PH children invited to join worldwide prayer for peace

Students were asked by church leaders to join the rest of the world in praying for peace and unity by participating in the “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” campaign which will be held Wednesday, October 18.

Legazpi (Albay) Bishop Joel Baylon, former head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Youth, particularly encouraged students belonging to Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) member schools, to join the activity.

According to CEAP, many of their schools would be participating in the event.

The international Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) earlier called on children throughout the world to gather at 9 a.m. on Oct.18 to pray for peace and unity in the world.

In many areas of the world, lessons will be interrupted for half an hour so that the children can participate.

Children in the Philippines will join this activity through the initiative of the dioceses and religious communities all over the country.

ACN Philippines has sent out packets to all the dioceses, communities and schools to encourage their children’s participation in this prayerful activity.

Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education, also asked that children in public schools be included in the event.

“We will include children being handled by our catechists in public schools,” he said.

Mallari said children should be drawn closer to God by praying the rosary.

“It is important that through our Blessed Mother on the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima that we draw children to God in praying the Holy Rosary,” he said.

ACN Philippines started the One Million Children Praying the Rosary after it began its operation as one of only two national offices in Asia.