“Thank you for your witness of kind charity, solidarity, and especially for your union with the suffering of populations wounded by injustice, oppression, hatred, and greed," Pope Francis wrote to the Nazarat Committee for Persecuted Christians in the Middle East, a group that for 10 years has gathered in the main plaza of Rimini, Italy, on the 20th of every month, to pray for peace.
Pope Francis' message to mark the anniversary was released Friday, according to Vatican News. The monthly initiative has spread from Rimini to many cities around the world. In addition to their prayer, they have given financial support to families, especially in Syria and Iraq. They promote the "Adopt a Syrian family" project.
“Today, more than ever,” the Pope said, “humanity needs the Good News of peace, and every Christian is called to proclaim and share it.”
The Holy Father expressed his hopes that "everyone can enjoy the bread of communion and the joy of solidarity.”
“I urge you to invoke the help of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, so that she may welcome us under her mantle and support us in times of trial,” he said. “May she kindle in our hearts the light of hope to dare for a future of serenity and harmony.”
History of group
Vatican News explains:
The Rimini Rosary initiative began in August 2014 following the expulsion of Christians from the Nineveh Plain in Iraq at the hands of the so-called Islamic State.
Titled “Appeal to the Human,” the prayer is offered for all persecuted people, both Christians and non-Christians.
“This prayer is the affirmation of the Lordship of Christ — who can do all things — over each of us,” reads a communiqué from the Nazarat Committee. “It is the beginning of our transformation. Prayer is the most powerful instrument for changing history.”
On August 20, Bishop Nicolò Anselmi of Rimini will lead the 10th anniversary Rosary prayer in his city’s main square.
