Praying the Rosary during Pandemic Restrictions as Faithful Turn to Radio and Social Media for Spiritual Nourishments
The Christians in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio have continued to join daily in rosary prayers as the diocesan radio stations namely Anisa Radio Yambio and Anisa Radio Meridi air the rosary in the evenings.
With the churches closed and gatherings prohibited, the faithful are turning to new ways of following the mass from the radios and through social media. Anisa Radio has been in the frontline of providing spiritual nourishment to the Christians by having live masses, the prayer of the rosary, Catechism, Bishops reflections, and much more.
The practice commenced in the month of May which is a special month in the Catholic Church worldwide which is dedicated to the praying of Rosary. The Catholic faithful often joins together in the month of the rosary and pray for the different needs of the church and the world.
During this month, every Catholic faithful is called upon to recite the rosary at least once a day. This year however the month was celebrated differently due to the global pandemic that has ravaged the world causing lockdowns with governments issuing guidelines to try to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
The pandemic led to the closure of churches and also restrictions in gatherings which means the faithful could not congregate as usual to pray the rosary together.
In a country that has been for many years ravaged by internal conflicts, the church has always been a safe refuge for many. This is witnessed every time there is a chance of celebration of mass and other prayer gatherings. Prayer has played a central part in healing the souls that are still reeling from the effects of conflict.
With churches closed, the faithful have to find different ways to observe the month of the rosary which has always been a cherished activity among many considering the large number of faithful who align themselves with Marian devotional groups.
The vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio in his message to the Christians said was time for Christians to intensify their prayer and recitation of the rosary since the world has a global intention of praying for the end to the pandemic. As such the practice of reciting the rosary in the evening being guided by the radio stations has stuck with the people past the Rosary month of May.
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