On this month of the Rosary, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network has released a new Rosary e-book to pray in times of pandemic and illness. The Crisis & Health Rosary written by the Vatican Covid-19 Commission aims at helping the faithful to reach out to Mary, our Mother, and contemplate each mystery in the light of a world in crisis.
The e-book was officially released on 1 October, the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux, while the audio guide became available on the Click To Pray eRosary app on 7 October, feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Readers will find real testimonies from people affected by the pandemic and link their stories with the contemplation of the different mysteries of the Rosary. For example, the story of David, who is confined to bed in his home for the elderly, after having tested positive for Covid-19, or the story of Juan who lost his job in the second week of the coronavirus emergency. These life experiences prompt us to reflect: Have I at times felt the strength of Christ in my weakness? What has he promised me during the course of my life? Do I remember his promises in moments of darkness?
Those who prefer to listen to each mystery while praying can go to the Click To Pray eRosary app where an audio guide leads users through the mysteries and helps them to contemplate the Gospel while listening to the testimonies of those affected by the pandemic. Background music and special content are also available to aid them in their spiritual concentration.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, Pope Francis has insisted on the need to pray in these difficult times. On 30 May, he urged all of humanity to pray together for divine help and led the recitation of the Rosary from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens. He did so accompanied by a doctor, a nurse, a recovered patient, and a person who had lost a family member to Covid-19. “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,” prayed the Holy Father.
Fr Frédéric Fornos SJ, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, said: “I am very happy that the Vatican Covid-19 Commission could participate in the creation of this Rosary. The Church’s common action in the face of this pandemic finds its source in prayer, in the service of Christ’s mission. This new Rosary can help many people in these moments of crisis because Mary, our Mother, is a powerful ally to look up to with hope at the times to come.”
Crisis & Health Rosary is available to download in EPUB, MOBI, or PDF format from www.popesprayer.va, on Amazon Kindle, the Click To Pray eRosary app on iOS and Android (available in English, Italian, French, Portuguese, and Spanish), and soon on Google Play Books. The e-book is completely free and can be shared, printed, and distributed at will.