Preparing a Soul to Receive Jesus for the First Time

It is an awesome task to prepare a soul to receive Jesus for the first time. The word awesome is being used in its original meaning not the slang meaning it has come to be associated. How does one adequately convey the grandeur of such a moment to a soul who may be as young as 7?

This month a photo was sent of two children who have been a part of the Children's Rosary for many years. They received First Holy Communion together but their mothers each lead Children's Rosary prayer groups at a different parishes. John's mom, Valerie, started one of our first Children's Rosary groups. It is located at St. Agnes Parish in Naples, Florida USA. Even though the family has moved to Ave Maria, Florida they have kept up their monthly Children's Rosary in Naples. When I asked Valerie how long John had participated in the Children's Rosary she said, "John's whole life!" 

Sara's mother, Veronica, is the group leader at Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria, Florida. Sara has been participating in the Children's Rosary over the past 4 years. As I looked at the picture they sent, it harkened to images we have seen of Jacinta and Francisco of Fatima. Little Sara has a scapular around her neck. The two children hold a picture of the Body and Blood of Christ surrounded by a Rosary. It is interesting that the Rosary is drawing all the attention to the Eucharist. A second picture was sent. It provided the wide shot of the children. They were not simply standing by a wall they were beneath Our Blessed Mother. I am reminded of my own son, a member of the Children's Rosary.  At his First Holy Communion when we were walking to the car to leave he asked us to wait and he ran around the outside of the Church to a statue of Our Lady to see her.

It is remarkable that the children who are part of the Children's Rosary seem to be drawn to be close to their Heavenly Mother on such a day as their First Holy Communion. They have spent time in prayer of the Rosary. Fifty three Hail Mary's are said in each Rosary. Each Hail Mary asks for the prayers and intercession of Mary. In faith we know Our Lady hears those prayers. Surely when these sweet children ask for Her prayers She does pray for them. For Sara and John, the majority of their life they have prayed the Rosary regularly in their Children's Rosary prayer group. Surely this time helps in the preparation for a soul to receive Our Lord.  It is a great comfort, as a parent, to see Our Lady watching over the preparation of our children to receive Our Lord for the first time. Our Lady, known also by the title Seat Of Wisdom, knows the best way to prepare a tender soul. We are so grateful Blessed Mother for your assistance for such an important task as preparing a young soul to receive Jesus for the first time. Thank you.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

How to Plan a May Crowning

How to Start a Children's Rosary

The Month of May is Dedicated to Mary

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

Setting Down Deep Roots

We received this picture yesterday from the Children's Rosary at Holy Cross Church in Mesa, Arizona USA. This group has been meeting for 2 years. Their group met for the first time on May 1st 2016. They meet on the first Sunday of each month.

It is beautiful to see some of the children dressed for their First Communion. Praying the Rosary as a prayer group is a wonderful way to prepare souls to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist. Catechesis is essential in raising children in the faith such as one gets from parents and formal classes. This coupled to prayer such as the Rosary sends down deep roots into a young soul...roots that will weather trial, temptation and the many challenges that come as they grow and fully enter the world.

If you do not have a Children's Rosary at your parish or school learn more about it and consider giving the children of your parish the opportunity to pray together as a prayer group. There are many blessing that come for all involved.

Here are some resources to help:

How to Start a Children's Rosary (also provided in Spanish and French)
Steps to Run your First Children's Rosary (video) in English or Spanish
Additional resources to start a group including links to music and prayers (also available in Spanish or French)
Collection of Children's Rosary materials. (Also available to order in Europe)

Note we also have resources in Spanish and French.

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 

Congratulations to All the Members of the Children's Rosary Who Received Their First Communion this Month

This month many members of the Children's Rosary received their First Holy Communion.  In a special way today, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we thank Our Lord for such a gift.  It is our hope that through the children's prayer of the Rosary their love of the Eucharist will only intensify.

St. Jean Marie Vianney, patron of priests and orphans, urged souls to a frequent reception of the Sacraments.  He was known to say, “All those who receive them are not saints, but the saints are always taken from the ranks of those who receive them frequently.”  St. Jean Marie Vianney strongly encouraged the frequent reception of the Eucharist and likewise stressed the importance of an earnest preparation. 

