Calamba City, the Philippines, 31 October 2016 — Salesian Youth Leaders and Catechists in Mary Help of Christians Parish, Mayapa; Don Bosco TVET Center, Calauan; and, San Ildefonso Parish, Makati conclude the Marian month of the Holy Rosary with themed rosary prayer events.
Last October 30, the Salesian Parish Youth Ministry in MHCP-Mayapa organized a special rosary for the intention of all the missionaries around the world. Members of the various youth sodalities in the parish attended the prayer event which was held in their Benna Hall.
At 5:00 am, October 30, families from the National Housing Authority Resettlement Sites 1, 2, 3 and Makativille joined the Family Living Rosary organized by the Volunteer Catechists of Don Bosco Calauan. The families processed a larger than life knotted rosary. At every Hail Mary, select families hold a knotted bead bringing with their intentions—worries, anxieties, and problems. The event focused on the theme, “Sa pagdarasal ng Santo Rosaryo, kabigkis, kalakbay, at kaanib tayo ni Maria (Through the Holy Rosary, we are bonded with, co-journeyers, and partners of Mary),” which highlighted Mary’s role in our journey towards Christ. It also promoted Mary as Undoer of Knots. They brough in procession the knotted rosary and the statues of Mary Help of Christians and St. John Bosco. They passed through main road connecting the resettlement sites and headed to the Chapel of the Resurrected Christ in Don Bosco TVET Center, Calauan. They arrived in time for the 7:00 am mass—a fitting conclusion for a journey of families with Mary.
After the 9:00 am Children’s Mass in San Ildefonso Parish, Makati, the children and youth gathered for a living rosary. Before the prayer, Bro. Maeko Diaz, SDB (who belongs to the parish and was an active member of the youth ministry prior his entry to the seminary), gave a short catechesis on the Holy Rosary. He emphasized the values it teaches in one’s life. Asp. Ysrael Rosarito, who like Bro. Maeko was a member of the parish youth ministry and was having his short home visit, lead the praying of the rosary together with the leaders of each youth group. In each mystery they paused and allotted a few moments of silent prayer for the faithful departed. After the rosary, the Friends of Laura performed the dance animation of “Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosary (Song for Our Lady of the Holy Rosary).”
by Fr. Toto Cerada, SDB, Joy Abraham, and Angerica Fesariton