POPE INVITES THE FAITHFUL TO PRAY THE ROSARY DILIGENTLY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 31, 2003 (VIS) - At 8 p.m. today, the Feast of the Visitation, the traditional procession to mark the end of the month of May took place from St. Stephen of the Abyssinians Church to the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens, during which the faithful prayed the rosary. Archbishop Francesco Marchisano, vicar general for Vatican City, read a message from the Pope at the end of the ceremony.

In his message, the Holy Father writes: "I join each one of you before the Grotto to present as a gift to the Immaculate Virgin the entire spiritual journey made during this marian month: every intention, every worry, every need of the Church and the world. May the Holy Virgin grant every one of your intentions."

"On this occasion," he continues, "I wish to renew the invitation to everyone to recite the Rosary diligently, taking care to say it well. I think above of all of priests: may their example and guidance lead the faithful to rediscover the meaning and value of this prayer. I think of consecrated people, especially religious: may they continue to be close to Mary, who pondered in her heart the mysteries of her divine Son. I think of families and I urge them to gather together often, especially in the evening, to say the Rosary together: this is one of the most beautiful and consoling experiences of the domestic community!"

The Holy Father concluded by inviting everyone to persevere in prayer with the Virgin, "like the apostles in the Cenacle waiting for Pentecost which is now close. The liturgy of these days invites us to relive the spiritual climate which preceeded that event, and if the Year of the Rosary must be characterized by continuous prayer with Mary, even more must we join Her in these days of the Novena, invoking the coming of the Holy Spirit on the entire Church throughout the world."

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