Thursday, December 23, 2010

Company offers electronic rosary with late pope's voice leading prayers

An Italian company is offering an electronic rosary with the voice of Pope John Paul II leading the prayers. 

The Prex Co., based in Loreto, Italy, said in a press release that the device, complete with headphones, "was conceived to promote greater use of prayers in daily life."

Electronic rosaries have been on the market for some time, but this year's novelty is the voice of the late pope reciting in Italian the traditional rosary prayers as well as the luminous mysteries of the rosary, which he added in 2002, the company said.

A recording that follows the rosary calendar for each day of the week can be turned on with a simple click, the press release said. 

The electronic rosary comes in various colors and models and a choice of images including those from Our Lady of Lourdes and other Marian sanctuaries.

One model is in the shape of a heart; a red light pulses like a heartbeat when it is turned on. All are light and fit in a pocket.

The makers said the electronic rosaries can be particularly useful for people who are not mobile, for example the elderly, to help them feel "less alone." 

It is also a good tool for teaching children prayers, the company said on its website.

The rosaries are currently offered with texts in English, French and Spanish, and others will be added, the company said.

SIC: CS/INT'L