A Child Makes a Request that Seems Impossible, but Is It?

In June we received a note from a 14 year old boy from the Philippines. I will call him "Courageous" for privacy reasons. He wrote "I'm from the Philippines I like your Prayer movement because this way the Children, through the Rosary can reach God." He was interested in starting a Children's Rosary in his parish and let us know that he would be asking permission from his pastor.

He received permission to begin a Children's Rosary from the Pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish. Preparation began and Rosaries were sent to him along with some Children's Rosary books. The materials arrived in record time. Praise God!  

Courageous wrote to us "Thank you for your generous help for me, I prayed for you and the Children's Rosary groups everyday".

He also had a request for 400 Children's Rosary books, 10,000 Rosaries, a Joyful and Sorrowful Children's Rosary CD, a Children's Rosary DVD, 2 read aloud Children's Bibles, 900 Children's Rosary bookmarks and bumper stickers.

The sheer number of Rosaries he asked for left me wondering how many children were there in his group?

Courageous would explain that these were not all intended for the group in his parish. But rather he hoped for others to use them in his city who could begin Children's Rosary groups in their parishes. These were not all meant for him, but many.  Some of what he requested seemed possible to fulfill but the Rosaries and the 400 Children's Rosary books would be more difficult. But what I have learned through the Children's Rosary is not to underestimate what  a child can do or what God can do through a child. Tran in Vietnam taught me this. Children have a wonderful innocence in their hearts to see all that is possible. It does not occur to them that such things: as spreading a prayer group movement for children throughout one's city would be too difficult. Instead it seems wonderful!  This excitement is just what we need. There is no need to give lessons in the possible or reasonable but rather take a lesson from the children and remain open to what God can do. 

The materials we send all come through Divine Providence. So the scale of what we have to offer is not dictated by us. We send what we receive. So in this way the sky is the limit. In the school of Our Lady I have learned not to dismiss any request as too much. Anything is possible with God. I have also learned that God works through people. Rarely does money or Rosaries fall from the sky. But in a way it does because through the hands of many we have received so many beautiful handmade Rosaries.  Some have come from people we have never met but through some means heard of the Children's Rosary and wanted to help. Maybe you are just that person who makes Rosaries or knows someone who makes rosaries and is willing to send them where they are needed. Or maybe you are a person who is able to make a donation to help us send Rosaries that are donated.  The need is great. But that is part of the good news of this post. The fact that we have many priests and individuals waiting for materials to begin groups is actually incredibly hopeful. So in the face of much bad news in the world there is good news. The children are helping to bring a bright light of hope. They have dreams to see many more children like themselves praying. My hope is that we can keep saying yes to each request. The requests are coming from many places such as the United States,  Australia, Tanzania, Kenya, Brazil, Mexico, Uganda, Venezuela, Pakistan, Vietnam to name just a few locations.

Information on how to help HERE.

The pictures included in this post were sent from Courageous. This is the outpost of St. Joseph the Worker where he plans to begin his Children's Rosary on September 2, 2017. This outpost is a Chapel named after Our Lady of Lourdes. Courageous told us that the children will meet in the Chapel for the Children's Rosary. Five flowers will be given, one at the end of each decade to Our Lady. Then all the children will go outside to the garden to give Our Lady more flowers (the garden is pictured above). 

The pictures Courageous sent are very interesting. They look as if they were taken through a thick bottle...almost as if one was looking through a small port hole in a ship and the view outside has some distortion. There is a sense that what one is seeing is a far off place....a glimpse to something very beautiful. 

Indeed it is beauty that we are seeing. We are seeing a young soul hoping, praying, wishing to help other children like himself come together in prayer. Yes 10,000 rosaries is a lot. But is it impossible?

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
A Window to the World Through Prayer
Hear from the Children
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

For more information about the Children's Rosary visit our website: www.childrensrosary.org
Visite nuestro sitio web en español para obtener más información: www.rosariodeninos.org

Release of Our Children's Rosary - Joyful Mysteries CD

We are excited to announce on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary that our Children's Rosary - Joyful Mysteries CD is now available to order! 

Highlights from the CD include:
*The theme song for the Children's Rosary prayer group movement: "Rosary Children" sung by members of the Children's Rosary. 
*The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary led by children who are part of the Children's Rosary set to soft instrumental music.
*The release of "Catherine of Siena" a new song about this beloved saint.
*There is also a Classical Marian Hymn included on the CD: "The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came".

Order Joyful Mysteries CD HERE.

If you have yet to purchase our two prior CDs the Glorious and Sorrowful Mysteries, EWTN is offering a special bundle price for all three! 
Order HERE.

Entire collection of Children's Rosary materials available to order HERE.
Thank you to all who through your efforts and prayers helped to bring this CD to fruition. Thank you God and Our Lady for the grace that sustained this project. May this CD bring Glory to God and joy to Our Blessed Mother. Amen.

A Lukewarm Soul

Dear Friends,

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration: the fourth luminous mystery of the Rosary. The fruit of this mystery is often listed as desire for holiness.  I always love thinking about this fruit. For such a grace to keep striving to move forward toward sanctity is indeed precious. 

