Our Lady of Rosary Feast: Catholic Bishops in Angola, Mozambique Call for Prayers for Persecuted Christians Worldwide

Luanda, 08 October, 2025 / 3:26 PM

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, marked on October 7, Catholic Bishops in Angola and Mozambique have urged Catholics to pray the Holy Rosary for persecuted Christians across the world.

In his Tuesday, October 7 homily, Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of the Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda in Angola said the current times call for renewed commitment to prayer, particularly for those suffering because of their Christian faith.

“We must pray, in a very special way, in these difficult times, for Christians, our brothers and sisters, who are being persecuted in many parts of the world,” the Angolan Catholic Archbishop said during the Eucharistic celebration that was held at the Chapel of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) in Luanda.

Archbishop Dias cited countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, China, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria, where he noted that thousands of Christians continue to face discrimination, violence, and even death because of their beliefs.

He emphasized that the Rosary is not a mere repetition of words, but a meditative prayer that nourishes the soul and renews hope.

“This prayer, so ancient and devout, allows us to meditate on the mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary. It strengthens faith, keeps away temptation, and helps us resist negative influences,” the Catholic Church leader said.

Calling the Rosary a “powerful spiritual weapon” in the fight against sin and a tool in the pursuit of holiness, the Local Ordinary of Luanda encouraged all parish communities to revive or strengthen the practice, especially within families.

He described the Rosary prayer as a moment of God in human life, and a comforting presence that gives meaning and quality to existence. “Many saints and faithful have witnessed its powerful effects,” he said.

Reflecting on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Archbishop Dias said her “yes” to God opened the door to salvation.

“The Virgin welcomed the message of the angel and, in her, the Word became flesh. What Mary received as a gift, she offers to us—she gives us Christ,” he said, inviting the people of God to imitate her openness to God’s Word and dedication to His mission.

He described Mary as the “Blessed Mother, ever-present and interceding for us”, who accompanies believers on their journey of faith and teaches them to trust even in hardship.

“Let us pray the Rosary with Mary, with faith and perseverance,” Archbishop Dias encouraged.

Turning his attention to Angola’s national context, he linked the feast to the country’s ongoing Jubilee of 50 years of independence, urging citizens to embrace unity and shared responsibility for the nation’s future.

“May this jubilee mark a new stage in our history. We must build our nation with respect, commitment to the common good, and without marginalizing anyone,” he said.

Archbishop Dias called for active and peaceful citizenship, stressing that nation-building is a collective duty.

“No one has received a blank check to decide the country’s future alone. A nation is built by all hands, with the minds and hearts of all its children,” he said.

Archbishop Dias implored, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life. You, Jesus, are our Redeemer. Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary and our Mother, accompany us and intercede for us. Amen.”

Meanwhile, in the Catholic Archdiocese of Beira in Mozambique, Bishop António Manuel Bogaio Constantino has called on the people of God to pray the Rosary for peace in the world and unity in families, describing the Marian devotion as a bridge of communion in a divided world.

“Each Hail Mary, each mystery meditated upon, can be a bridge of communion where there is division. We must return to the Rosary as an instrument for reconciling wounded hearts, healing divisions, and strengthening family bonds,” the Auxiliary Bishop of Beira Catholic Archdiocese said on October 7.

The Mozambican member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) lamented the suffering caused by wars, civil unrest, and ethnic or religious hatred around the world, noting that families and communities have been torn apart.

“The Rosary prayed by separated families, estranged children, and couples in crisis is a prayer that reaches the throne of God and pleads for reconciliation. May the Rosary be an intercession for peace where fear and mistrust prevail,” Bishop Bogaio said during the Eucharistic celebration that was held at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral of Beira Archdiocese.