"With These Beads We are Building a World of Peace and Love"

Children singing our theme song Rosary Children
at the end of a Children's Rosary

This is part of the lyrics for the Children's Rosary theme song "Rosary Children".  The song was written for our prayer movement by a wonderful priest.  Just this week the song became available on our new Children's Rosary CDs.  

Some of our groups will be using the song at the end of their Rosary for the first time this weekend.  The picture above was taken at the end of one Children's Rosary while the children were singing along with the CD playing in the background.  

The lyrics are hopeful and help to reinforce the beauty and power of prayer to bring such things as Peace and Love.  Like never before is our world so in need of a wave of love spreading across all borders.  Indeed it may be the smallest among us who can help begin that wave and carry it smoothly across such lands.  

Please consider joining our children in prayer over the next few days.  The Children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Saturday August 30th
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Parish in Corvallis Oregon 12 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET
Sunday August 31st
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick's Parish in Nottingham, England 9AM local time (4AM ET)
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 7AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Pontiac IL 8:25 AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Margaret of Scotland Waterbury CT 10 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston CT 11AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church Hopkington, MA11:15 AM ETChildren's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Logo, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Anthony Church in Lorain, Ohio 3PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Monday Septmber 1st
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Children's Home in Meru, Kenya (5PM local time) 10 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, PA 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ET held in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Other posts you may enjoy:
A Special Dedication
Pure Joy Comes from the Lord
Listen to our new song Rosary Children sung by the children

What to Do when One Keeps Stumbling?

Raising children is a challenge.  At least for my part I find myself with times of little patience and plenty of frustration.  As with many things such times of struggle seem to go in waves.  Times when things seem to be going pretty well at least with one child and then something begins with another.  It is such times when I wonder why the Lord called me to work with children.  From my vantage point I have encountered so many wonderful mothers.  

It is at such low moments that I consider from my position that at least I will not be drawn to judge other parents as I find myself lacking in so many ways.  The asisitance of Our Blessed Mother has been a source of considerable help as I frequently ask her to help me be a better mother and also ask her to help make up for that which is lacking in me. 

Through these frequent stumbles there is a place that offers additional grace and strength.  It is the confessional.  While some may advise monthly confession I seem to find myself seeking the sacrament weekly.  Some may think this is excessive.  Yet the more one wants to draw closer to Our Lord the more sensitive one becomes to the barrier sin presents in hearing His whisper.  Some years ago while reading the book Interior Castles by St. Teresa of Avila I was struck by her description of sin and how it obscures the inner light of Our Lord within us.  As more sin accumulates especially mortal sin it is as though a blanket is put over the inner light of our soul.  "No night can be so dark, no gloom nor blackness can compare to its obscurity. Suffice it to say that the sun in the centre of the soul, which gave it such splendour and beauty, is totally eclipsed, though the spirit is as fitted to enjoy God's presence as is the crystal to reflect the sun" (Intererior Castles).

While a soul in a state of grace is desribed by St. Teresa, "In a state of grace the soul is like a well of limpid water, from which flow only streams of clearest crystal. Its works are pleasing both to God and man, rising from the River of Life, beside which it is rooted like a tree". (Interior Castles) 

As with many of us we only want to be doing what is pleasing to Our Lord and in keeping with His Will.  But in order to hear His direction in all things one must be free of the fog of sin which serves to muffle that which Our Lord is trying to convey to us.  So in this way there is always a desire within to seek out this wonderful sacrament to keep wiping away any fog that roles in as a result of our weakness.

St. Faustina in her diary includes the following "Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [the Sacrament of Reconcilliation] There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimate or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one's misery, and the miracels of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated." (Diary 1148)

"Take Up and Read!"

One of the most famous conversion in the Catholic Church is that of St. Augustine.  After years of pleasure away from the Church St. Augustine experienced a conversion.  His dear mother, St. Monica,  had spent many years praying for her wayward son and shed many tears for him.  So many parents have taken encouragement from the patience and faithfulness of St. Monica and the beautiful gift of such a deep conversion in her son.  St. Augustine has not only been raised to a Saint within the Church but also named a Doctor of the Church.

