Christmas Greetings from Nigeria

 

The message reads: Happy Christmas from the 

Children's Rosary Shendam Diocese, Nigeria.

Christmas Children's Rosary at Knock Shrine held on December 23, 2024

We received this lovely report from the Children's Rosary at Knock Shrine in Ireland.

We gathered for our special December Children’s Rosary in the Apparition Chapel in Knock on December 23rd.

We were so blessed to be able to honour Baby Jesus, our Blessed Mother, and St Joseph right where the Holy Family appeared in 1879 to a group of 15 people, both young and old. Jesus appeared in the form of the Sacrificial Lamb on the Altar in front of the Cross, surrounded by angels. St. John the Evangelist was also present.

Our children came dressed as angels and shepherds to offer the Rosary and to prayerfully welcome and give glory to Baby Jesus, reenacting the joyous Nativity scene on Christmas night in Bethlehem.

A Journey from Kenya to Tanzania to Retrieve Rosaries for the Children

 

Today we received this beautiful picture of the Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Simba, Kenya (see above). Br. Cleophus traveled 6 hours to Moshi, Tanzania to retrieve 2,000 handmade rosaries we had sent. These rosaries were part of a shipping barrel we had sent to Fr. Ruwaichi in Tanzania. 

Br. Cleophus' trip was one that began yesterday (December 27) leaving on the journey at 3AM. Br. Cleophus returned safely to Kenya today (December 28) with the rosaries. The children were very excited to each receive one. Fr. Wachira held a Mass today at St. Mary's Church in honor of the Holy Innocents. Fr. Wachira offered the Mass for all the Children's Rosary group members all over the world. 

May everyone have a blessed fourth day of Christmas!

Christmas with members of the Children's Rosary at St. Stephen School, Kenya

Br. Cleophus sent pictures from his visit to members of the Children's Rosary at St. Stephen School. 

The school was named after St. Stephen whose feast was December 26th.

We had an opportunity to visit this school while in Kenya in the summer of 2019. St. Stephen school is in very rural region of Kenya bordered by a large wild life preserve with no fences. There are no formal roads leading to this school. When we visited we shared rosaries with them and they shared their beautiful handmade necklaces with us. They are members of the Maasai tribe and live primarily by herding small animals. 

A Christmas Gift from the Children's Rosary 2021

 

Merry Christmas from the Children's Rosary. Here in West Hartford, Connecticut, USA, the home of the Children's Rosary, we had a white Christmas. Snow began falling just after midnight on December 24 and continued through the morning allowing everything to have a beautiful coating of white snow.

We thank all those who participated in the Children's Rosary "Patiently Waiting" Campaign. People sent us pictures with Patiently Waiting signs in their windows from Scotland, Ireland, England, Kenya and the USA. These signs can now be taken down and replaced with ones that read "Christ is Born." These can stay up for the whole Christmas Season.

We have a special gift from the Children's Rosary. A Christmas Mass was celebrated for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary at 8:00 p.m. on December 24.

Christmas Peace 1914

A few members of my family love history. Recently our youngest son, age 13, shared a story with us. It is the story of Christmas 1914. World War I was raging and on the Western Front something beautiful happened. Beginning on Christmas eve, soldiers on both sides began singing Christmas Carols. The following day two-thirds of the front observed a truce. Fighting stopped. Some soldiers even ventured into no-man's-land to share gifts with their enemies. It is reported a games of soccer was played between members of the German Royal Saxon Regiment and the Scottish Seaford Highlanders. The Germans won the game three to two. 

It is reported that in some places the truce lasted a week. 

Peace is a great gift and it is one that our Prince of Peace is most eager to give us but we need to ask for this gift. Even in the midst of World War I Christmas Peace was felt.

Source for artwork: A.C. Michael - Guardian. Originally published in The Illustrated London News 1915.

A Gift for all the Members of the Children's Rosary this Christmas

 

A Mass was celebrated on December 25th for all the members of the Children's Rosary. This is a little gift to all of you! 

The picture above was sent to us leading up to Christmas. This is Fr. Julius Luswata of St. Jude Parish in Masaka Diocese of Uganda. Fr. Julius Luswata helps coordinate the Children's Rosary groups in his parish. The children behind him are members of the Children's Rosary from Vision Park Primary School.

All Nature Glorifies God: Christmas 2020

 This is a picture we took at sunset on the first day of Christmas.

