Children's Rosary

The Children's Rosary® is a prayer group movement that was begun out of love for Our Lady and Her Son. Jesus tells us "Truly, I say to you unless you turn and become like children you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:3). The Children's Rosary is an effort to begin in parishes rosary prayer groups composed of children and led by children. Through prayer of the Rosary Our Lady will guide our young people while at the same time sanctify families and Parishes.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Children's Rosary Christmas Card!

On the Feast of the Archangels we are excited to release our Children's Rosary Christmas card. This announcement comes at the end of a 9 day novena to the Archangels and all the choirs of angels.
The painting on the card was done by one of our Children's Rosary members, Abigail, pictured below who is 10 years old. The photograph does not capture the beauty of these cards in person. They are exquisite. There is a tenderness in the faces of the angels that comes through. Children have a unique and beautiful way of seeing things. The inside of the card reads:

May Jesus be born in your heart this Christmas

and may He grant you joy and peace.

We are excited to make these cards available. They stand as a witness of all that children can do to honor Our Lord. Each card also is like a tiny seed ... a way to evangelize. On the back of each card there is our Children's Rosary logo and contact information. As these cards are sent out we pray that many will providentially find out about the Children's Rosary. Many prayers are being said that the angels will help in our efforts to reach souls. We also have spiritually gifted the image of the card to Our Lady.

These cards are available to order through EWTN religious catalogue in the United States.

ORDER HERE

EWTN does ship internationally. If you are in Europe and have interest in the cards please let us know via email (blythe@childrensrosary.org). We may be able to inquire if EWTN Great Britain could carry the cards. Likewise, if you are in Australia and have an interest we can also explore options for the materials to be carried locally. With each box of cards that is purchased, one dollar goes to help the work of the Children's Rosary.
* Please note that the watermark present on the photograph above is not present on the cards themselves.

Friday, September 28, 2018

An Invitation

Recently in prayer an image came. It was of a young child swimming in the ocean. He moved along well. His destination was clearly ahead of him. It was an island. The child knew this was his home and he put all his effort into getting there. In prayer a scene began to unfold. Time was elapsing. The child was aging and growing older. As the child swam something took hold of his leg. It was much like sea weed. The weed was anchored to the bottom of the water. It seemed to make every effort to wrap itself around the boy’s leg. More of these weeds began to do the same thing.

The weeds not only stopped the progression of the swimming towards the island but also pulled the boy lower into the water. He struggled. But with so many weeds now around the boy he was pulled down below the surface of the water. Now imagine that the boy was able to remain under the water without perishing. As more weeds continued to take hold and others tightened, the boy was drawn deeper and deeper under the water. While at first the boy could see just beneath the surface of the water the light and at times he even could caught a glimpse of the island in the distance, however, as he sank lower he could see nothing. He began to forget which direction was the island. Was it in front or behind? He was disoriented. After a time he forgot about the island and even began to not notice the weeds. He became comfortable under the water. He began to enjoy some of the things that were around him. He no longer realized he was disoriented in his direction and was content where he was and made no effort to resist the weeds.

This general scene was something that seemed to come in prayer…prayer mixed with imagination perhaps. But the idea was something I rolled around in my head some weeks ago.

The idea came back this week in prayer and more unfolded. I thought of each of us..myself perhaps in the situation of the world. When we are born in our innocence we see things in simplicity more clearly. Our hearts are open to prayer and love. When exposed to prayer and God through our parents we move quickly along the spiritual journey toward the home we seek: union with God and eternity in heaven. As we grow the world tries to tie us down. If we are not careful, we begin to be drawn more toward the world then to God. We begin to have attachments in the world. We lose our direction and often do not even realize how many attachments have taken hold and how strong they have become.

I thought of the young person in the story beneath the water. He certainly is not alone. Many may be under the water as well. I imagined Our Blessed Mother, always watching with concern for her children, wanting to help them, wanting to guide them. A safety line is lowered to the boy. It is a Rosary. It is moored to the island….to his true home. When he prays the line pulls him toward the correct direction. The more he prays and trusts the stronger the pull. With more prayer some of the newer weeds become loose and give way. The boy now begins to perceive the weeds and that he is tied down. This is an important step because an awareness of the weeds will help in breaking free. More prayer allows the tightness of some of the weeds to lessen and he moves higher. He begins to see the light. The pull of the line has now become very strong. As the intensity of the prayer and frequency of the prayer increases the boy can move more and he is beginning to be able to help in pulling free.