St. Augustine recounts in the book Confessions the moment of his deep conversion.
I was ... weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when suddenly I heard the voice of a boy or a girl I know not which--coming from the neighboring house, chanting over and over again, "Pick it up, read it; pick it up, read it." Immediately I ceased weeping and began most earnestly to think whether it was usual for children in some kind of game to sing such a song, but I could not remember ever having heard the like. So, damming the torrent of my tears, I got to my feet, for I could not but think that this was a divine command to open the Bible and read the first passage I should light upon...
So I quickly returned to the bench where Alypius was sitting, for there I had put down the apostle's book [Paul's letter to the Romans] when I had left there. I snatched it up, opened it, and in silence read the paragraph on which my eyes first fell: "Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof."[Romans 13:13] I wanted to read no further, nor did I need to. For instantly, as the sentence ended, there was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all the gloom of doubt vanished away.”

It has always struck me, that Our Lord would choose the voice of a child to call St. Augustine to Himself.  There is something particularly special about children, probably their innocence that allows Our Lord to work through them with such a powerful affect.  In reading these accounts in history of the role children have played in calling souls to Our Lord there is a hope that wells in the heart that these ever growing groups of children praying the Rosary will have a profound affect on many souls for the good. 

Children's Rosary CDs

AFTER NINE MONTHS OF PRAYERS AND THE HELP OF SO MANY (INCLUDING MANY CHILDREN) 
WE WE ARE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR 
CHILDREN'S ROSARY CDS

Children's Rosary Glorious Mysteries

Track 1 Rosary Children sung by the Children

Track 2 Introduction

Track 3-9 Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary 

led by members of the 

Children's Rosary with musical accompaniment

Track 10 Hail Holy Queen

Children's Rosary Sorrowful Mysteries

Track 1 "Rosary Children" sung by Jeff Batter

Track 2 Introduction

Track 3-9 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary 

led by members of the 

Children's Rosary with musical accompaniment

Track 10 At the Cross Her Station Keeping

With sweet and angelic voices members of the Children's Rosary lead a Rosary set to peaceful instrumental music.  Timeless and beautiful for all ages.  Both young and old will enjoy praying along with these innocent ones. 

"A Masterpiece"
Fr. Lawrence Tucker SOLT
New York USA

"The Children's Rosary with its tender beautiful prayers has really fostered a love for the Rosary in my young children."
Sandy Gasse
Children's Rosary Group Leader 
Connecticut USA

When Sandy's daughter, Marianne age 5, was asked what she thought of the Children's Rosary CDs which she has been praying along with at home and in the car she shared: 
"It is God that we are talking to and the prayers go right up to Him".

"Listening to the Rosary CDs blessed me in many ways and fortified me spiritually. Can there be a more encouraging and beautiful sound than children in prayer."
Alan Napleton 
President of the Catholic Marketing Network
Texas USA

"The CDs are precious.  I am sharing this information with others.  Every family in America should have these".
Mary Lou Coons
Children's Rosary Group Leader
New York USA

My 16 year old son has struggled for years saying the Rosary due to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). He now is able to pray the Rosary daily using the Children's Rosary CDs.
Anonymous

"It was Angelic. When the members of my Children's Rosary group heard the voices of the children singing, it was music to our souls. We loved it!"
Vicky Bunty
Children's Rosary Group Leader
Pennsylvania USA

"My kids have been listening to the CDs as they fall asleep at night."
Sara Davis
Mother of five
Michigan USA

Children's Rosary Glorious Mysteries CD can be ordered here:

Children's Rosary Sorrowful Mysteries can be ordered here:

If you have any problems ordering the CDs or are interested in larger quantities (10 CDs or more) please contact us at contactchildrensrosary@gmail.com

Lyrics of the Song "Rosary Children" available to download HERE.

Children's Rosary CDs, books and DVDs can also be purchased through EWTN Religious Catalogue HERE.

