Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Reflections from the First Children's Rosary Meeting in Belgium

We just received some beautiful pictures from our new Children's Rosary group in Belgium. They held their first meeting on August 31st 2016 at the Shrine in Banneux, Belgium.  They began their meeting with the Rector of the Shrine Consecrating the new group to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Rector Leo Palm has been instrumental in the formation of this new group and has provided significant help with translation of our materials into French. We are extremely grateful for his help and support.  
Rector Leo Palm Consecrating the New
Children's Rosary group

The group leader shared with us several pictures from the meeting. The picture of above shows the 12 children who attended of varying ages.  

My children and I particularly liked the girl in the back row with her arms outstretched.  There is a joy that comes across from the simple act of her stretching out her arms.  It is such unexpected joyful expressions that surely endear these little ones to Our Lord. It seemed that all the children were helping.  Even the little one in the front probably just learning to walk seems to have taken a great interest in holding a large sized Rosary.  One of the older girls shared her talents with music by helping to play an electric piano to accompany the children as they sang between decades.  Other children helped by placing roses at the feet of Our Lady at the end of each decade.  


Indeed so many helped both young and old to make this meeting so very special.  We are also grateful to the Children's Rosary groups around the world that have prayed for Divine help in beginning this group.  It was a powerful moment to remove the line on our intentions sheet asking that a Children's Rosary group would begin in Banneux and replace it with a prayer of thanksgiving. This is just one beautiful example for the children of the power of prayer.  In the Catechism of the Catholic Church it is written, "The Son of God who became the Son of the Virgin also learned to pray according to his human heart. He learns the formulas of prayer from his mother." (CCC:2599)

Three mothers attended the Children's Rosary and one grandmother.  They knelt in the pews while the children were together kneeling before the altar.  Although they were at a distance they were close at hand to help if needed.  Just so one can imagine Our Blessed Mother also watching over these little ones as they knelt in prayer just as she had done with her son, Jesus.  

One of the adults who attended the Children's Rosary that day summarized the meeting: "To say it in a picture, 'A star rose at Bethlehem'. It was an extremely important and a beautiful event."

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Children in Scripture
Gentle Women


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