The First Day of Christmas 2020

The Children's Rosary began an effort 6 years ago. We invited people to put a sign in their window through Advent that read: Patiently Waiting. It was a gentle way of witnessing where our hearts were during the journey toward Christmas. On Christmas eve, we replaced the Patiently Waiting sign with one that read simply: Christ is Born. 

We live in a place where people spend a good deal of time walking into town and pass this sign. Through Advent there are always people who do not understand the Patiently Waiting sign. But now we hope that all those questions are answered. For those who hear and see so many signs of the commercial side of Christmas this is a little sign that puts the focus on the true meaning of this season. 

We also replaced the purple bow on our wreath with a red one on Christmas eve. So often it seems Christmas appears to be the signal to take down the decorations. Frequently we see on December 26th Christmas trees start appearing by the curb of the street for pick up. It is sad to see the decorations thrown out so early in the true Christmas season.

These little things we do through the Christ is Born sign and the change to a red bow are our gentle witness to help others realize that Christmas is not a one day celebration. The 12 days of Christmas start on December 25th instead of end on this date.

We wish you all a very blessed Christmas from the Children's Rosary!

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.

Little Acts of Kindness: Remembering the Sick at Christmas

Members of the Children's Rosary in Vietnam shared how they helped to bring some Christmas joy to those in a hospital leading us to Christmas. We received this note:

"Our team packed the candies and brought them to the patients at T. T. Hospital. All patients are happy to receive this gift, which is the joy that Jesus wants to give them. We show them that God does not abandon them. We sacrificed to save money to buy candy for them. All laughed a lot. I want to share with you as a sweet fruit in this Christmas."

In the coming days, we would like to share some of the stories that have been coming in from different Children's Rosary groups. Providing glimpses into the ways that they are sharing little acts of kindness toward others.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Doing Less So You Can do More

Have You Ever Seen a Nativity in Pakistan?
A Countryside Transformed through Prayer

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.

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

Capturing the Beauty of a Moment

Some of the young people in Vietnam who are part of the Children's Rosary created a little space to honor Our Lord and Our Lady. Within this space they created a manger seen. Much effort was taken to make sure everything was special. In taking pictures of the scene, a picture was taken from above where a statue of Our Lady was carefully placed. The twinkling lights can be seen as a glow beneath Her. There is something very beautiful about the image. We thank Tran for sending it to us. Indeed, we celebrate the beauty of this season and also the beauty that those who are part of the Children's Rosary witness as they capture special moments. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Doing Less So You Can do More

Children's Rosary: View from Heaven Video
A Journey to Bring the Baby Jesus to the Children

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.

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

Join Us for the Christmas/Infant of Prague Novena (December 16-December 24)

Christmas Novena
Prayer to the Miraculous Infant of Prague

In anticipation of Christmas December 25th consider saying this 9 day Novena from December 16th-December 24th.  

O Divine Infant Jesus, Who said: "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you." Through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request.)

O Divine Infant Jesus, Who said: "Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Grant me the simplicity and wonder, the tenderness and gentleness of a child. Fill me with innocence, hope and love. Grant me the grace that I need.

(Make your request.)

O Divine Infant Jesus, help me know how close You are to me and how powerful is Your embrace. Help me to trust that You hold the whole world in Your hand. I place my every need and care in Your hands. I ask that you fulfill my request according to Your holy will.

(Make your request.)

Miraculous Infant of Prague, have mercy on us.

We humbly ask that you join us in praying this novena and include as one of your intentions: May Our Lady's plans for each of us, our families, and the Children's Rosary be realized. In a special way we also ask that Jesus be born in our hearts this Christmas. May Our Lord grant Christmas joy and peace for all the families of the Children's Rosary and all those who have been so generous to the Children's Rosary this year. 

A special gift to all the members of the Children's Rosary: a Mass will be celebrated for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary on December 25th through the Capuchin Missions.

12th Day of Christmas!

May I share a little Christmas story.  Several of the Children's Rosary groups in West Hartford, Connecticut USA heard that there was a Children's Rosary group meeting in a Church in Pakistan without walls or ceiling. The children were very cold during their meetings and most did not even have socks or shoes.  
They hoped to receive something to keep them warm.  Their little Christmas wish was heard.  Two Children's Rosary groups came together to help them.  Hats, socks and gloves were sent along with a few sweaters.  Two of the three boxes arrived in time for Christmas.(Another one is still on its way...please say a prayer it gets there soon). 

On Christmas eve pictures came of the children receiving the warm clothes. A few are included here.

