It is a common gesture of Pope Francis that, whenever he visits a country, he gives a rosary to those he encounters. But what is deeper within this? What message does the Pope want to convey? Even during meetings with Jesuits on his visits, he hands them a rosary. Could this be his way of encouraging the world and Jesuits to pray the rosary?
Recalling the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima to the three children in Fatima, Portugal, she said, “Pray the rosary that God may grant peace to the whole world.” I do think that when Pope Francis distributes the rosaries, he is telling us to pray for peace in the world. But the real question, however, is: after receiving the rosary, do we actually pray with it, or do we merely keep it as a decoration? We are called to be sure to pray the rosary daily. If not, perhaps we’re being remiss in the Pope’s intention.
The rosary we receive from the hands of the Pope is not a gift but a message-a call to prayer for peace in the world. One should take care of it in the intimacy of his room, praying with it and not showing it off or making posts about it on social media. What matters is to acquire the habit of praying the Rosary and not of having it. The purpose for which the rosary is given to us is for peace.
I also believe that the Pope may be encouraging us to substitute our constant use of smartphones with the rosary. We often spend our days playing games, chatting, or watching videos on our phones. Now is the time to change those habits—hold the rosary in your hand and pray to God through Our Lady. It is, as Pope Leo XIII so eloquently put it, “the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying.” The message couldn’t be clearer: it is time to put aside our smartphones, those evil deeds that so often separate us one from another and from God, and take up the rosary and pray. Pope Francis invites us to pray not only for peace in the world, but also in our hearts, minds, and bodies. It is an invitation for all people in this world. One should pray the rosary daily and not only on especial occasions.
By: Sch. Nelson Marques SJ (BH, Brasil.)