Papal Address on the Rosary as a Weapon of Peace
Joyce Lang
Oct 1, 2002
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Papal Address on the Rosary as a Weapon of Peace
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]