Children from dozens of parishes will pray for peace and unity, says Father Pedro Zafra from Kiev.
ACN – On Tuesday, October 18, the worldwide prayer initiative «A million children praying the rosary» will take place. There are already confirmed prayer groups in more than 80 countries. Among them is Ukraine, which is going through a tough war situation due to Russia’s invasion with thousands of dead and wounded, as well as millions of people who have fled their homes. The Catholic Church in Ukraine is promoting the prayer of the rosary on this day, which aims to pray for peace and unity. Father Pedro Zafra, a Spanish priest, who serves in the parish of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Kiev, told the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) how they will live this day there, in statements to the program «Persecuted but not forgotten» of Radio Maria.
«This week we have again experienced bombardments on Kiev, but little by little we are recovering tranquility thanks to prayer. That is why we have decided to join this initiative of praying the rosary, because it is our best weapon against the war and we want to transmit unity, hope and the closeness of the Virgin Mary to the children,» says the young priest, who is clear that his place is to be with those who suffer most, «We are calm knowing that our mission is to be here and pray. It is a situation that is out of our hands. But although the war continues, we have to keep praying for peace, which is the only thing that can help us now. From the parish we try to help everyone as much as possible, we invite them not to stop praying and to be continually looking at the Cross of Jesus Christ, because it is the only thing that right now can bring us to calm».
Return to First Communion Catechesis
Parishes in areas far from the war fronts are returning to the usual pastoral activities, with First Communion catechesis groups, Confirmation and other activities. «This initiative is a great idea, because it also helps us to make community, to enter into relationship with the children and families. On October 18, we will meet in the afternoon, have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, pray the rosary with the children and celebrate the Eucharist. By uniting prayer with the Eucharist we can transmit that the Eucharist is the most important weapon we have in response to war».
Father Zafra also shared that the rosary is being a very important prayer in his parish, «God is above all this conflict and has given us the greatest gift we could have which is his Mother. We have been able to experience her intercession, that we are not alone. Like the mother who suffered, the Virgin Mary, for her son on the cross. Mary also suffers for us because of this situation. She also suffers for everyone, for the families, for the children who are suffering the consequences of the war the most. That is why during this time I have been able to discover the love for the prayer of the rosary and that it is not a mechanical prayer but has the power to give a special serenity and peace in moments of suffering».
Finally, the priest encouraged all the children to participate in «A million children praying the rosary», recalling the apparitions of Fatima: «Our Lady appeared in Fatima to three little children because she wanted to show the whole world how a mother loves her child. In Fatima Mary wanted to transmit this love through children. This initiative is very important and Our Lady listens especially to you children. We are united in prayer and do not stop praying for us».