Indonesian Catholics are living the national «Missionary Rosary Prayer» in the month of October. As Fides has learned, in all 37 dioceses of the nation, the Bishops lead the prayer and invite all communities, parishes, associations, and families to raise Marian prayer for the missions. A daily or weekly meeting takes place in every Catholic family or group and many online prayer meetings will be held across the archipelago, reported Fides News Agency.
The inauguration of the solemn prayer, on October 1, was entrusted to Mgr. Anton Subianto OSC, Bishop of Bandung, in West Java, who is also the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI). Indonesian Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta will close the month with the prayer on October 31.
Indonesian Catholics, from many communities, different in terms of language, ethnicity, culture, social background, are united and enthusiastically participate in this national prayer, which is also promoted on social media platforms.
The idea for this initiative came from the National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Indonesia, in cooperation with the Commission for Missions of the Bishops’ Conference. Speaking with Fides on the «national rosary prayer» which lasts all month, the National Director of the PMS Father Markus Nur Widipranoto explains that «the prayer is centered on the theme of World Mission Day, ‘Here I am send me’. Every baptized person, as an ardent follower of Christ, is called to continue the evangelizing mission, for the good of people and for peace in the world».
«Another goal – explains the priest – is to be inspired by Pauline Marie Jaricot, the foundress of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of the four PMS, promoter of the living Rosary, and by her ability to realize personal help in missionary work, with prayer and charity at the service of the mission». A precious reference, the Director continues, «is also constituted by the thoughts and spirituality of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. We strongly encourage all people to leave their selfishness and self-centeredness and begin to get involved with others, especially with weaker, more vulnerable, marginalized people», explains the priest, who can see with joy and hope «the adhesion of an increasing number of Indonesian faithful to the month of prayer of the Missionary Rosary».
