20th LIVING ROSARY

Twenty years ago this month, Filipinos from Dordrecht, Gouda, Rotterdam, Tilburg and elsewhere were requested to bring a bandana, a scarf or a shawl in St. Hildegardis Church for the first Living Rosary of the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy Zuid Holland.

There was excitement, curiosity and confusion - what is a Living Rosary? Lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan, it was a tradition in the making! Each bead is represented by a person. Each person says the prayer designated for each bead. After one’s turn, the participant must tie one’s scarf to that of the previous person – thus forming a chain of colorful shawls, scarves and bandanas.

From the start, the annual Living Rosary has stirred the imagination of FCCR volunteers, even during a pandemic situation. It has taken many forms, decors and props. There have been films visualizing the mysteries, dramatization, music, dance interpretations, poems and sharing of reflections. Creativity blossomed, one spiritual event with a cultural twist - doves were let go, balloons released to the sky, lighted candles, ribbons and flowers, lots of them!

We look back with joy and pride. The rosary is brought out in the open as a community event. It has called people to pray for peace together. It encourages the community to celebrate the milestones of the life of Jesus and to honor His mother, Mary. Pope John Paul II issued an Apostolic Letter entitled The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, proclaiming the year from October 2002 to October 2003 to be "the Year of the Rosary", adding five new Mysteries of Light! What a perfect timing to popularize the rosary!

FCCR hope to pass on to our children that prayer is a powerful tool for community building that strives to be Christ-centered and service-oriented.