As the Feast of the holy St. Jean Vianney was Friday, I thought I would include some portions of a sermon the Holy Cure of Ars gave about lukewarm souls. Please do not think I am preaching by including this here, far from the truth. The words of Jean Vianney challenge all of us. We are constantly battling attachment to the world. 
The sermon is quite lengthy so I will mention portions that drew me to pick up a pen and underline. I will even do a bit more pruning for the purposes of the post and select still fewer parts to share. 
Let us begin with the lukewarm soul. 

Nothing touches this soul: it hears the word of God, yes that is true, but often it just bores it. 

For the last twenty years this soul has been filled with good intentions without doing anything at all to correct its habits.

Yet it does not wish either to leave the world or to go to Heaven, and if it can just manage to pass its time without crosses or difficulties, it would never ask to leave this world at all. In this Matthew 6:24 comes to mind, "You cannot serve two masters either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." 

If God, in order to force such a a soul to detach itself from temporal things, send it any cross or suffering, it is fretful grieving and abandons itself to grumblings and complaints and often even to despair. It seems as if it does not want to see that God has sent it these trials for its good, to detach it from this world and to draw it towards Himself.

His mind is so wrapped up in the things of the earth that the thought of God has no place in it. 

Reading these words of the Holy Cure one could become discouraged, please do not. The world wants to draw us away. It keeps throwing cords around us...tying us down....distracting us. But there are also cords that Heaven sends down such as the Rosary. They are stronger than the earthly cords. They are made of a material not found on earth so there is no concern they will break at just the wrong time. They have been wrought over centuries through grace within the Church. St Dominic whose Feast we celebrate tomorrow was one such instrument that helped in the forging of the Rosary that we know of today. But do not doubt the strength of the gift we were given from heaven. Faithfulness in prayer will give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear where we have stepped off the narrow path and hasten to get back on it.

Let us keep each other in prayer. I humbly remember all the members of the Children's Rosary in my prayers each day.

Your Friend in Christ,
Blythe

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
"The Greater the Sinner, the Greater the Right He Has to My Mercy"
A Day of Incredible Blessings
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

For more information about the Children's Rosary visit our website: www.childrensrosary.org
Visite nuestro sitio web en español para obtener más información: www.rosariodeninos.org

Thanks Mom!

Our three children have been spending time at grandma's farm this summer. There has been considerable excitement as a set of chickens began sitting on eggs. On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus a chick was born. 

The two mother hens helped to rear four little chicks. There was great amazement at how little needed to be done with the chicks. Normally this is difficult work keeping conditions just right for these tiny chicks that need to be kept at temperatures greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet with the mother hens very little needed to be done by grandma or the kids. The chicks would nuzzle under their moms. At the sound of food coming they would emerge running at full speed...always under the watchful eye of mom. There was also lots of fun to be had. One of the chicks loved to climb up on its mother and slide down her back. (see top picture)

Grandma has had several sets of chicks which she got at the store. But she said these chicks reared by their moms were doing things the other chicks did not do until much later. She shared that as the chicks got big enough not to need to sleep under the heat of their mother, they began joining their mothers on the roosting bar. (See picture below) They were learning a great deal from mom. So through watching these little chicks grow the kids and I have learned a great deal, too. 

Today when we celebrate the Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major we thank Mary who is a Mother to all of us. In thanksgiving, a Mass was offered today for the intentions of Our Blessed Mother. Thank you Mother Mary!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
12 Rosaries "Left Over"
A Window to the World Through Prayer
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

For more information about the Children's Rosary visit our website: www.childrensrosary.org
Visite nuestro sitio web en español para obtener más información: www.rosariodeninos.org

St. Jean Marie Vianney Pray For Us

Today is the Feast of St. Jean Marie Vianney.  Last year the children and I read  the Curé d'Ars together. As we read it we fell in love with this humble saint. Catherine Lassagne a close friend of his described him, "M. le Cure was so small, so utterly nothing in his own eyes that the Holy Ghost loved to fill with a wonderful abundance of lights the void thus made by his selflessness."

It was said of this Saint that he always seemed to have but one thing to do, the duty of the present moment. Yet St. Jean Vianney was able to continually lift his heart to Our Lord even while fulfilling his duties.  He had a way of weaving prayer throughout his day.
"Prayer is a fragrant dew. The more we pray, the more we love to pray." -St. Jean Vianney

The picture above is of a pond. The water almost a mirror of that which is above. St. Vianney seemed to be such a polished mirror reflecting Our Lord.  Many drew to him to catch a glimpse of such holiness. He thought very little of himself despite such attention. Some would grab at his clothes as he would walk to the Church, they hoped to get a piece of cloth to keep as a relic for they felt that he was a living saint. Indeed they were right about his sanctity. But he would tell them to make their own relics. This is also the beauty of St. Jean Vianney. He kept challenging those around him to progress in holiness....to become saints themselves. Today on his feast we ask for his help. St. Jean Marie Vianney pray for us!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
St. Jean Vianney's Thoughts on Public Prayer
St. Jean Vianney and the Eucharist
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

For more information about the Children's Rosary visit our website: www.childrensrosary.org
Visite nuestro sitio web en español para obtener más información: www.rosariodeninos.org

Visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs

Last week on the last leg of our car journey from the CMN conference in Illinois to our home in Connecticut we were able to make a visit to the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, New York also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs.

