.jpeg)
.jpeg)
This was the first time we had a live stream available. Sixty members of the Children's Rosary from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Johannesburg, South Africa prayed with 19 children from St. Francis Xavier School in Birmingham, Alabama USA. The children absolutely loved the experience and they hope to pray again together.
"For where two or three are gather in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20). We celebrated the first Children's Rosary in Kendal on 6th September, a very beautiful time of prayer for the 2 families that joined Fr Hugh, our parish priest and myself. We followed the format that you have used over the years beginning with Consecrating our group to The Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Immaculate Heart of Mary. We prayed the Joyful Mysteries. One of the young people was happy to take the lead in opening the third decade of the Rosary. This was very powerful. This was not led by myself or Fr Hugh but inspired by the Holy Spirit. The 3rd Joyful Mystery, Our Lord's Nativity. The Children's Rosary was 'born' in Kendal. One of the children was initially unsettled and crying. Her mum was juggling 2 children both under 3. The Children's Rosary is a place of welcome. I didn't want mum to question if it was right she should be here. I then remembered the pack that Sinead had provided and the rosary balloons. Again I think inspired by the Holy Spirit. We can't see the Holy Spirit but we see the impact. I blew the balloon up but didn't 'tie' it off. I released the balloon, which like the Holy Spirit, it blew where it willed. This instantly detracted the young girl, she stopped crying and collected the balloon. She returned and sat on mum's lap. I could see mum also now relaxed and knew she along with her children was welcome. Within a few minutes the little girl was also placing flowers at the feet of Mary. Thank you to all who helped create the Children's Rosary, putting together the packs and especially the Children's Rosary balloons! The families who joined shared they enjoyed the prayer and will share with friends. We will continue to advertise via our parish newsletter and continue with personal invitation. The gospel from St Matthew on this Sunday was however perfect and confirmed that God's timing is always perfect, "For where two or three are gather in my name, there am I among them."
September 15 is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. We are excited to have this special event on this Feast.
Consider uniting in prayer. The event will be livestreamed on the Children's Rosary YouTube channel and on the Children's Rosary Facebook page.
The Catechism is clear that we should help them. "In full consciousness of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the memory of the dead; and 'because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins' she offers her suffrages for them." Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective". (CCC958)
St Carlo Acutis, who was recently canonized, was known for his strong devotion to the Holy Souls in purgatory. The Children's Rosary also has made it a priority for many years to help the Holy Souls and seek their intercession.
We received this lovely note from Children's Rosary group leader Sinead Peacock:
This year we were delighted to bring the Children’s Rosary to the CELEBRATE Festival at Worth School in Sussex. The five‑day gathering was full of joy, prayer, and fellowship, with the theme “Let There Be Light” inspiring everyone who attended.
My name is Brother Basil Sheplong Menyen; I am from Shendam Plateau State, Nigeria. I started the Children’s Rosary in 2016 when Fr. Paul Miapkwap was transferred to my Parish at St. John of the Cross Shimankar in Plateau State Nigeria. The daily prayer of the Children's Rosary formed my faith and kept me rooted in prayer even while I was away for my university studies. By God’s grace, I completed my university education and obtained a BSc. in Economics and also finished the One year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). During this period, the zeal to work for God continued to burn in my heart. I discerned my vocation, and I was admitted into the seminary. I have just completed my Spiritual year studies, and God willing, I will begin Philosophy I in October 2026. I believe the effectiveness of the Children Rosary prayer has sustained me a great deal in my formation. It taught me simplicity, devotion to Our Lady, and perseverance in prayer, and these are helping me now as I prepare for the next stage of my priestly formation. I was inspired by the recent journey of your son Asher to Africa and some European countries to spread the Children’s Rosary; Fr. Paul has shared the stories with us. I pray to spread it in my own little way too. Thanks
We humbly ask that you please keep Br. Basil Sheplong Menyen in
your prayers.
Interestingly, Asher received a parish assignment to help with Confirmation classes at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Providence, Rhode Island.
Two weeks later I saw both Liam, his mother, and younger brother at an event at the Domestic Monastery in Avon, Connecticut. She shared with me that since the Children's Rosary, Liam has not stopped carrying around his Rosary. She showed me some pictures to show how the Rosary was moving through his fingers as he rode in a train ride at a local fair.
Then at snack time he could not hold both his cookies and his Rosary, so the Rosary was placed on top of the container of cookies.
At the end of the Children's Rosary meeting, each child was invited to take a rose home that had been given to Our Blessed Mother. Liam placed his rose by a statue of Our Blessed Mother in the entry way of his home. This is where the Rosary is placed when not with Liam.
I marveled at this story, and his mother, Mary, also was thrilled to see this transformation and love of the Rosary at just 2 years old. As the Rosary beads are a sacramental, even the act of carrying a rosary brings blessings, so it is indeed a wonderful development. The formation of faith and devotion is something that is hard to predict, but early exposure to prayer indeed brings a harvest of blessings. When is too early to introduce the rosary? The answer is it is never too early. Thank you, Liam, for giving witness to this!
The picture included in this post was taken of the Children's Rosary at the Cathedral Parish in Shendam, Nigeria. Fr. Paul Miapkwap shared that the Children's Rosary at the Cathedral is growing.
|
|
|
Join us in prayer tomorrow on the Feast of St Dominic!
.jpeg)
