A Catholic organization is distributing free rosaries for faith formation of converted Catholics in Sindh province.

The volunteers of Universal Living Rosary Associciation of ST. Philomina handed out 500 rosaries to the students of Father CyprianHigh School on May 14 in Khipro, a Hindu majority city in Sindh province. Aged 10 to 16, most of the Catholic students belong to converted low caste Hindu families. “Many held and read the rosaries for the first time”, said Sister Roberta Kilbride, the school principal.

The students followed volunteers as they demonstrated reciting mysteries on prayer beads.The association started the tradition of distributing free rosaries in Hyderabad diocese when it handed out 800 rosaries among Churches, schools and Holy Childhood groups.

This month it plans to distribute 1,500 rosaries in six more cities in the southern province. It also organizes awareness seminars and annual rosary conferences, and publishes a quarterly newsletter and books on St. Philomena, patroness of the living rosary.

Afzal Khokhar, in charge of the association, said his team of 40 volunteers is trying to spread the word about Mary where it is unknown. “Their number keeps changing as many leave after realizing there is no stipend. Also some Catholic priests do not cooperate with us; recognition of laity in church is still a challenge,” he said.

Vicar General Father Samson Shukardin of Hyderabad, however, said he appreciated their endeavors. “Their work is important in bringing people closer to church life”, he said, adding that tribal apostolate is important for his “missionary” diocese. “We cannot convert Muslims but there is an appetite for working among the schedule castes”, said the priest.

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