May 13th Children's Rosary

Feast Of Our Lady Of Fatima

The sky was clear blue and the air was warm with a light breeze.  One could not have asked for a more picture perfect day.  There was much to arrange to set up for the rosary and the normal course is that I am always rushing trying to get everything in place.  Each time I look at the clock I am surprised at how little time there is to get everything done.  However,  this day would be different.  There were still many candles to light, rosaries to lay out and of course the rose to be planted had to have all the neccessary watering cans and shovels.  Yet, there was a palpable peace in the air.  Each item to be placed was done deliberately and with care.  The clock which always seems to be racing forward seemed to be moving so slowly.  I could not believe how much time we had and yet there still was more to spare for a few moments of prayer before we started.  The presence of Our Lady Queen of Peace was felt in a special way the whole morning.  The children led our rosary and then came out to the bright sun to plant a rose for Our Lady.  We prayed that 1,000 families would begin family prayer for every petal that forms on each blossom of the rose.  We wanted this to be a special gift for Our Lady on The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima and Mother's Day.

The children plant a Peace Rose for Our Lady

Even the youngest children took turns watering

Peter with care tries to get the water right at the roots.

Moments after the rose was in the ground we all went inside for Sunday Mass which the children had offered for renewal of family prayer.  It would turn out to be one of the most powerful Masses I have ever attended.
(See post "I chose You" for more about the Mass)