One million children to pray the Rosary for world peace

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is promoting the campaign "One million children pray the Rosary," scheduled for October 1 to 7. The worldwide initiative calls on children, families, schools and parishes to join in prayer for peace and unity, and to intercede for children living in armed conflict or in situations of violence.

The campaign is built on the belief that children's prayer has a particular power before God. Under the motto "One million children pray the Rosary for unity and peace!", ACN is encouraging Christian communities to take part and to organize times of prayer in which children take the lead.

In schools, ACN proposes setting aside a space for communal prayer where students lead the Hail Marys and prepare a quiet setting for the occasion. Parishes are asked to make the initiative part of catechesis and of the community's ordinary life, letting children lead the Rosary and invite their families and friends. ACN is offering free bracelets or single-decade rosaries so that children can make prayer-related crafts.

For families, ACN suggests turning the home into a place of gathering and prayer: setting up a small corner with a candle and an image of the Virgin, and bringing relatives and friends together there to pray the Hail Marys. ACN presents it as a chance to give thanks for their own families and to pray for children who are suffering in different parts of the world.

The campaign is open to any person or group that wants to take part. ACN provides free materials for praying the Rosary in schools, parishes and homes. Those interested can register and download the resources on the campaign website.