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Rosary Helps Put Christ at the Center, Tells Pontiff
"Today, together we confirm that the Holy Rosary is not a
pious practice banished to the past, like prayers of other times
thought of with nostalgia. Instead, the Rosary is experiencing a
new Springtime. Without a doubt, this is one of the most eloquent
signs of love that the young generation nourish for Jesus and his
Mother, Mary. In the current world, so dispersive, this prayer helps
to put Christ at the centre, as the Virgin did, who meditated within
all that was said about her Son, and also what he did and said."
Pope Benedict uttered these words during his recitation of the holy
rosary with the faithful at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Vatican
City, Rome on May 3.
Below is a copy of the Pope's message from Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the conclusion of this moment of Marian prayer, I would like
to address my cordial greeting to all of you and thank you for your
participation. In particular I greet Cardinal Bernard Francis Law,
Archpriest of this stupendous Basilica of St Mary Major. In Rome
this is the Marian temple par excellence, in which the people of
the City venerate the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani with great
affection. I gladly welcomed the invitation addressed to me to lead
the Holy Rosary on the First Saturday of the month of May, according
to the beautiful tradition that I have had since my childhood. In
fact, in my generation's experience, the evenings of May evoke sweet
memories linked to the vespertine gatherings to honour the Blessed
Mother. Indeed, how is it possible to forget praying the Rosary
in the parish or rather in the courtyards of the houses and in the
country lanes?
Today, together we confirm that the Holy Rosary is not a pious
practice banished to the past, like prayers of other times thought
of with nostalgia. Instead, the Rosary is experiencing a new Springtime.
Without a doubt, this is one of the most eloquent signs of love
that the young generation nourish for Jesus and his Mother, Mary.
In the current world, so dispersive, this prayer helps to put Christ
at the centre, as the Virgin did, who meditated within all that
was said about her Son, and also what he did and said. When reciting
the Rosary, the important and meaningful moments of salvation history
are relived. The various steps of Christ's mission are traced. With
Mary the heart is oriented toward the mystery of Jesus. Christ is
put at the centre of our life, of our time, of our city, through
the contemplation and meditation of his holy mysteries of joy, light,
sorrow and glory. May Mary help us to welcome within ourselves the
grace emanating from these mysteries, so that through us we can
"water" society, beginning with our daily relationships,
and purifying them from so many negative forces, thus opening them
to the newness of God. The Rosary, when it is prayed in an authentic
way, not mechanical and superficial but profoundly, it brings, in
fact, peace and reconciliation. It contains within itself the healing
power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, invoked with faith and love
at the centre of each "Hail Mary".
Dear brothers and sisters, let us thank God who has allowed us
to live such a beautiful hour this evening, and in the following
evenings of this Marian month, even if we will be far away, each
in their own family and community, may we, just the same, feel close
and united in prayer. Especially in these days that prepare us for
the Solemnity of Pentecost, let us remain united with Mary, invoking
for the Church a renewed effusion of the Holy Spirit. As at the
origins, Mary Most Holy helps the faithful of every Christian community
to form one heart and soul.
I entrust to you the most urgent intentions of my ministry, the
needs of the Church, the grave problems of humanity: peace in the
world, unity among Christians, dialogue between all cultures. And
thinking of Rome and Italy, I invite you to pray for the pastoral
goals of the Diocese, and for the united development of this beloved
Country. To the new Mayor of Rome, Honourable Gianni Alemanno, who
I see present here, I address the wish of a fruitful service for
the good of the city's entire community. To all of you gathered
here and to those who are linked to us by radio and television,
in particular the sick and the infirm, I gladly impart the Apostolic
Blessing. 
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“Jesus’
Baptism”