Yet there may be some very strong weeds that have been there for so long and become so thick that they still resist. These may be things that are hard to give up. Areas we protect. Sometimes we do not even perceive the things that have the tightest hold on us.

One of the promises of the Rosary states: “it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things”. Indeed the Rosary has an incredible power to rip us from the attachment of the world. It is thus of great benefit for all souls especially young ones.

There is something else that can help cut those thick weeds, especially the old ones that have a firm hold. It is fasting.

Even Our Lord said in the Gospels that certain demons can only be expelled by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). For my own part, I have seen the fruits of the Rosary in my life…a drawing away from many distractions. Yet the world is strong and things are always trying to take hold even when you think you are free. Fasting has been of great benefit in my own life. While weekly fasting is good to help prevent new weeds from taking hold or remove newly attached weeds, longer fasts have the ability to break through the thick, toughest older weeds. Coupling prayer and fasting allows each to become more effective then one by itself. Imagine that through a longer fast the boy is able to break free of all the weeds. While praying his Rosary, he can follow the “life line” to the surface. The pull of the Rosary now has nothing holding it back. The boy moves quickly and without impediment to Our Lord. It is a direct way home. There is no getting lost.

How many of us have things that weigh on us that hold us back. Things we struggle with interiorly and in our family. How good it would be to purify ourselves.

It has been a yearly tradition within the Children’s Rosary to do 9 days of prayer and fasting in the fall. This year it will begin on September 29 and end on October 7th. We hope many will want to join us. Bread and water fasting is very effective. Some may not be able to fast on bread and this is okay. Prayerfully discern what is the best fasting for you. In the past, we have had adults and children join this fast. We do ask that you prayerfully consider what is safe and reasonable for you and your family. Some may be able to do a traditional bread and water fast. This is unlimited bread and water. Others may find another thing in their life that would be a great sacrifice to give up for that period. One of the most important things when one begins a fast is the disposition. One must approach fasting as an act of love to God.

Some may want to do this fast but have not fasted before and wonder if they could complete 9 days. What I have found is that the first two days are the hardest. There is this portion of each of us which I will call “self” that will complain and nag that you should give up. Do not listen to this. After several days that voice will lessen. I would like to give up some of the merit of my fast for those of you who would like to do this fast but who might at first be intimidated by the duration. I wish to ask Our Lord to grant souls the grace and the strength to say, yes. This is a humble invitation to each soul, an invitation to help to rid yourself of all the things holding you back spiritually. I will be praying for you.

The fast will begin on September 29th the Feast of the Archangels.

1) Pray one Rosary each day meditating on the life of Christ

2) Fast for 9 days

Listed below are the intentions for this 9 days of prayer and fasting:

*Lord please purify our souls from the attachments of the world. Jesus we surrender all we have, please take control of our lives and our families. May Jesus be born in our hearts and may He renew us. May the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and actions. May our hands be the extended hands of Mary and Jesus in this world. May the members of the Children’s Rosary also be the extended hands of Mary and Jesus in this world and gather a great many souls especially young people for Our Lord.

*Personal Intentions ( )

*May all that Our Lady wishes to accomplish through us and the Children’s Rosary be accomplished all for the glory of God.

*May the Children’s Rosary View from Heaven never go dark…may it always be illuminated in prayer.

*For a special Children’s Rosary intention.

*In thanksgiving

Popes Have Spoken Beautifully About the Value of Fasting

Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the value of fasting in his message for Lent on Feb 25th 2009:

The faithful practice of fasting contributes, moreover, to conferring unity to the whole person, body and soul, helping to avoid sin and grow in intimacy with the Lord.

Fasting certainly bring benefits to physical well-being, but for believers, it is, in the first place, a “therapy” to heal all that prevents them from conformity to the will of God.

By freely embracing an act of self-denial for the sake of another, we make a statement that our brother or sister in need is not a stranger.

