100th Birthday of St. John Paul II

May 18th 2020 is the 100th Birthday of St. John Paul II. Our Children's Rosary books, CDs and DVD are dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Our Blessed Mother and in gratitude for the intercession of St. John Paul II. We have always found St. John Paul II to be a great friend to the Children's Rosary. As today was approaching the Children's Rosary began to get many special favors. We found out that EWTN will be airing the Children's Rosary in the US today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Next we heard that EWTN Español will be re-airing the Nuestra Fe en Vivo interview about the Children's Rosary with Asher from 2017. This interview originally helped to spread the Children's Rosary (Rosario de Niños) through many Spanish speaking countries. There are also several projects we have been working on that seem to have taken a big step forward in the last day. 

Here is some information if you would like to learn more about starting a Children's Rosary prayer group in your parish, school or orphanage.
How to Start a Children's Rosary (English)
How to Start a Children's Rosary (Spanish)
How to Start a Children's Rosary  (French)

Happy Birthday St. John Paul II!

Celebrating Our Lady's Feast in Nigeria

The Children's Rosary in Lagos, Nigeria spent weeks in preparation for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  They practiced songs, dance and drama in addition to their daily meeting for the Children's Rosary which they do every day at 6PM their local time. 

Dance

Yesterday the group leader sent along pictures from their celebration.  The drama was about children and the Rosary.  One of scenarios was about a girl who was sick and when the children brought a priest and prayed she felt better.  Simple messages the children understand and live everyday in their lives.  Prayer is woven into their joys and sorrows and so such plays are very natural to them.  It is beautiful to see such excitement among the children to both gather to pray and then to express their love for their Heavenly Mother through song, dance and even a birthday cake at the end of the evening.

Children's Drama

Happy Birthday Mother Teresa!

Today we celebrate the birthday of Mother Teresa who was born August 26th 1910.  Recently while waiting to enter Confession I happened to see a biography of Mother Teresa in the Church's lending library.  The book looked old and well worn.  A friend was with me and helped in picking it up as it is hard cover and very heavy.  The book was written by Edward Le Joly S. J. the Spiritual Director of Mother Teresa for over twenty-five years.  It is truly a gem.  Of particular interest to me were her early years when she felt the call within a call to begin her order: The Missionaries of Charity.  Joely writes of the early years when it was just Mother working in the streets alone.  

"Meanwhile God was training her-she had to feel utterly useless, inadequate to the task.  She had to cling to Him, throw herself entirely on Him: 'You, Lord only you, all for you: make use of me.  You pulled me out of my convent where I was useful. Now guide me as you wish.'"

A Birthday Present for Your Soul

This year we began a new tradition in our home.  For each member of our family we requested one Mass be said as a birthday present.  Instead of having the Mass said on our birth date, the Mass was chosen on a special Saint's Feast day. This year I did the choosing of the Saints for each member of the Family but next year I hope the children will help choose their favorite saint.  My husband is Jewish, but I thought it was important to request one for him as well, regardless of religion a Mass has wonderful benefits for our Soul.  Pope Benedict XVI said, "The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death."

Today the 8AM Mass at our Church was offered for my daughter Alina who is 12 years old.  She was so excited to see her name in the bulletin on Sunday as all the Mass intentions are listed each week.  Today is the Feast of Bl. Mother Theresa of Calcutta.  Alina has watched programs on Mother Theresa and I knew this would be a wonderful saint to intercede for her.

During the summer when our son, Asher, had a Mass said for him I noticed a wonderful thing that night.  He went and found his Bible which he received for Christmas and asked that his father read it to him before bed.  We always read the Bible as a family each night but usually Asher has different books he likes read before he falls asleep.  On the day the Mass was said he sought out his Bible and wanted it read to him as he fell asleep.  He continued this for several days after the Mass was said.  In a small child, like my son who is only 5 years old, the effects of grace seem more transparent. The Mass was truely a gift for his soul.

Here are the Feast days we chose this year:
Asher age 5- Feast of John Mary Vianney
Kostin age 8-  Feast of St. Joseph
Alina age 12 -Feast of Bl Mother Teresa
Grandma- Feast of St. Faustina
Seth- Feast of Padre Pio
Blythe (me)- Feast of Bl. Pope John Paul II

For those of you not farmiliar with requesting a Mass, contact your Parish or speak to a priest.  Usually there is a customary donation which is made when requesting the Mass.