Missionary Preparation

Asher Kaufman, age 18, set out on June 28 for a yearlong trip to help spread the Children's Rosary in Europe and Africa. He has been spending the month of July at La Salette Shrine in the Alps. He grew up helping the Children's Rosary and participating in it. He now is helping to spread the Children's Rosary to more parishes and schools. He is also discerning a vocation to the priesthood. He has been sharing dispatches from the trip. The picture above is of Asher at the information booth at the Shrine where he was assigned as a volunteer. The Rector kindly gave him permission to put out Children's Rosary books and Children's Rosary flyers at the informational booth. 

Walking the halls of the Shrine in my Children’s Rosary T-shirt and hiking backpack between shifts of work and in going to Mass or Adoration, I know I’m not the typical volunteer. 

"Why are you always carrying that backpack?" asked one volunteer.

"Didn't you get here awhile ago?" asked another.

"Yes," I replied.

"Then can't you leave your bag in your room?"

"I have to always be prepared," I answered.

Still casting a doubtful glance at the ponderous load, most accept that answer, though I doubt it does much to clear the confusion.

"Prepared for what?" is the inevitable follow-up. 

It's a bit hard to explain, but when one is on a mission to spread a movement like the Children's Rosary, providential meetings can happen at any time of day, and a box of books and fliers up in my room does about as much good as any materials back home in the United States. 

The Lord creates meetings in mysterious ways, and it has come through years of hard experience that I have learned not to leave the backpack behind when traveling for the Children's Rosary. 

So it is good to be prepared, even if few understand for what. I still get some puzzles looks here and there, but I think most accept my peculiar habit by now. I cannot control how missionary work will happen, but I can control my response.

The picture above is Asher meeting with a French family visiting La Salette Shrine. They were interested in learning more about the Children's Rosary. The ever present backpack is seen filling a seat at the table.