Pope John Paul II spoke about fasting on Sunday Angelus March 10th 1996:

Fasting is to reaffirm to oneself what Jesus answered Satan when he tempted him at the end of his 40 days of fasting in the wilderness: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4)

Second Episode about the Children's Rosary on EWTN's Church Universal Scheduled to Air the Week of September 30th 2018

We received news from Eternal World Catholic Network (EWTN) today that the second episode about the Children's Rosary on the Church Universal has been scheduled to begin airing on September 30th. The show is called Children in the New Evangelization. The first show will begin airing on Sunday September 30th at 5PM Eastern time. The current schedule of the Church Universal provided by EWTN is below:

Sunday at 5PM Eastern Time

Tuesday at 5AM Eastern Time

Wednesday at 6:30 PM Eastern Time

Sometimes there are unexpected changes in the airingso always check the Church Universal web page www.ewtn.com/churchuniversal/

For those who do not get EWTN on their cable system, The Church Universal can be live streamed on the internet at the above times/days on the EWTN website at www.EWTN.com.

EWTN does not routinely post the Church Universal to YouTube so mark your calendars for the air times.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Mass Offered for the Members of the Children's Rosary on September 25th 2018

A Mass was offered today 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 picture above was taken this summer of our Children's Rosary group in Geenville, Texas. They meet twice a week. Recently we heard from the group leader that they have been telling more parishes in their region about the Children's Rosary. She shared:

We have two new parishes in the Dallas Diocese, that have approved the Children’s Rosary. St. Anthony’s in Wylie, Tx. will have their first meeting on September the 26th and St. Jude’s in Allen, Tx. will have theirs on October the 4th. There are more to come.

We are very grateful for all those who help to spread word about the Children's Rosary and encourage more groups to form. May God bless you.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

"Whoever Sows Bountifully will Reap Bountifully"

Nuestra Fe en Vivo interview

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.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR NEW VIDEO:

A VIEW FROM HEAVEN

UNA PERSPECTIVA DESDE EL CIELO

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

Pour plus d'informations sur le Rosaire des Enfants, visitez notre site Web:www.rosairedesenfants.org

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Preparing for the Feast of the Archangels on September 29th 2018

Today in prayer of the Rosary I was reminded of the upcoming Feast of the Archangels which has always been a day of grace for the Children's Rosary. For my own part, as founder of the Children's Rosary, I have a special devotion to St. Michael and the Angels. The Chaplet of St. Michael is one of my favorite prayers. For years this is what I prayed as I walked to daily Mass. I ceased doing this only because of my joint problems in my hands that seemed to worsen holding a prayer book while I walked. In thinking about the feast, I was reminded of a gift we received 5 years ago on the Feast of the Archangels. On September 29th 2013 an interview aired on EWTN about the Children's Rosary. This was the first mention of the Children's Rosary on EWTN. By the grace of God many other interviews have followed as well as the regular airing of the Children's Rosary on EWTN. Yet that first interview was special and there has yet to be another one that has seemed to touch hearts in quite the same way.

In anticipation of September 29th 2018, the Feast of the Archangels, I would like to begin a 9 day Novena (September 20-29th) which will include the daily prayer of the Chaplet of St. Michael. Humbly I invite others including members of the Children's Rosary to join in praying the Novena.

The intention of the Novena:
May St. Michael and the Archangels as well as all the choirs of angels:
*Help to protect the Children's Rosary including all the members.
*Help to spread the Children's Rosary throughout the world.
*Help to support, guide and strengthen the members of the Children's Rosary, that we may be the extended hands of Jesus and Mary in this world.

This 9 day novena will help to prayerfully prepare us for the annual 9 Day Novena of Prayer and Fasting that has become a tradition for the Children's Rosary. This will begin on September 29th and end on October 7th (the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary).

We will also have an exciting announcement on September 29th in honor of the Angels.

Chaplet of St. Michael

The Chaplet is begun by saying an Act of Contrition(see at bottom of page for prayer) followed by:

V. O God come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, Make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father...

First Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the first Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make me worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.

Second Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the second Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim, may the Lord vouchsafe to grant us grace to leave the ways of wickedness and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.

Third Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the third Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones, may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.

Fourth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the fourth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and subdue our unruly passions. Amen.

Fifth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the fifth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the snares and temptation of the devil. Amen.

Sixth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the sixth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil, and suffer us not to fall into temptation. Amen.