The top picture is of one of the boys in the Children's Rosary group receiving socks.  The second picture is of a mother with her baby receiving a warm hat for her baby.  

The story does not end there.  A few days after receiving these pictures more came.  Babu Chand shared that after receiving the gifts from the children in Connecticut he was impressed and felt moved to do what he could to help even more of those in need within the Children's Rosary in his area.  

He was able to purchase shawls for a number of the mothers in the Children's Rosary groups that have been widowed. He went door to door to give the gifts. Some of the pictures below show them receiving the beautiful shawls. 

 

A special thank you to all the children and members of the Children's Rosary who have been so generous.  These acts of love send a ripple into the world.  It is a ripple of kindness that once started is hard to stop as is seen here. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Come on a Journey with us
Hear from the Children

Spiritual Bouquet

Dear Friends, 

I am happy to share a very beautiful gift that was given to the Children's Rosary for Christmas. One of the members of the Children's Rosary enrolled the Children's Rosary to receive a Spiritual Bouquet. The message in the card reads:

As my very special and spiritual gift to you this Christmas you will share in the blessings and graces of 900 Masses offered by missionary priests throughout the world beginning on Christmas Even and continuing throughout this Holy Season.

This enrollment was made through the Capuchin Missions.  It is also very special that the gift of this Spiritual Bouquet also is able to assist in the support of missionary priests bringing the Good News to different corners of the globe.

Many thanks for this most precious gift.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Feast of St. Thomas Becket

Come on a Journey with Us

Looking at this ally way in Pakistan one can image the Holy Family walking with their donkey...knocking on doors. This is the scene tonight on Christmas eve in Pakistan.  Let us go village to village and see the little towns. Where are the children?  You will see....

They are kneeling at cribs celebrating the birth of Our Lord. They have been waiting patiently in prayer for weeks and now they can meet Our Lord. 

They can celebrate Christmas! Different Children's Rosary groups each make it special in their own way.  

There is dancing and many from the town gathering to celebrate with the children. They place large pieces of ornate fabric to create a roof in their Church that does not have one. The people here understand the desire to have a roof over ones head just as the Holy Family was trying to find a place to rest on Christmas eve.

The journey continues into the late night.  More roads to cover to see more children. Our last stop tonight is Ashraf town. It seems the little angels are gathering together. See the little girl on the right with her angel wings.   

We will be sharing more pictures in the coming days.

Thank you all!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
May We Be a Joy for God?
What Does the Nativity Mean to You?

Lion and the Lamb

Today the Christmas decorations came down, this being the last day of Christmas.  Our youngest son took the ornaments off the tree and laid them out for his older sister to carefully pack away.  It was at this time that, Baby, our cat decided to lay down on the ornaments.  Looking over at Baby snuggled up with the dove it seemed an unlikely scene.  For Baby is a master hunter.  His mother's name was actually Hunter, and Baby has continued in this tradition.  The first thought that came to mind seeing Baby and the dove was the beautiful Christmas image of the lion and the lamb.  As it would turn out the ornament tossed next to Baby was a glass version of the lion and the lamb with the tag still hanging from the lion with the phrase" lion and the lamb".  So it seemed indeed that this connection was divinely ordained.  The kids took great pleasure at watching Baby resting with his unlikely friend.  All the pictures shown here were taken by a child (and member of the Children's Rosary!)

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Will of God
May We Be a Joy For God

There is Still Time to Find Just the Right Christmas Gift

This time of year can get pretty hectic.  At Mass on Monday the priest emphasized this point by mentioning that with hospital calls and so much happening with Christmas fast approaching he didn't even have time to take a shower or put on socks.  He held out his foot to show his bare ankles.  He further said he was so busy he couldn't even find his comb so he had resorted to using his dog's comb.  We were all laughing but indeed things can become busy as one wants to make sure no one has been forgotten and everyone is remembered with something special.  The problem is finding that something special that will mean something to the person receiving it.  A few years ago, we began a little family tradition of saying Rosaries for family and friends.  This has continued to grow so that our time approaching Christmas and the 12 days of Christmas is consumed with prayer.  The added benefit to giving spiritual presents to loved ones is that as one spends this intense time of prayer we are all receiving grace, too.    

Last week we had two friends over for dinner.  The kids wrapped up the presents we had for them.  As our friends gathered in the living room the kids began to giggle.  They thought it was so exciting to share the gifts they had helped to present.  The gifts included the prayers we had said for our friends.  Each prayer was written on a colored paper shape.  Some of the shapes were stars, the moon and a manger.  The name of the person who had said the prayer was written on the back of the shape.  

