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Papal Address on the Rosary as a Weapon of Peace
Zenit ^ | SEPT. 29, 2002

Posted on 10/01/2002 2:49:23 PM PDT by nickcarraway

At Castel Gandolfo

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 29, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address John Paul II gave today before reciting the midday Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims gathered at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

* * *

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

1. We are already at the threshold of the month of October, which, with the liturgical Memorial of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, moves us to rediscover this traditional prayer, which is so simple yet so profound.

The rosary is a contemplative view of the face of Christ carried out, so to speak, through Mary's eyes. Therefore, it is a prayer that is at the very heart of the Gospel, and is in full harmony with the inspiration of the Second Vatican Council and very much in keeping with the indication I gave in the apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte": It is necessary that the Church "go into the deep" of the new millennium beginning with the contemplation of the face of Christ.

Therefore, I wish to suggest the recitation of the rosary to individuals, to families and to Christian communities. To give force to this request, I am also preparing a document, which will help to rediscover the beauty and depth of this prayer.

2. I wish to entrust once again the great cause of peace to the prayer of the rosary. We are faced with an international situation full of tensions, of incandescent dimensions. In some parts of the world, where the confrontation is stronger -- I am thinking in particular of the martyred land of Christ -- we can see that, although always necessary, the political attempts are worth little if spirits remain exacerbated and there is no ability to demonstrate a heartfelt disposition to renew the line of dialogue.

But, who can infuse such sentiments, save God alone? It is more necessary than ever that prayers for peace be raised to him throughout the world. Precisely in this perspective, the rosary reveals itself as a particularly appropriate prayer. It constructs peace also because, while appealing to God's grace, it sows in the one reciting it the seed of good, from which fruits of justice and solidarity in personal and community life can be expected.

I am thinking of nations, but also of families: how much peace would be assured in family relations, if the holy rosary was prayed by the family!

3. [John Paul II then greeted pilgrims in French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Italian. In English, he said:]

I extend a warm greeting to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, and invite you to make the month of October a time of special attention to the recitation of the rosary, the great prayer of intercession to Mary. Upon you and your families I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord.

[Finally, the Pope said in Italian:]

4. The prayer we are about to recite, begins by recalling the Archangel Gabriel's declaration to the Virgin Mary. Indeed, today is the feast of the holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: May these powerful ministers of God help us to correspond always with generous love to his will.

[Translation by ZENIT]


TOPICS: Activism; Catholic; Prayer; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; rosary
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To: Onelifetogive
<> Just so you won't forget your own sly way of intimating we are heathens. <>

You may want to consider Jesus's words concerning counting or repeating prayers:

Matt. 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 7 posted on 10/2/02 12:15 PM Eastern by Onelifetogive [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

21 posted on 10/04/2002 10:30:54 AM PDT by Catholicguy
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To: Catholicguy
And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.

42 Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done.

44 And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.

The Scriptures you quote do not indicate that Christ was reciting over and over and over the same prewritten prayers, or counting beads as he recited standard prayers.

The Scriptures you cite have different language each of the two instances Christ spoke to His Father. Even the third case which says "selfsame word" only indicates that he was praying for the same thing. I can even accept that He used the same exact words, but there is no indication the it was a prewritten prayer. You are making my case for me!

Christ was obviously not reciting rote prayers, but was presenting His wishes to God.

22 posted on 10/04/2002 11:15:33 AM PDT by Onelifetogive
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To: Onelifetogive
<>You whiffed,. Your sly intimation we are heathens was volleyed back down the line - a clear winner.

. He prayed the same prayer. I didnt say he was praying the rosary.

Your post had to do with repititious prayer - and Jesus WAS repeating the same prayer. Sorry, Ace...you just got smoked.

Better luck next time :)<>

23 posted on 10/04/2002 11:31:25 AM PDT by Catholicguy
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To: Bud McDuell
I don't know that I would put it down at our level, but we are made in the image and likeness of God. and we are called his children.

Becky

24 posted on 10/04/2002 11:32:53 AM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
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To: Desdemona
Rosary search--Our Lady of the Rosary Memorial
25 posted on 10/07/2003 2:41:08 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: nickcarraway
 
Pray the Rosary. 
Pray without ceasing.

26 posted on 10/07/2007 1:32:27 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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