Seventh Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the seventh Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.

Eighth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the eighth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen.

Ninth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the eighth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted hereafter to eternal glory. Amen.

At the end say one Our Father each in honor of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and Our Guardian Angel.

The chaplet is concluded with these prayers

O glorious Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of soul, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil who turn to thee with confidence and enable us by the gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

V. Pray for us, O Glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.

R. That we may be made worthy of His Promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by an act of Goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech You, to be delivered by his powerful protection from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Chaplet:

An Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishment, but most of all because they offend Thee my God who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Upcoming EWTN Airings of the Children's Rosary in September and October 2018

Airings can be viewed LIVE streaming from anywhere in the world. All air times are given in Eastern Time. A copy of our Children's Rosary video, including all four mysteries of the Rosary and bonus features, is available to purchase HERE.

September 2nd 5:00 AM ET Africa
September 2nd 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 3rd 10:30 AM ET Europe
September 3rd 5:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
September 4th 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 5th 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 6th 4:00PM United States
September 9 5:00 AM ET Africa
September 9th 5:00PM ET Pacific Rim
September 10th 4:00 PM ET United States
September 10th 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 11th 10:30 AM ET Europe
September 11th 5:00PM ET Pacific Rim
September 12th 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 13th 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 16th 5:00 AM ET Africa
September 16th 5:00PM ET Pacific Rim
September 17th 5:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
September 18th 4:00PM ET United States
September 18th 4:00PM ET Canada
September 18th 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 19th 5PM ET Pacific Rim
September 20th 5:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
September 23rd 5:00 AM ET Africa
September 26th 4:00 PM ET United States
September 26th 4:00 PM ET Canada
September 30th 5:00 AM ET Africa
October 7th 5:00 AM ET Africa
October 7th 4:00PM ET Pacific Rim
October 8th 4:00 PM ET United States
October 8th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 9th 10:30 AM ET Europe
October 9th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 10th 4:00 Pm ET Pacific Rim
October 11th 4:00PM ET Pacific Rim
October 14th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 15th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 16th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 17th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 18th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 21st 5:00 AM ET Africa
October 21st 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 22nd 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 23rd 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 24th 4:00 PM ET United States
October 24th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 25th 4PM ET Pacific Rim
October 28th 5:00 AM ET Africa
October 28th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 29th 10:30 AM ET Europe
October 29th 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
October 30th 4:00PM ET Pacific Rim
October 31st 4:00 PM ET Pacific Rim
November 1st 4:00 PM ET United States
November 1st 4:00PM ET Pacific Rim
November 5th 4:00 PM ET Untied States
November 13th 4:00PM ET United States
November 21st 4:00PM ET United States

Saturday, September 15, 2018

When Do You Stop Needing Your Mother?

When a child is born a mother is born. Recently, I read a quote that suggested that the goal of motherhood is to raise your child to not need you anymore. As I pondered this thought, I began to think of Our Blessed Mother. She is the most perfect of Mothers. She is the model for us as mothers. I reflected on her son Jesus. Clearly the most perfect son. What was their relationship? As Jesus went through His Passion, his Mother was there. He did not choose to go through that painful experience without his Mother by His side. Jesus was completely obedient to the Father. If it did not please God the Father that Mary was there He could have asked Jesus to send her away. He did not. Therefore as we think of this scene of Mary at the foot of the Cross, we see that even the son of God was not expected to go through His Passion alone. It was good for Him to take consolation in the love of his Mother and have her by His side.
The road of a Mother is not easy. Today we honor Our Lady of Sorrows. Jesus was perfect and yet his Mother suffered a great deal in being His Mother. Yet who would ever want to imagine Jesus on the Cross without His Mother by His side.

The picture above was drawn by one of the members of the Children's Rosary when he was 9 years old.

