By Natalie Romano
As the world marked the one-year anniversary of the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, local Catholics gathered to pray for peace through the most powerful means they can…the Rosary.
“We put up the Rosary, the armor of God, and pray this ends,” proclaimed Elmer Lingao, parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Colton. “The Rosary is our best tool.”
Lingao was among hundreds of the faithful that joined Bishop Alberto Rojas for “A Rosary for Peace in the Middle East” held at The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community in Redlands on October 7th. Answering the call of Pope Francis, the diverse crowd of English, Spanish and Arabic speakers gathered together in prayer, penance and fasting.
The parish along with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem hosted the event that coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The leader of our diocese urged believers to pray with intent so hearts might be changed.
“It is a time of great danger and peril in the Holy Land and in the wider Middle East,” said Bishop Rojas. “Let us turn to our Blessed Mother in this moment of prayer and ask her for protection and her intercession so that the peace of her son our Lord Jesus Christ might prevail…”
Father Erik Esparza JCL, pastor of The Holy Name of Jesus and Director of Priest Personnel for the Diocese lead the trilingual Rosary, but each decade was read in a different language by a different speaker including Monsignor Gerard Lopez, STL, Vicar General. The event was also live streamed on the diocesan YouTube channel.
Local knights and dames of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, visible in the pews with their traditional black or white robes, gather to pray the Rosary the first Monday of every month. The group extended the invitation to all parishioners in light of the pontiff’s request. The main mission of the Order is to maintain the Christian presence in the Holy Land through charitable and spiritual support.
“Living in peace is something we all deserve,” said Dame Densy Chandra, DGCHS, outgoing Area Co-Councillor, San Bernardino. “There is great damage being done to the Holy Land and its people and whatever happens in the Holy Land vibrates throughout the world.”
At press time, more than 44,000 people have died as a result of the conflict, the majority being Palestinians. Some 1,200 people, mostly Israelis, were killed during the initial Hamas assault and more than 200 were taken hostage. October 7th became the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust.
Marc Candelaria wants to stand with all those suffering in the region. He says the conflict is not black and white.
“Some people’s minds are made up but there’s a lot of gray in the world especially in this area,” stated Candelaria, Co-Founder Creation Care Ministry at The Holy Name of Jesus. “I think that’s where our faith comes in, explore that gray area and rise to help with the most dire poverty, the most dire violence.”
Father Ala Musharbash serves as the new chaplain for the Arabic speaking Catholic community in Southern California. He celebrates weekly Masses at The Holy Name of Jesus as well as St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pomona. He told worshippers at the Oct. 7 gathering he didn’t write a speech, preferring to speak from his heart.
“Today we pray…and I hope we also do something for Arabic Christians,” said Fr. Musharbash. “Do what?...Be informed…you can join us for our Masses…Also, you can “do” by giving donations to the poor in the Holy Land.”
Mostly adults attended the evening service but some families with older children were also present. Edeberta Escobar attends Mass at The Holy Name of Jesus’ Columbia Street church and brought her teenage sons, Jesus and Gabriel, in an effort to broaden their horizons.
“I want my kids to be more involved with the community,” explained Escobar. “I want them to learn more about their faith…and help them learn the Rosary in English.”
Renae Ruben hopes the prayer service sparks more interest in the Rosary.
“This is something that needs to happen not just today but all the time,” said Ruben, parishioner of The Holy Name of Jesus. “I pray this event is kind of like a domino. It keeps us doing the Rosary.”
After the prayer service, attendees moved to the parish hall for fellowship and Arabic food which included a traditional chicken and rice dish as well as flatbread covered with herbs and seeds.
Christi Coy, a new member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, was one of the organizers.
“I was nervous. This was my first time being responsible,” said Coy. “I’m honored and blessed it all came together. It was really awesome.”
Natalie Romano is an award-winning freelance writer based in Southern California.