ASIA/MYANMAR - Religious and faithful in the world united in Marian prayer for peace and justice in Myanmar

Monday, 3 May 2021 prayer   peace   justice   reconciliation   violence  

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - It is a month of May characterized, in Myanmar and abroad, by the ardent Marian prayer for peace and justice in Myanmar. The international campaign promoted by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, who encouraged priests, religious and faithful to pray the Rosary daily throughout the month of May, in profound Marian devotion, and to take part in an hour of daily Eucharistic Adoration. In the message sent to the faithful, the Cardinal emphasizes that it is possible to participate at home, in parishes or in religious communities, in every corner of the world. Numerous communities of consecrated life in Myanmar have responded to the call, such as the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition, the Sisters of Charity, numerous diocesan congregations such as the Sisters of Saint Francis Xavier, but also male religious communities, parish groups and lay associations across the country.
As Fides has learned, numerous Catholic communities abroad have accepted the appeal of the Burmese Church and joined in communion of prayer. In Italy, among the cloistered monasteries that ensured the prayer, the Franciscan Poor Clares of the Monastery in Via Vitellia in Rome, the Benedictine nuns of Santa Maria in Rosano (FI), the Carmelites of the Monastery "Janua Coeli", at the Sanctuary of the Addolorata in Cerreto di Sorano (GR).
In addition, a special prayer meeting with the Burmese community - so that the violence in the Asian country may stop and the path of dialogue may begin - is scheduled for Saturday 29 May at 12.30 in the cathedral of Milan, with the participation of Archbishop Monsignor Mario Enrico Delpini. This was communicated to Agenzia Fides by Msgr. Luca Bressan, Episcopal Vicar for Culture, Charity, Mission and Social Action in the Ambrosian Diocese. The decision follows a request from the Burmese community in Italy which, after writing to the Archbishop, met last week with Msgr. Bressan to structure the meeting and prayer. Not only Burmese from all over Italy are involved, but also priests and nuns who have been present for many years in Milan and other parts of the country.
The small delegation was led to the archbishopric by Thuzar Linn, when several Burmese residing in Italy took part in a demonstration in Milan in favor of the Government of national unity that was formed after the military coup of 1 February. "I am a Buddhist, but I will gladly participate in the prayer in the Cathedral" says Thuzar, one of the exponents of the Burmese community in Italy. "Prayer is an encounter between cultures and civilizations, between the West and Asia, in particular with Myanmar. Praying together - continues Thuzar - means that fundamental values are shared and nurtured: all this helps dialogue to better understand each other, whatever their religion". The universal prayer campaign was appreciated by Pope Francis who said in Regina Coeli on 2 May: "We have just started May, the quintessential Marian month, during which the faithful love to visit the Sanctuaries dedicated to Our Lady…
In this context there is an initiative that is very close to my heart: that of the Burmese Church, which invites us to pray for peace by reserving a daily Hail Mary of the Rosary for Myanmar. Each of us turns to our mother when one is in need or in difficulty. We, this month, ask our Mother in Heaven to speak to the hearts of all those responsible in Myanmar, so that they may find the courage to walk the path of encounter, reconciliation and peace". (PA-MG) (Agenzia Fides, 3/5/2021)


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