Friday, September 14, 2018

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. One of my kids took this picture of the rosaries we were gathering to send to one of the Children's Rosary groups. In looking at all these crosses something occurred to me, albeit very obvious, the Rosary is anchored to the cross. The Rosary leads you straight to the cross. The Rosary is Christ centered. Although it is often associated with Mary there can be no doubt the goal: to bring you closer to Our Lord.
The Gospel today reminds us, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Add Your Light to Illuminate the Darkness

Many might not be aware but we have a special map on our www.childrensrosary.org site. This is called a View from Heaven. It is the view that we imagine Our Lord and Our Lady have when they look at the world. Instead of seeing the lights of homes and cars they see the lights of prayers. When a Children's Rosary group meets a blue twinkling light flashes on the View from Heaven map while they are praying. There is an invitation under the map to "join in prayer". By clicking the "join in prayer" button you can add a gold twinkling light for thirty minutes. We humbly ask each Children's Rosary group to pray for those unifying prayers so if a group is meeting the children are asked to pray for those joining in prayer.

Even when a group is not meeting we hope to have a gold light twinkling flashing. While people come and go on the site not everyone hits the join in prayer button. We have found that if a light is twinkling then people are more likely to begin praying and click join in prayer.

We have a hope that the light on the View from Heaven will never go out and Our Lord and Our Lady will always find someone in prayer. To this end we have begun asking people to become "Core Lights" these are people who have committed to adding their light each day. They click the button and for thirty minutes pray. They simply say at the beginning of their time that they wish to unify prayers with the members of the Children's Rosary praying and by clicking the button they join those also unifying in prayer on the map.

We try to have Masses said for the "Core Lights". Today on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross a Mass is being celebrated for the sanctification of those who are "Core Lights" on our Children's Rosary website. If you would like to become a "Core Light" please email Blythe at blythe@childrensrosary.org

Thank you.

We made a little video that helps show the concept of the View from Heaven. It is available to view HERE. It is only 2 minutes.

One can also watch it narrated in Spanish HERE.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Children's Rosary - Joyful Mysteries Available to Download

On the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary we are excited to share with you that the Children's Rosary - Joyful Mysteries is available to download.

Individuals and groups can now also download our theme song "Rosary Children" as well.

Click HERE to view download options. The Joyful Mysteries CD features the classical Marian Hymn: Basque Carol as well as a new song about St. Catherine of Siena.

The Children's Rosary physical CDs are still available to order through EWTN Religious Catalogue. These are available at a great savings. All three CDs are available for $15.00. To view our whole collection of materials available through EWTN Religious Catalogue click HERE.

EWTN Religious Catalogue Great Britain also carries our materials.
To view click HERE.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Today I saw something hopeful...something beautiful

Today I saw something hopeful...something beautiful. It was not this sunset. This is a picture from several months ago that one of my children took. What I saw today was during a Children's Rosary. We had a small group. Two of my children were there and another family. The other mother brought her new born baby and her 3 year old daughter. Her daughter who has been coming for a number of months has show so much growth at each passing meeting. At first she only would kneel for a short time with the other children and then she wanted to go back to her mom. Gradually over our meetings she stayed the whole time kneeling before Our Lady. She timidly would place a rose before Our Lady and now with great confidence she goes and places a rose very carefully at the foot of Our Blessed Mother at the end of the decades. Last meeting she stood up with the older children with the important role of holding the Children's Rosary book. This she held for the other children to look at as they were leading. Today she again took her place next to one of my sons at the podium to hold a Children's Rosary book. Although both my son's know the prayers they liked having her there to hold the book and also show them the pictures that go with each mystery. Toward the end of the Rosary, I asked her if she could say the words "Hail Mary" and then Kostin could continue leading. At first she was too shy to do this so Kostin in a very soft voice would say Hail Mary and then she with an even fainter voice said "full of grace". As the decade continued she continued to add her part: full of grace. There was something beautiful about a sweet innocent child participating in the angelic salutation to Our Lady. Indeed, Our Lady is full of grace.

Today this was all the little girl in our group felt comfortable saying but this was enough. The rest of the prayers were said by one of my sons as they led but for all of us her two words drew attention to a beautiful part of the prayer. During the last few Hail Mary's, her little voice could be heard adding a bit more to the prayer. Indeed today I saw something hopeful...something beautiful. The beauty came not only from the little one but also from the tenderness of the older children whose prayers seemed all the more heartfelt because they accompanied a littler soul just taking her first steps in prayer.

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Pilgrimage to the National Marian Shrine Mariamabad

We received some pictures today from the Children's Rosary in Pakistan. Some members of the Children's Rosary made a pilgrimage to the National Shrine Mariamabad in Pakistan.