The Children's Rosary CDs can be purchased at the following bookstores:

CANADA
Universal Church Supplies Saskatoon SK

SINGAPORE
Noah's Ark Creations Singapore

UNITED STATES
California
Marello Bookstore Madera, CA
Connecticut
St. Anthony Book and Gift Shop Derby, CT
Florida
Espiritu Santo Parish Gift Store Safety Harbor, FL
Shrine of Our Lady Queen of the Universe Orlando, FL
San Miguel Gook Shop West Palm Beach, FL
Illinois
Angel's Trumpoet Gifts Joliet, IL
National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe Livertyville, IL
St. John the Evangelist Church Walnut, IL
Indiana
Regina Coeli Gift Shop Lebanon, IN
Shrine of Christ's Passion St. John, IN
St. Joseph Shop Batesville, IN
Kansas
Messenger Bookstore Hays, KS
Michigan
Marian Center of Joy Valley Petosky, MI
Sacred Heart Religious Goods Marquette, MI
Ohio
Mustard Seed  Glandorf, OH
National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon North Jackson, OH
St. Mark Bookshop Centerville, OH
Pennsylvania
Nature's Illusions Religious & Gift Hanover, PA
Texas
Ave Maria Catholic Gifts and Books Odessa, TX

Radio Maria Interview

Thursday August 28th, Ken Huck, host of Meet the Author on Radio Maria will be discussing the Children's Rosary from 3:30-4PM ET.  The program can be heard live on their website.

Ken will start the segement with the new Chidlren's Rosary theme song "Rosary Children". He will also be including clips of the children praying from our new Children's Rosary CD.

Please Join Us!

Happy Birthday Mother Teresa!

Today we celebrate the birthday of Mother Teresa who was born August 26th 1910.  Recently while waiting to enter Confession I happened to see a biography of Mother Teresa in the Church's lending library.  The book looked old and well worn.  A friend was with me and helped in picking it up as it is hard cover and very heavy.  The book was written by Edward Le Joly S. J. the Spiritual Director of Mother Teresa for over twenty-five years.  It is truly a gem.  Of particular interest to me were her early years when she felt the call within a call to begin her order: The Missionaries of Charity.  Joely writes of the early years when it was just Mother working in the streets alone.  

"Meanwhile God was training her-she had to feel utterly useless, inadequate to the task.  She had to cling to Him, throw herself entirely on Him: 'You, Lord only you, all for you: make use of me.  You pulled me out of my convent where I was useful. Now guide me as you wish.'"

Starting the School Year in Prayer

Children's Rosary in Pontiac, IL

Summer is almost over and the school buses are making their routes through the neighborhoods. Children are getting ready to begin their studies again.  

While such times of change can bring anxiety both for young ones and their parents there is something that helps.  It is prayer.  Some schools have begun Children's Rosary prayer groups which have been wonderfully embraced by the students.  This week the Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Pontiac, IL will be meeting Wednesday at 10:25 AM CT.  This group normally meets Friday mornings but will have a special Children's Rosary to open the school year.  

Some of the children chose to continue meeting Fridays mornings during the summer pictured above which was a wonderful grace. 

For those of you with children in parochial schools please consider introducing this prayer group movement to your school. We always continue to encourage individuals to start Children's Rosary prayer groups in their Parishes as well.  

Tuesday August 26th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee, Michigan 6PM ET

Wednesday August 27th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Pontiac, IL at 10:25 AM CT
Thursday August 28th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
The Children's Rosary at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brentwood, California will meet at 6:30 PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Children's Rosary at St. Martin Church in Kingsville, Texas will meet at 6:30 PM ET.

Other Posts you may enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary 
Article about a Children's Rosary in a School in Louisiana
Children are Open to Prayer they only Need an Invitation

A Visit from Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Children's Rosary at St. Marguerite Parish in Brookfield, Connecticut had a special visit from the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The image was brought by one of Our Children's Rosary group leaders to be present during the Children's Rosary.  The Missionary Image has been traveling to parishes across the United States. 

The visit was particularly special as it was also the Feast of the Queenship of Mary last Friday when they were meeting.  For these little ones to be able to look up and see a life size picture of Our Lady before them in prayer was a special gift in deed. 

