We shouldn’t be "ashamed" to be seen praying!

In many Catholic countries and especially in France, "Rosaries for Life" are regularly organized in the streets. These are spiritual events in reparation for the sin of abortion and embryonic destruction, as well as ardent petitions addressed to the Virgin Mary to enlighten the conscience of those who resort to such methods. Prayers are also offered to bring peace to these people, who often are victims themselves and who suffer and feel abandoned.

The Blessed Virgin Mary assured Sister Lucia of Fátima in 1917 that: "There is not a problem, even the most difficult, temporal but especially spiritual, affecting us in our personal or family life that cannot to be solved through the Rosary."

The offering of the Rosary to God is at first intended to repair the offense done to him by the killing of innocent human lives. This is the meaning of an act of reparation: to please God, for the salvation of souls and of all society. The choice to pray outside and not in a church is explained by the public scope of abortion today. Acts of reparation must therefore be accompanied by a public testimony recalling the importance of human life. Public prayer also brings together very different kinds of people. The Church thus unites around the Rosary and in the defense of unborn children, and this unity is precious.

Praying is a natural act because we are spiritual beings. We should not be "ashamed" to be seen praying! Many public manifestations of the faith exist elsewhere in the Church, such as processions for major liturgical feasts.

Nicolas Bauer

Associate Researcher at the European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ), a non-governmental organization collaborating in the Holy See's diplomacy with international institutions.