The laughter seemed contagious and even I was laughing, too.  There was a feeling that maybe some of the laughter was nervousness.  As we all wondered what our friends would think when they opened the boxes.  I was surprised that little thoughts entered my mind.  Questions came wondering if they might be disappointed or wonder if we didn't care enough to buy them something.  I was actually very surprised these thoughts came as we waited for the boxes to be opened.  

Then as the boxes came open and each person saw what was inside, there was excitement.  It was just as the children had hoped, our friends loved their presents.  They were so touched that so much time had been spent praying for each of them and their families.  For each of us were re-learning about Christmas.  The kids were watching and learning.  I was learning.  Each time I take a chance and move in the direction of gathering treasures for friends from Our Lord I am never disappointed.  Another area we are re-learning is the fact that Christmas in not just one day.  It is 12 days and it ends on Epiphany.  That means all the Christmas gifts and cards do not need to be in each persons hands on December 25th.  Rather it is just the beginning of the celebrating.  In this way, the pressure of a December 25th deadline to remember each person is alleviated.  If you are reading this and feel stressed that so much is left undone or you wished you had done things differently this Christmas.  Don't worry there is still time.  The shelves are not empty in Heaven.  Take as much as you want for your loved ones.  One last thought, if you ever feel paralyzed that there are too many people in your life that you would want to pray for so hence it might be better not to start.  Let me share, I had that thought several weeks ago but in prayer I could feel Our Lady saying, begin start with one person.  Our Lord does not work at 10,000 feet he works person to person.  And so let us work in the same way.  Do not worry that you may not have time to pray for everyone...just rejoice with each soul you can pray for.  You may be surprised by how many souls you can cover in prayer.

Thank you all dear friends.  All the members of the Children's Rosary are being remembered in our Christmas Novena and on December 25th a Mass has been requested for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary.  God Bless you all.

Other posts you may enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
We Took You All With Us to the Papal Mass
Avenue of Grace

Christmas Blessings!!

Dear Friends,
Christmas Blessings to you and your family!! 
As we prepare for Our Lord's coming there is an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that comes.  A desire to thank Our Lord for his kindness comes from the many gifts he has poured into the Children's Rosary this year.  As the Children's Rosary is composed of many souls, it is you that are the treasures.  You are the gifts that have been given. Each soul brought to the Children's Rosary for a reason.  For you all we kneel before the manger and thank Our Lord with all our hearts.  How could it be that so many individuals from around the world could be found and brought together with a mission of bringing children together in regular prayer of the Rosary.  Some nights I marvel at how a soul with just the right talent is brought to the Children's Rosary.  This individual may be deaf or blind or have some disability but the Lord shows how they are most perfectly suited to meet the need.  They may be suffering a great deal but they come with a heart full of love and a closeness to Our Blessed Mother.  Our Lord continues to show us what we can do, not what we cannot.  There is a hope that wells up from the Children's Rosary.  "In the desert people of faith are needed who, with their own lives point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive. Living faith opens the heart to the grace of God which frees us from pessimism"(Pope Benedict XVI October 11, 2012).  Children have a wonderful way of doing this through prayer. 
May I humbly thank all of you who have helped the Children's Rosary.  Thank you to each family that has brought their children to the Children's Rosary.  In a special way may I thank parents and grandparents for their role in helping to pass on the faith by bringing these little ones together in prayer.  Thank you to those who run Children's Rosary groups and faithfully hold meetings month after month.  Thank you to those who have taken a chance and are trying to start new groups.  Thank you for all those from as far as Russian, Australia, Germany, India and the United Kingdom who have visited our website and united themselves to the children's prayers.  You are all a wonderful witness to me of the fellowship and love we all share together with Our Blessed Mother and Jesus.
As a small thank you to all our members and those that have given both of time, talent and treasure, a Mass has been offered for you all on December 25th 2015 through the Capuchin Missions.  All the members of the Children's Rosary and all who have been so generous to the Children's Rosary this year are also being remembered in our Christmas Novena. May Our Lord Bless You all Abundantly!!
Your Friend in Christ,
Blythe

Christmas Mass Offered For Members of the Children's Rosary

Today a Christmas Mass was offered through the Capuchin Missions for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary.  Every month a Mass is said on the 25th of the month for members.  In December it is particularly special that our monthly Mass falls on Christmas.  A special gift helping all of us to experience Christ being born in our hearts.

Thank you all and God Bless.