We had just come from the National Shrine of St. Kateri and upon driving upon this blessed ground we found this was also the birth place of St. Kateri.  The hills extended in all directions with beautiful vistas. It had been cool and raining so there were very few people at the Shrine.

Yet the weather was with us and cleared in time for us to walk the expansive grounds. There was a wrought iron gate that opened to lead to a dirt road going down to the Ravine. Along the road was the story of the martyrdom of St. Rene Goupil. The road ended with a clearing... the suspected location of Rene Goupil's death.

Standing in this clearing we knew that it was a very special place. We prayed. In a special way I said a prayer all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary. We then walked back up the road noticing this time more of the nature around us. There was a little stream that ran along the road. At one place there was a small wooden bridge that led to an area to pray. We made our way up the road and passed through the gate that had marked the beginning of the journey down to the Ravine. As we walked through a wooded area to reach the colosseum we passed through an area with mosaics honoring the 7 sorrows of Mary. The kids and I decided to follow Our Lady's sorrows. There were readings at each marker which I read aloud to the kids. The final sorrow led us toward the colosseum. This large round structure had many beautiful statues both of the North American Martyrs but also of the Child Jesus and Our Blessed Mother. The kids and I chose the colosseum to say a Rosary. We walked around the rotunda looking at each side and then decided we should pray in front of all the statues...not simply choosing one side. And so we began praying and then with each successive decade we moved just enough to catch a glimpse of a different statue. In this way we felt that none was being left out and we were experiencing the full joy of praying with a great many saints. In a special way we prayed during the Rosary for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary. This was the close of our journey to the CMN Conference...our last stop before returning home. Please know we carried you all with us in prayer. We thank you for your prayers for our journey.

Other Posts You May Enjoy
How to Start a Children's Rosary
"The Road that Leads to Life"
Little Hands Rescue Mary and Jesus

Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

For more information about the Children's Rosary visit our website: www.childrensrosary.org
Visite nuestro sitio web en español para obtener más información: www.rosariodeninos.org

Mass to be Offered on August 1st 2017 for Seminarians

A Mass will be offered tomorrow for all seminarians that they will grow in holiness and lead us all in love. Every month we have a Mass offered for this intention. As our seminarians will be the future shepherds and our children are the future flock, it seemed a beautiful way for the children to help. 

We have been periodically featuring different seminarians on the first of the month by inviting them to share something of themselves - a beautiful sharing of faith and love of Our Lord.

The Seminarian we will feature this month is Collins Ashu. He is attending seminary in the Archdiocese of New York.

He shares:
I am Collins Ashu, born and raised in Cameroon, Africa. I am the 6th child from a family of 8. I moved to the U.S in 2015 and I joined the seminary in the fall of 2016. 

My love for the priesthood actually started when I was 7 years old. The Pastor at my parish was very active and he loved his job. His actions and works made me to admire him and dreamt of being like him one day.  His love for the Scriptures also influenced me a lot. At this age of 7, I was attending CCD classes for my first holy communion. I received Jesus when I was 8 and I grew more deeper in the vocation because that's when I actually confirmed my vocation. I also started serving Mass with this priest at this age.

My family played a great role in my vocational discernment. As a family we had daily morning and evening prayers and for those who would not attend the morning prayers were oblige to go to morning Mass which I usually do. At morning prayers we prayed the psalms 5, this also influenced my love for the Holy Scriptures. My mother dedicated the family under patronage of St. Faustina of the Divine Mercy and so she prayed for me through her intercession.

I had loved praying the rosary. At that age I prayed the rosary though not daily.

Collins also shared our hope to see the Children's Rosary begin in his home country of Cameroon. As we keep featuring seminarians it is interesting to see many, including Collins, first felt drawn to the priesthood at a tender age. In his case between the ages of 7 and 8. These seeds that Our Lord sows in the hearts of men need protection and cultivation. Families are the perfect nurseries for these vocations as one can see in Collins family. One can also imagine a prayer group such as the Children's Rosary might be a help as well. Having an opportunity to come together and pray with other youngsters is an affirmation of ones faith and a support during trials which most certainly come through youth. 

May I humbly ask those reading this to pray for Collins Ashu. These men surely need our prayers. Collins wrote expressing his gratitude for our prayers for him. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Featured Seminarians from July 1 2017

Mercy in Action: Children Visit a Leper Community

How to Start a Children's Rosary

Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

For more information about the Children's Rosary visit our website: www.childrensrosary.org
Visite nuestro sitio web en español para obtener más información: www.rosariodeninos.org