shrine in the neighborhood of Achumani, of the city of La Paz, they united their little voices pleading along with so many children of the length and breadth of the planet, praying for peace and unity for the families, for the homes and for all the countries of the world.
The vase with the roses of five colors in the Original Shrine, still remind everyone of this simple and joyful prayer of the children, who with their purest petitions surely opened heaven…and they were among the first to greet the Blessed other on her day in the Shrine with a large bouquet of roses, and with a crown of living roses…
Translation: Celina Garza, San Antonio, USA