A Mass Offered for Members of the Children's Rosary

A Mass will be offered tomorrow through the Capuchin Missions for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary.  It is a small way of saying thank you to all who work tirelessly to help spread this Prayer Group Movement and bring more children to Our Lord.

"O Lord, you Have Probed Me and You Know Me"

As we walk with Our Lord there are certainly times of trial.  It is at such times, that prayer and the knowledge of so many praying with us can be a source of strength.  The encouragement of knowing we are not alone in our trials and others are there to support us is such a consolation.  May we all be that love that helps each of us walk through these trials and thus give more Glory to God. Amen.

Please consider joining the children in prayer.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Saturday August 23rd
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Parish in Corvallis Oregon 12 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Sunday August 24th
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick's Parish in Nottingham, England 9AM local time (4AM ET)
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 7AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston CT 11AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Logo, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Anthony Church in Lorain, Ohio 3PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Hanover PA at 3PM ET.
Monday August 25th
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, PA 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ETheld in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Meeting Our Lady in Prayer

Children's Rosary at St. Marguerite Parish in Brookfield, CT

Today the members of the Children's Rosary at St. Marguerite Parish in Brookfield CT have a wonderful surprise.  One of the Children's Rosary group leaders from the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury CT has arranged to bring the missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Rosary today.  It is life size and has been blessed by the local Bishop in Mexico prior to being brought to the United States.  It is wonderful on the Feast of the Queenship of Mary that the children will see their mother before them as they pray.  Our Blessed Mother loves her children and to have them present with her in prayer is also a wonderful gift to her as well.  

We invite those of you unable to attend the Children's Rosary in person to join the children in prayer from your homes.  We have two groups meeting today.

Friday August 22th 
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Marguerite Parish in Brookfield CT 4PM ET

Praying for the Intercession of the Saints

Children's Rosary at St. Pius X

Today the Church honors St. Pius X. The 100th anniversary of his death was also August 20th.  In prayer today, my mind went to the little Children's Rosary we have at St. Pius X in Wolcott, Connecticut USA.  In thinking of these little children meeting in a Church named after this Saint, I was moved to ask for his special intercession for not only the group which meets in a Church named after him but for all the members of the Children's Rosary.  In a special way each new Children's Rosary group that meets in a Church named after a different Saint is like a little gift.  As people contact the Children's Rosary there is always an excitement to hear the name of where a new group will be forming.  Our wonderful Saints are such a source of help for all of us.  In so many small ways their assistance is felt throughout the movement.  We thank them this evening for all they have done to spread the Children's Rosary.  One can see a list of many of the Saints members of the Children's Rosary have prayed to in a nine day novena by clicking here.  

One of the beautiful blessings that we have seen in the children who are members of the Children's Rosary is an increased interest in learning about the Saints and through them following their beautiful example of faith.

22nd International Week of Prayer and Fasting

Mark your calendars!  You are invited to join the 22nd International Week of Prayer and Fasting. This week of prayer and fasting for Peace, the Protection of life and the Conversion of Nations was supported by Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta during their lives.  Pope John Paul II conveyed an Apostolic blessing going forward to all who participate in the week of prayer and fasting.  

Last year members of the Children's Rosary traveled by bus from Connecticut to Washington DC to attend the kick off vigil at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  The children participated in the procession of Nations and then led a Children's Rosary.  The trip was a wonderful experience for the children and through this many wonderful graces and blessings were felt.  

This year the Children's Rosary would like to participate by inviting members to pray and fast during the week of September 20th for the intentions of this initiative.  This prayer and fasting effort for peace is surely timely given all of the world events.

Other posts you may enjoy:
Reflections from the International Prayer and Fasting Vigil 2013
Our Lady has arrived

Praying with Our Children

Please consider joining our children in prayer.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them. Here is a list of some of the Children's Rosary groups which will be meeting over the next few days.

Monday August 18th
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, PA 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ETheld in front of the Blessed Sacrament.


Tuesday August 19th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee, Michigan 6PM ET

Wednesday August 20th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lago Nigeria 1PM ET

Thursday August 21st
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
The Children's Rosary at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brentwood, California will meet at 6:30 PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Children's Rosary at St. Martin Church in Kingsville, Texas will meet at 6:30 PM ET.

A Celebration of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Children's Rosary at Assumption Parish in Umoja Kenya

At Assumption Parish in Umoja, Kenya the Children's Rosary will be hosting some wonderful guests this weekend.  Cardinal Njue will be visiting the Parish and celebrating Mass.  The children will be welcoming him.  Members of many of the satellite parishes in more rural areas are also scheduled to attend.  Our Children's Rosary group leader from British Columbia, Canada has also made arrangements to be there as well.  She has spent the past few weeks in Kenya helping to spread the Children's Rosary prayer group movement to more parishes and in the poorest areas of Nairobi.  

We pray in a special way for all these efforts that through them many more children will be brought together in prayer of the Rosary.  In a special way we present these little children and their prayers to Our Lady.  For we love Our Mother and want to bring a smile to her face on this blessed Solemnity of her Assumption.

Loving Our Lady

On this beautiful Solemnity of the Assumption there is a feeling of love.  Our Mother is so good to us.  She loves her children.  Recently, one of the mom's sent me this picture from our monthly Children's Rosary group meeting.  After finishing the Rosary one of the precious little girls picked up the statue of Our Lady and hugged her. At first I thought maybe she was putting the statue of Our Lady away but on further reflection I could see she actually was just holding. Seeing the smile on this little girls face one can see there is a love and a joy in what she is doing. During such time spent in prayer a love develops, indeed such love from a child must be such a gift to Our Most Loving of Mothers.

Yesterday another wonderful moment.  Sitting on the city bus on the way home from work an older Polish women got on.  I recognized her from daily Mass.  She had just gone to the grocery store and had a bunch of flowers in her arms.  A little boy asked her about the flowers but she responded that she doesn't speak English. Yet no words were needed, there was a feeling in the heart that these flowers were for Our Lady as a gift on her Feast today.  Such acts of love are not new for this older women who often leaves Church by first stopping to touch Our Lady's foot or kiss her on the head. 

To see such love for Our Lady brings joy to the heart.  

Mass Offered For Members of the Children's Rosary

A Mass was offered yesterday for all members of the Children's Rosary.  One of the Children's Rosary gorup leaders decided to have a Mass offered for the Children's Rosary on the 13th of every month.  We are very grateful for this act of generosity.  Such graces are so welcome and needed.

Children's Rosary Advisory Board

Meet the Members of Our Advisory Board.

Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR, is a member and co-founder of the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen in 1967. Currently, he is serving as a Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Canonization for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Father Apostoli currently hosts the show Sunday Night Prime on EWTN. 

Fr. Apostoli has been a wonderful part of the Children's Rosary.  His love of Our Blessed Mother, the Rosary, and his simplicity resonate with the children.

Immaculée Ilibagiza is a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda.  She survived by hiding with 7 other women in a tiny bathroom for 91 days.  She credits the Rosary with helping her find peace and also forgiveness for those who killed her friends and family.  During her time in hiding she recalls praying 27 Rosaries per day.  Immaculée is a beautiful example of love and forgiveness for our children.

Alan Napleton is currently the president of Catholic Marketing Network.  He is the past Executive Director at Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation and past President at Radio Guadalupe.  Alan Napleton has a strong Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Rosary.  Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe's ability to bring so many together, he has tried to follow a similar vocation.  Through the Catholic Marketing Network he has spent over 30 years connecting people for the good.  Alan also has one son and he is named after Pope John Paul II.  Alan has played an important role connecting many wonderful people with the Children's Rosary.  

Catherine Wiley is the Founder of the Catholic Grandparents Assoication.  Catherine has worked tirelessly to highlight the important role of grandparents in the family.   

We are extremely blessed to have guidance from these wonderful individuals.  Each individual brings a wonderful element to the movement.  One common link they all share is a love of the Rosary and a desire to bring more souls to Our Lord.