JERUSALEM – On Thursday, October 17, 2019, and in response to the initiative of the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need, “One Million Children Praying the Rosary for unity and peace in the world”, the Catechetical Office of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem invited students from local Catholic schools to pray the Rosary at the Co-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 171 Students and their teachers from Terra Sancta School, Our Lady of the Pillar School, Schmidt School and Rosary Sisters School have joined on this joyful morning to pray the Luminous Mysteries.
As the students were welcomed into the Co-Cathedral; each student was given a Rosary to help them keep up with the prayer and to encourage them to pray it at home. The morning started with an interactive introduction between the students and Miss Nadine Bitar on “what is the Rosary and why do we pray it?” And from where we got the Hail Mary prayer, after which Miss Mariana Kanzou’a introduced the Sacred Mysteries of the Rosary (Joyful, Glorious, and Sorrowful).
As Saint Therese of Lisieux said: “If the Church has a body, then it cannot fail to have the most necessary and most noble part of all, a heart”. And being part of the sacred Body of Christ and the heart of all churches; Jerusalemite students started with praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.
The first Mystery is Baptism. Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River; Terra Sancta students offered this Mystery for the Rosary Sisters school.
The second Mystery the Wedding in Cana. Jesus reveals His power at the wedding in Cana; Our Lady of Pillar students offered this Mystery for De La Salle Brothers School.
The third Mystery the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God through His teaching; Schmidt students offered this Mystery for Terra Sancta School.
The fourth Mystery the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Jesus is transfigured on top of Mount Tabor; Rosary Students offered this Mystery for Schmidt School.
The fifth Mystery the Institution of the Eucharist. Jesus gives Himself to us in the Eucharist; the catechists of the four schools offered this Mystery for Our Lady of the Pillar School.
In response to this initiative and after the invitation of Pope Francis to dedicate the month of October to the Church’s mission and missionaries under the title of “Baptized and Sent: the Church of Christ on mission in the world”; the participants also prayed for the missionary work in keeping the Word of God alive through preaching the Good News to the world.
At the end of this Luminous gathering, the students were blessed with consecrating themselves to Our Lady of the Rosary to protect and bless them; and returned to their schools filled with love, joy, and happiness in their hearts.
