Family Rosary International
PERU
World Rosary Campaign: “The Gospel Made Prayer”
www.rosarioenfamilia.org.pe
Latest News
- Family Rosary Representative, Juan Martín Portugal Valenzuela, Wins First-Place in 23rd World Festival of Marian Music
- Sixth Annual Festival of Marian Music Underway in Peru
- Father Peyton Family Institute Serves Poor Families in Peru
Country Demographics/Culture
Peru is very diverse with almost every type of biosphere that exists because of the three basic geographic regions of the country: coast area (mostly dessert conditions), mountains (the Andes which is like a backbone for the country from north to south), and jungle (2/3’s of the country – beginning with the Amazon and the other rivers). Peru is about the size of the State of California. Population is 25 million. Spanish is the national language, but there are also many other indigenous languages and dialects which are officially recognized. Economically, Peru is composed of a small very wealthy class and a small middle class, leaving a large majority of people underemployed and underpaid. The Peruvian Church is very varied and diverse, reflecting the society. There exist tensions between “conservatives” and progressives”. Peru was the birthplace of the Theology of Liberation while at the same time groups like Opus Dei are very strong.
History of the Ministry in Country
Family Rosary came to Peru in 1980 or 1981, for preparations and execution of a Crusade, which concluded in 1982. At that time the Archbishop of Lima Juan Cardinal Landazurri asked Father Peyton to continue the mission in Peru. A renewal of Family Rosary Peru began in 1994 when the District of Peru of the Congregation of Holy Cross took responsibility for the Mission Since then the apostolate has enjoyed the auspices of succeeding Archbishops and then received the auspices of the entire Peruvian Bishops Conference in January of 2001. Today the office has three location: Lima, Chucuito and in the south of Peru.
Ministry Today
Today the ministry is growing with the implementation of a program called ‘World Rosary Campaign; The Gospel Made Prayer.” The Strategy used is the develop networks for collaboration for the distribution of Rosaries, the instructions on how to pray the Rosary and the promotion of the Rosary as a meditation prayer centering on the life of Christ. This outreach effort is accompanied by programs of formation and education, radio and television programming, press and Internet promotion and the production and promotion of materials for the mission. Another interesting area is the School of Mary, which is a program of workshops to prepare catechists, teachers, movements, and parish groups to teach the Rosary. Currently there are two radio programs on Radio Maria, which reaches most of Peru. There is the annual Marian Music Festival, which is promoted nationally, and the annual Try Prayer contest, which is well received. The Director, Father Jaime Phalan, CSC, and the staff of Family Rosary continue to encourage the praying of the Rosary within the family.