The pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is once again inviting parishes, daycares, schools and families to participate in the annual initiative “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” this coming October 18, in Canada virtually at 1pm. The focus of the prayer campaign is worldwide unity and peace. This year provides a very special context, for rarely before has the world seen a healthcare and existential crisis of this magnitude.

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“A crisis in which the entire world has been and continues to be exposed to an invisible virus that has brought death to hundreds of thousands of people and devastating, and as yet unforeseeable, economic and social consequences. Our world is no longer the same world, and what was taken for granted until now will no longer be so,” stated Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, President of ACN International. In a letter to children he said that in difficult situations like these it’s very important to work together and help one another. “But we must also not forget that the biggest help of all comes from God.”

This is why ACN is once again inviting everyone to take part in a worldwide prayer initiative known as “One Million Children Praying the Rosary,” this October 18—or to pray the Rosary with the children in schools or kindergartens on Monday, October 19 (as the 18 falls on a Sunday this year 2020).

“Our material for the prayer campaign is available in 23 languages, including, for example, Arabic and several African languages. Children from at least 80 countries, on all continents will be participating,” said Fr. Martin M. Barta, ACN International, Ecclesiastical Assistant. “From Ghana to Syria and all the way to Papua New Guinea. ‘May this joint worldwide Rosary prayer initiative fill us all with new courage and confidence in God’s loving protection, which He wishes to bestow on us through His Holy Mother.’

A Virtual Prayer in Canada

The Canadian office will hold a virtual prayer on Sunday, October 18 at 1:00 pm. ‘This year, we hope to bring together families from across the country,’ says Marie-Claude Lalonde, National Director. ‘The uniqueness of this time allows us to innovate.”

The children’s Rosary Campaign was initiated in 2005 in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. While a number of children were praying the rosary at a roadside shrine, several of the people present recalled that Saint Padre Pio had said: “When one million children pray the rosary, the world will change.” The campaign quickly spread across the world. ACN has supported the campaign since 2008 and took the reins of the organization for the entire worldwide event two years ago.

The pontifical organization provides a free leaflet for prayer in parishes, children’s groups or families containing instructions on how to pray the rosary, child-friendly reflections on the mysteries of the rosary and a consecration to Mary, Mother of God. Posters for the prayer campaign are also available upon request.

·       To receive the prayer information and posters in Canada—please call (800) 585-6333 x227 or write at lc@acn-canada.org

·       To join in the event and learn more—please visit acninternational.org/millionkidspraying/