FOR THE MONTH of Mary, Pope Francis initiated a very meaningful marathon recitation of the Rosary. Thirty Marian Shrines have been taking turns leading the prayer for an end to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
“At the beginning of this month dedicated to Our Lady, we join together in prayer with all the sanctuaries spread throughout the whole world, with the faithful, and with all persons of good will, to entrust into the hands of our Holy Mother the whole human race, sorely tried by this period of pandemic.” Pope Francis said in inaugurating marathon of prayer, adding, “In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.”
In Hong Kong, some parishes also launched a campaign to recite the Rosary to help families pray together, even bringing a Marian statue around to some families. In this time of pandemic, activities like this benefit our spirituality and faith. With Jesus at the centre, the family, in reciting the prayer, can share the joys and difficulties of the Holy Family and entrust their needs to them.
The Blessed Virgin Mary looks after families and accompanies them to overcome pain: “… the Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of the Church, also be the Mother of ‘the Church of the home.’ Thanks to her motherly aid, may each Christian family really become a ‘little Church’ … May she, the Sorrowful Mother at the foot of the Cross, comfort the sufferings and dry the tears of those in distress because of the difficulties of their families” (Familiaris Consortio, 86).
May 15, the world marks International Day of Families, which was started by the United Nations (UN) to promote the understanding of family issues and review how to provide opportunities for families to improve their socio-economic status. The theme this year is Families and New Technologies, aiming to raise awareness of the impact of new technologies on the well-being of families. While global demographics and family structures changed over the decades, the UN upholds the family as the basic unit of society.
The UN believes the near a year-and-a-half of constraints imposed by the pandemic has demonstrated the importance of digital technologies for work, education and communication, accelerating technological changes—including the expanded use of digital platforms.
Families must be at the centre of discussions concerning new technologies because they are the heart of society. When policymakers question the need to give so much for families, they overlook that society at large will receive much more in return. Secondly, new technologies must be people-oriented, especially exercising preferential options for the poor. We must offer a helping hand to families in difficulty so that they will not feel isolated and helpless.
The global marathon recitation of the Rosary has run half its course. Let us, in the coming two weeks, join the entire Church in spirit and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dedicate our prayers to our Father in Heaven for families, society and especially for an early end to the pandemic. SE
