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