In reading more about Mariamabad I found out that this is a site of annual pilgrimage for the September 8th Feast of the Birth of Mary. Mariamabad came into existence in 1892. The land of approximately 150 acres was purchased by a Capuchin Bishop for Christians to live and work. The name Mariamabad means City of Mary in the language of Urdu. The tradition of making this pilgrimage dates back to 1949. This is one of the oldest Catholic settlements in Pakistan.

Approximately 1 million pilgrims visit the site each year. There is a prominent Statue of Mary and a grotto. We are including some pictures that were sent to us today from the pilgrimage visit.

Wishing You All a Happy Feast of the Nativity of Mary

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 8th 2018

Today we will hold our Children's Rosary at St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford, Connecticut. My son Asher made something sweet to share with those who attend. He made cupcakes and put an M on each in honor of Mary. We have been trying to have a little treat at the end of each meeting. Over time we have seen that the children very much like having a little time to talk and also have a snack. Usually we try to make chocolate chip cookies but today being the Nativity of Mary we decided on cupcakes. The flowers in the picture are the ones we will bring to place before Our Lady at the end of each decade.

We will pray for all the members of the Children's Rosary at our meeting. Consider unifying in prayer with us at 3PM ET. Visit www.childrensrosary.org and click "join in prayer" to add your gold twinkling light to the View from Heaven.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Emptying Oneself

A few days before we left for Dublin for the World Meeting of Families a large portion of the tree in our backyard fell. There was no wind or rain when approximately a third of our Maple tree came crashing down. As we looked at where it fell we realized that it had done no damage. It had not hit our home, garage, fence...even our plantings seems spared. As we looked back at the remaining tree still standing we could see the trunk seemed hollow.
As one of our neighbors was having tree work done, we were able to have it looked at right away. The verdict was the whole thing needed to come down. We were very grateful of the providence of how it fell and the speed by which we had someone to help.

In prayer before we left for Dublin, I thought of this tree which had looked so tall and strong while all the while it was actually just a shell. Our Lord through His care and Providence had seen to bring some of it down with such care that nothing was harmed.
There were many thoughts coming in the days before we left. There was the portion of myself saying, maybe you should just stay home. Wouldn't it be nice to stay home and quietly pray. It had been 10 years since we had made a large trip across the Atlantic ocean. Ten years ago we had traveled to Kazakhstan to adopt two children from an orphanage. Due to a genetic disability, my health especially my joints had declined and more travel for many years was not possible. This summer with my joints still unstable the thought of traveling to Ireland and to a place with large crowds was daunting. Even a simple bump can sometimes cause a series injury with my joints and here I was considering going to events where hundreds of thousands of people would be present such as the Papal Mass.
In prayer as I was thinking about this tree in our backyard, a thought came...empty yourself....surrender. I would have to abandon "self" the part of me that was afraid and wanted to stay home. I would have to surrender and trust. God would take care of us just as the tree seemed hand placed into one of the only places in our yard where no damage would take place.

Indeed, as the trip began we had very little planned. We knew we had our Children's Rosary booth at the Meeting but much of the visit was left open to allow God and Our Blessed Mother to guide us. Through a recommendation of a friend we felt drawn to visit Silverstream Priory outside of Dublin. We spent a couple of days seeing the countryside but most of our trip we were in Dublin and attending the World Meeting of Families. We met so many lovely people and there was great joy in seeing many people interested in starting Children's Rosary groups. I was so grateful to God and the intercession of Our Lady for bringing us to Ireland. I was so thankful we came despite my trepidation before we left.
God it seems needs our surrender. He needs us to empty ourselves so that He can fill us. The phrase that kept coming to mind: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). I am broken and weak and need help with everything. On my own I could not make such a trip. God sustained me and allowed my husband and my children to help me. We were able to share many seeds of the Children's Rosary by giving away Children's Rosary books. But now as it said in the reading today at Mass the growth will be done by God. "Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth." (1 Cor 3:7) Our prayers are needed now and confidence. Please pray with me that all the little seeds that were sown will take root and grow. Let us ask Our Lord with the confidence and love of a child to help bring fruit from the seeds that were planted.

We hope to share in the coming weeks the fruits that come through this trip.

Thank you for your prayers and God bless you.

Happy Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta.