On the Feast of the Visitation Our Lady Begins a Journey to Africa

Today in honor of the Feast of the Visitation the children helped to send Our Blessed Mother on a journey.  Her destination: a remote region of Kenya near the border with Tanzania.  There the children in some 23 different outposts have asked to begin Children's Rosary groups.  As Christianity is new to this region the area is served by the St. Charles Lwanga Mission.  A seminarian named Br. Cleophus has been traveling to these different outposts.  With two Children's Rosary groups actively meeting each Sunday word has been spreading quickly to the other outposts and they in turn have asked to form their own Children's Rosary groups. 

The new groups meeting in the outposts typically come together to pray the Rosary outside as there are no Churches in this region yet.  It has been our hope to send what we can to help these new groups.  Recently we received the statue shown above of Our Blessed Mother and baby Jesus.  We also received a donation to help send Our Lady on this trip.  Her journey began today in Connecticut USA and will take her across the Atlantic Ocean through Europe and then south through Africa.

We wanted to share some of the pictures taken today as Our Lady began her journey in the arms of two boys who are members of the Children's Rosary.  They carried her to our local post office.  As trips to the post office are frequent we have become good friends with Pat who works at the post office desk.  She has a wonderful smile and is always excited to see where each package is going.

We currently have two more donated statues we would like to send but the shipping costs for each will cost $100.00 .  We are always so grateful to sponsors who can help Our Lady make such a trip to meet little ones far off who want to come together to pray the Rosary. Here is a LINK for more information on how to help.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Children's Rosary in Rombo Kenya

Congratulations to All the Members of the Children's Rosary Who Received Their First Communion this Month

This month many members of the Children's Rosary received their First Holy Communion.  In a special way today, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we thank Our Lord for such a gift.  It is our hope that through the children's prayer of the Rosary their love of the Eucharist will only intensify.

St. Jean Marie Vianney, patron of priests and orphans, urged souls to a frequent reception of the Sacraments.  He was known to say, “All those who receive them are not saints, but the saints are always taken from the ranks of those who receive them frequently.”  St. Jean Marie Vianney strongly encouraged the frequent reception of the Eucharist and likewise stressed the importance of an earnest preparation. 

In one of St. Jean Vianney’s catechisms on the Eucharist he shared, “My children, every creature in the universe requires food that it may live; for this purpose God has caused the trees and plants to grow.  It is a well-appointed table to which all the animals come for the food that suits them. But the soul must also be fed.  Where, then, is its food? ... My children, when God resolved to provide food for our soul so as to sustain her on the pilgrimage of life, He examined the whole of creation, but found nothing that was worthy of her.  So He looked at Himself and resolved to give Himself.”

A special thank you to Matthew pictured above for sharing his picture with us. Matthew is a member of the Children’s Rosary from St. Mary’s Church in Corvallis, Oregon USA.  He received his first Communion on May 4th 2016. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

How to Start a Children's Rosary

Theme song for the Children's Rosary

Did You Receive a Rosary on Your First Holy Communion?

Hundreds Come Together for May Crowning in Pakistan

Yesterday fifteen Children's Rosary groups came together for a Ceremony they had planned in honor of Our Blessed Mother. This began with a Crowning of Mary.

 The children felt it was so special they helped create special clothes for such an honor.  They also decided to give Mary two crowns.  All of this was the idea of the children.  As the children processed down toward the statue of Our Blessed Mother they were blessed by their priest.

 Reverently Our Lady was crowned. The group leader shared that many attending were so moved by the children that they began bringing up garlands of flowers to thank Our Blessed Mother.  A great many people attended the ceremony.  Due to the heat this past week, with temperatures reaching 49 degrees Celcius (140 F), the event was held in the evening.  The Ceremony began at 5PM local time and concluded at 8PM with the children passing through a Holy Door of Mercy.  We will be posting pictures from this part of the evening shortly!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
EWTN Interview about the Children's Rosary
What is the Rosary?

Fifteen Children's Rosary Groups to Meet on May 28th in Pakistan

Fifteen Children's Rosary groups will be coming together to hold a large Ceremony and Crowning of Mary on May 28th 2016.  They will be meeting at St. Joseph Church in the town of Butanpura, Pakistan.  One of the Children's Rosary groups attending is our group in Qila Sujan Singh pictured above. With temperatures reaching 49 degrees Celsius(120F) this week, they have chosen to meet in the evening due to the heat.  The ceremony will begin at 5PM local time(8AM ET) with a crowning of Mary.  Priests from the area will be attending.  The children will also hold a Rosary and lead songs and perform dances in honor of Our Lady. The evening will conclude at 8PM with a ceremony of opening of the Door of Mercy.  

Please consider unifying prayers with the children on May 28th.  They will be praying in a special way for all those unifying prayers with them.  They will also be praying for all the members of the Children's Rosary.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
How to Plan a May Crowning
Hear from the Children

Mass Offered Today for all the Members of the Children's Rosary

A Mass was offered today, through the Capuchin Missions, for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary.  We continue to have a Mass said for the this intention on the 25th of each month. The Eucharist is such a powerful gift from Our Lord that when I wanted to extend thanksgiving to all of you I knew of no better way to express my gratitude.  May Our Lord's love be poured down on all of you through the powerful sacrifice of the Holy Mass. 

The pictures above are of our new Children's Rosary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA.  They met on May 1st 2016 at Lake Sherwood Village.  

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary

First Children's Rosary in Uruguay

We are very excited to share that yesterday the first Children's Rosary was held in Uruguay.  This new group has formed in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Minas, Uruguay.  The group met for the first time on May 21st at 10:15 AM local time.  The group was begun by Lauturo, age 14, under the guidance of Mons. Fuentes, Bishop of Minas.  We met Mons. Fuentes at the World Meeting of Families.  It was a providential meeting in the last few minutes before the booths were closed in the Convention Center.  He approached our Children's Rosary booth with great humility and seemed to grasp immediately the mission of the Children's Rosary.  He spoke these simple words to us, "I could use this in my Diocese".  He has remained in contact with us since the World Meeting of Families.  Upon his return to Minas he asked Lauturo to begin the first Children's Rosary in his Diocese.  This is the first Children's Rosary in Uruguay and second group to form in South America. 

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Minas, Uruguay

Lauturo shared that several of his friends are helping him with the Children's Rosary. His friend Patricia attended the meeting yesterday and helped to lead the group in song before and after the Rosary in honor of Our Blessed Mother. Four children attended the first meeting. The new group was Consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.  In this way, it is under the protection and guidance of Christ and His Mother. The note we received from Lauturo today was full of enthusiasm to invite more children to their next meeting.   

On this Feast of the Holy Trinity, we thank God for this gift of the new Children's Rosary in Minas and all the Children's Rosary groups who continue to meet faithfully throughout the world. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
We Took You All With Us to the Papal Mass
Hear from the Children

Marian Procession in Pakistan

Our Children's Rosary in Ashraf Town Pakistan shared these pictures from their candlelit Marian Procession. The children finished the procession at St. Joseph Church.  They had a special surprise for Our Lady.  The had prepared special decorations and candles in her honor.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
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Rebuilding Our Church
How to Plan a May Crowning

Happy Feast of Pentecost!

Wishing all the members of the Children's Rosary a blessed Pentecost.  

Tonight during our Rosary the children and I prayed in a special way that the Holy Spirit would refresh, invigorate, inspire and sustain our existing Children's Rosary groups and their group leaders. 

Thank you all for your faithful efforts.

The painting above was done by Abigail, at age 6, who is one of the members of the Children's Rosary. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
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Remembering Our Lady

Last Friday The Children' Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Pine Bluff, Wisconsin held a May Crowning at the beginning of their Children's Rosary meeting.  Little Abigail pictured above, who had just received her First Communion the previous Sunday, was chosen to crown Our Lady.  How precious she is standing on the step stool so carefully setting the crown of flowers on Our Lady's head.  Each of the children was able to come forward and place a flower before the feet of Our Lady.  The children then knelt in prayer of the Rosary. 

After receiving these pictures last weekend I found myself contemplating them in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  In particular I could not stop thinking about Abigail. My heart kept pondering the relationship between her First Communion and these special moments with Our Lady.  I began to remember my own son on his First Communion.  During the Mass he received a rose.  As we were leaving the Church and reaching the car, he asked if he could go and see Our Lady.  We said, yes, and he was off running around the other side of the Church.  As we turned the corner, we saw him kneeling in front of Our Lady.  He gave her his rose and kissed her on the head.  
It seemed as I thought about Kostin and Abigail that it was very important to them, to thank Our Lady after receiving their First Holy Communion.  The children had each been meeting in their respective Children's Rosary groups for a long time.  By spending time contemplating the mysteries of the life of Mary and Jesus they knew them now like friends.  Upon reaching that which Our Lady had been preparing them for: their first Holy Communion they did not forget their Heavenly Mother. Each came back to show Our Lady their love and thanksgiving through the gifts they had to give: sweet flowers and prayers.  

Other posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
How to Plan a May Crowning
"Many Things Can Wait but Children Cannot..."

"It is more blessed to give than to receive"

Recently we received word from our Children's Rosary group leader in Rombo, Kenya.  He reported that his group is  "on fire" and growing in number.  In addition to this first group at St. Charles Lwanga Mission a second Children's Rosary group has formed at a more remote outpost of St. Mathias Mulumba. Their first meeting was held on Sunday May 1st. Fifty children attended.  They are shown above with two women who are helping to coordinate this new Children's Rosary group.  The children hold their Children's Rosary outside as there is no Church close to them.  They have decided to meet each Sunday at 2PM.  This is the same time the Children's Rosary at St. Charles Lwanga Mission have chosen to meet so in a beautiful way they are unified in prayer even though they are a great distance apart.  

As we have sent two packages to Br. Cleophus, the first containing 20 Rosaries and our more recent one with 220 Rosaries along with Children's Rosary books and a picture of Our Lady there is a growing need for more Rosaries.  Br. Cleophus explained that there are approximately 300 children and some do not have Rosaries.  Taking this request to prayer an idea came.  As the group meeting in the outpost are not able to meet in a Church and do not have even a picture of Our Lady to place before them maybe we could share something.  The children had rescued a beautiful statue of the Baby Jesus.  We still had the statue.  If we sent another package we could fill the box with both the statue and many more Rosaries. The kids began to count Rosaries and began the task of carefully wrapping Baby Jesus for a long trip.  Everything was put into the box with care.  In total 254 Rosaries cushioned the Baby Jesus in the box. 

Sending a box such as this to a group creates excitement.  There is the walk to the post office and the process of mailing overseas.  There is a joy that comes in knowing children far away will open this box and see all that was packed by small hands on the other side of the world.  The words from today's reading at Mass came to mind, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  (Acts 20:35) 

The children feel this everyday as we experience the joy of sharing that which has been shared with us.  The rosaries that are packed are almost all handmade.  Many people have put love into making them for the children. Others are able to contribute toward the postage.  With so much demand growing there is a great need for help in this area.  Even small donations can help a great deal.  Our Lord and Our Lady can bless every gift and bring fruits from it. For more information on how to help support these efforts click HERE.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
What is the Rosary
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Happy Mother's Day!

Today in the United States and other parts of the world we celebrate Mother's Day.  It is a day to thank and honor our moms.  

We received a beautiful gift today.  Our Children's Rosary group leader from St. Bernard Church in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania USA requested a Mass for all the members of the Children's Rosary and their families to be celebrated today!  

We also had many Children's Rosary groups meeting today.  The picture above was taken at our Children's Rosary at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hartford, Connecticut USA this morning.  The children held a May Crowning and placed a wreath of fresh flowers upon Our Blessed Mother's head. We prayed for all the members of the Children's Rosary and in a special way Mothers...including our dear Blessed Mother.

Thank you all for the ways you are making Mary's month of May so special.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start  A Children's Rosary
How to Plan a May Crowning
Vocation of Motherhood

Beauty All Around Us

Spring is a time of beauty.  Everywhere one turns there are new buds on trees, baby animals and birds.  These little duckling my daughter took a picture of are my favorite.  It is hard to look around and not see some beauty.  

Last week as my daughter and I walked to Mass we noticed some beautiful tulips.  They were a pale pink and just opening.  We commented on their beauty and we both agreed it would be good to get a picture of them.  We were on our way to Church and thought is better not to stop and rather take the picture when we came back on our way home.  Yet on the return trip, we found them very much changed.  The petals were not just opening but rather opened.  Although still pretty they were not the fresh site we had marveled at on the way to Mass. Alina still took the picture but we were aware that the beauty Our Lord showed us was a gift in time.  When we passed by and returned later it was not the same.  Rather it was a different gift.  Spring is full of so much beauty but it is changing very quickly. Seeds are peeking out of the soil one day and the next are standing strong with two leaves.   Such an appreciation of all these tiny glimpses of beauty given in such abundance brings a desire to continue to thank Our Lord. 

Last Friday the Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Parish in Pontiac, Illinois USA had a Mass said in thanksgiving.  May we humbly thank them for giving this very special gift to Our Lord on behalf of the Children's Rosary.  

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
EWTN Interview About the Children's Rosary
Children's Rosary Book

"Turn Then Most Gracious Advocate, Thine Eyes of Mercy Towards Us"

Several years ago Sean, a member of the Children's Rosary, made a comment at the end of the Rosary.  He said, "I wonder what it would be like for Our Lady to turn her gaze and look right at us?"  
Sean, I must share is one of our older members of the Children's Rosary, he is in his seventies and is also blind.  He grew up in Ireland and has prayed the Rosary daily since he was a tiny child. He enjoys coming to the Children's Rosary to pray for his grandchildren who do not live close to him.

Sean's question was a beautiful thought to contemplate. Many times Sean's comment has come to mind while saying the Hail Holy Queen: "Turn, then, Most Gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us."

Recently one of the children who is part of the Children's Rosary, took this picture of Our Blessed Mother in a garden outside of Church.  The sun seemed to fall on the statue in such a way to obscure much of the detail of the statue and reflect a beautiful light.  In looking at the statue of Our Lady with the flowers at her feet, Sean's question came to mind. I thought it a beautiful question to share with the children as they meet this May. 

With the little voices of children rising up to heaven with prayers of the Rosary, what grace must come when Our Blessed Mother upon hearing these prayers turns her head towards them? 

Over the next few days there will be many Children's Rosary groups meeting.  Consider joining the children in prayer. They always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Friday May 6th (First Friday)
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Orange TX 7:05 AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Pontiac, IL 9AM CT

Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Pine Bluff Wisconsin10 AM CT

Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal Pakistan 2PM local time
Children's Rosary at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbanks Alaska 3:30 PM ET 
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Parish in Adrain, Michigan 5PM
Children's Rosary at St. Stephen the Martyr Church in Lilburn Georgia 5PM CT Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 9PM local 
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf Town Pakistan 6PM local time

Children's Rosary at St. John De Cross Pastoral Area Shimankar Nigeria 6PM local time.

Children's Rosary at St. Luke's Parish in Ogallala, Nebraska
Saturday May 7th (First Saturday)
Children's Rosary in Cebu Philippines meets each Saturday.
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis, Oregon 9AM PT
Children's Rosary at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Harare, Zimbabwe 9AM local time

Children's Rosary at St. Agnes Church in Naples FL 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Sharon, MA 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of LaSalette Parish in Sulphur, Louisiana 9:30 AM CT
Children's Rosary at S. Michael the Archangel Parish held in the Kibera Slum in Langatta Nairobi, Kenya to meet at 10 AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Rushden, Northants England 10 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Parish in Syracuse, NY to meet at 10 AM ET at the Daughters of St. Mary Chapel
Children's Rosary at St. Bridget Church in Cheshire, CT 12:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter Church in Musa Dughal, Pakistan 2PM local time
Children's Rosary at Sacred Heart Church in Middleboro, MA 2PM ET
Children's Rosary at the Daughter's of Charity Convent Bridgeport CT 2PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Bristol, CT 2:15 PM ET 
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Tacloban City Philippines 3PM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Becket Church in Cheshire, CT 3PM ET

Children's Rosary at Lake Sherwood Village in Baton Rouge Louisiana 3:PM CT 

Children's Rosary at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, CT 4:00 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Peter's Church in Higganum, CT 4PM ET 
Children's Rosary at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Natchitoches, Louisiana 4:30 ET 
Children's Rosary at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Shrub Oak, NY 4:45 PM ET
Children's Rosary at our Lady of Fatima Parish in Hartford, CT 5PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Richmond, Virginia 4PM
Children's Rosary at Immaculate Conception Church in North Delta British Columbia Canada at 4PM PTChildren's Rosary at Mary Queen of the Universe Parish Comstock, TX 5:15 CT
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashraf town Pakistan meets 6PM local time

New Children's Rosary to Meet on Ascension Thursday

The first meeting of the Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Maple Shade, New Jersey USA will be held tomorrow (May 5th) at 9AM ET.  This new group is being led by two wonderful women: Barbara and Clare.  There is someone else lending his help to this new Children's Rosary group: Quincy.

Quincy is Clare's guide dog.  Clare is blind and for a long time had a desire to work with children and the Rosary but had not yet found an opportunity.  Providentially, Barbara was praying for help in starting a Children's Rosary and heard about Clare.  The rest as they say is history. Tomorrow Barbara, Clare and Quincy will be present at the first Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Maple Shade, New Jersey.  Barbara shared that everything is ready for tomorrow including white flowers that the children will place before Our Lady at the end of each decade. They will begin by Consecrating the new group to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.  In this way the group is under the protection and guidance of Christ and His Mother. 

Clare will be bringing her guitar and plans to accompany the children in song at the end of the Children's Rosary.  Indeed it seems Our Lord had supplied for everything.

The banner which Quincy is wearing was hand embroidered by Barbara's sister. In this way Quincy can help, too.  Children love dogs and with his new embroidered banner, Quincy is hoping to get the word out and bring more children to the Children's Rosary.
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
"If We Pray We Will Believe, If We Believe We Will love"
What is the Rosary?

Mass Offered for Seminarians

Today a Mass was offered for all seminarians that they will grow in holiness and lead us all in love.  his is something the Children's Rosary does on the first of each month. 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.