Let us rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home during the month of May: this is the Pope's proposal for the coming month, in a letter addressed to all the faithful on April 25.
In May, writes the Pope, “it is a tradition to pray the Rosary at home, with the family”. The constraints of the pandemic have forced us to value this domestic dimension also from a spiritual point of view, says the Holy Father. Hence the proposal to rediscover “the beauty” of praying the Rosary at home.
You can choose, depending on the situation, to pray it together or personally, appreciating the good of both possibilities. But, in any case, there is a secret to do it: simplicity; and it is easy to find, even on the internet, good prayer outlines to follow.
The following is the Pope's letter
Dear brothers and sisters:
The month of May is approaching, when the people of God manifest with particular intensity their love and devotion to the Virgin Mary. During this month, it is a tradition to pray the Rosary at home, with the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have “forced” us to value this domestic dimension, also from a spiritual point of view.
Therefore, I thought I would propose to all of you that we rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home during the month of May. You can choose, depending on the situation, to pray it together or personally, appreciating the good of both possibilities. But, in any case, there is a secret to do it: simplicity; and it is easy to find, even on the internet, good prayer outlines to follow.
In addition, I offer you two texts of prayers to Our Lady which you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and which I myself will say during the month of May, spiritually united with you. I am enclosing them with this letter so that they may be at everyone's disposal.
Dear brothers and sisters: Contemplating together the face of Christ with the heart of Mary, our Mother, will unite us even more as a spiritual family and help us to overcome this trial. I will pray for you, especially for those who suffer most, and please pray for me. I thank you and bless you from my heart.
Rome, St. John Lateran, April 25, 2020
Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist
Francisco
Prayer to Mary
Oh Mary,
you are always shining on our path
as a sign of salvation and hope.
To you we entrust ourselves, Health of the sick,
that at the foot of the cross you were associated with the pain of Jesus,
keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman people,
you know what we need
and we are sure you will grant it
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
let joy and festivity return
after this test.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and do what Jesus will tell us,
He who took our suffering upon himself
and took on our pains
to guide us through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection we take refuge, Holy Mother of God,
do not despise our supplications in time of need,
but deliver us from all danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Prayer to Mary
«Under your protection we take refuge, Holy Mother of God».
In the present dramatic situation, full of suffering and anguish that oppress the whole world, we turn to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.
O Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes upon us in this coronavirus pandemic, and console those who are confused and weep for the loss of their loved ones, sometimes buried in a way that wounds the soul. It sustains those who are distressed because, to avoid contagion, they cannot be near sick people. It instills confidence in those who live in fear of an uncertain future and of the consequences in the economy and at work.
Mother of God and our Mother, implore the Father of mercy that this ordeal may end and that we may once again find a horizon of hope and peace. As at Cana, intercede before your Divine Son, asking him to console the families of the sick and the victims, and to open their hearts to hope.
Protect the doctors, the nurses, the health personnel, the volunteers who in this period of emergency fight in the front line and risk their lives to save other lives. Accompany their heroic effort and grant them strength, goodness and health.
He remains close to those who assist, night and day, the sick, and to the priests who, with pastoral care and evangelical commitment, try to help and support everyone.
Holy Virgin, enlighten the minds of men and women of science, so that they may find the right solutions and defeat this virus.
It assists the leaders of nations to act with wisdom, diligence and generosity, helping those who lack the necessities of life, planning far-reaching social and economic solutions and in a spirit of solidarity.
Santa Maria, touches the consciences so that the large sums of money used in the increase and improvement of armaments are destined to promote adequate studies for the prevention of future similar catastrophes.
Most loving Mother, increase in the world the sense of belonging to a single great family, becoming aware of the bond that unites us all, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we may come to the aid of the many forms of poverty and situations of misery. It encourages firmness in faith, perseverance in service and constancy in prayer.
O Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your troubled children, grant that God may deliver us with his mighty hand from this terrible epidemic and that life may resume its normal course with serenity.
We entrust ourselves to You, who shine on our path as a sign of salvation and hope. O most merciful, O most gracious, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