In one of St. Jean Vianney’s catechisms on the Eucharist he shared, “My children, every creature in the universe requires food that it may live; for this purpose God has caused the trees and plants to grow.  It is a well-appointed table to which all the animals come for the food that suits them. But the soul must also be fed.  Where, then, is its food? ... My children, when God resolved to provide food for our soul so as to sustain her on the pilgrimage of life, He examined the whole of creation, but found nothing that was worthy of her.  So He looked at Himself and resolved to give Himself.”

A special thank you to Matthew pictured above for sharing his picture with us. Matthew is a member of the Children’s Rosary from St. Mary’s Church in Corvallis, Oregon USA.  He received his first Communion on May 4th 2016. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

How to Start a Children's Rosary

Theme song for the Children's Rosary

Did You Receive a Rosary on Your First Holy Communion?

Did You Receive a Rosary on Your First Holy Communion?

Thinking back to my own First Communion I remember vividly getting a beautiful crystal Rosary in a fancy box.  I looked at it many times and admired it..rolling the beads through my hands.  After looking at it with fondness I closed the box and put it safely in my drawer...where it stayed for many years.  It might truly still be in that drawer as my mother moved several times and I think the dresser may be in her barn in permanent storage.  It would be several years later when I was on a religious pilgrimage where we prayed the Rosary daily that I was given another wooden Rosary and began to use it in prayer.  My experience of receiving a Rosary for First Communion and placing it in a drawer for "safe keeping" I fear is not unique.  Rather I think most of us with young children might share a similar story from our childhoods.  What is sad is that few think to give a child something that explains what to do with this beautiful Rosary.  To take it a step further wouldn't it also be wonderful to give these beautiful little ones a place to use their rosaries with friends such as in a Children's Rosary.  Yes, this is my hope that more children will learn how to use their Rosaries and have a Children's Rosary group at their parish where they might go and pray.

As First Communions approach, may I humbly ask those picking out their gifts to consider including a Children's Rosary book.  Children ages 7 and 8 are truly the ideal age to  join or form a little Children's Rosary.  The book explains step by step how to begin a Children's Rosary prayer group. It also contains all the prayers of the Rosary and a diagram of how to pray the Rosary.  There are illustrations for each mystery also included. The Children's Rosary book is pocket size and perfect for these little hands. For information on how to purchase the book in Spanish or English from EWTN click HERE.

A Special Moment with Our Lady

Yesterday was my son's First Communion.  After the Mass my husband suggested that Kostin take a picture with his mom.  So Kostin and I posed together followed by a family picture.  On the way back to the car Kostin stopped and asked if he could be in a picture with Mary.  As we were just getting to our car the first reaction was to tell him it was too late and it was time to go home.  However, there was something that made me pause and say, yes lets just wait a minute so Kostin can visit Mary.  Kostin then ran off to the outside garden planted by children of the parish for Our Blessed Mother.  When my husband and I turned the corner Kostin was kneeling in prayer.  He then stood up and gave Mary the the rose that had been given to him during his First Communion and then kissed her head.

It was such a beautiful moment to see that Kostin didn't forget his dear Mother Mary.  Daily he prays with her in his rosaries.  Over years she, as the most perfect of mothers, has been preparing him for the day when he would meet her Son present in the Holy Eucharist.  To see Kostin kissing Our Blessed Mother's head in such a tender way was such a beautiful reminder of how much our children need their heavenly Mother and how much they love her when they spend time with her in prayer. 

Other posts you may like:
Preparing for Your First Communion
How to Pray the Rosary
How to Start a Children's Rosary

Preparing for Your First Holy Communion?

A MUST SEE!

A WONDERFULLY MOVING INTERVIEW WITH GARVIN BYRNE AND HIS EXPERIENCE RECEIVING THE HOLY EUCHARIST FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Several years ago a friend sent me a link to a short video.  Out of curiosity I clicked on it.  The interview with little Garvin was so moving that I showed it to two of my children then 6 and 10.  They were quiet while they watched Garvin speak about his illness and about his friendship with Jesus.  Garvin goes on to describe his First Holy Communion as the happiest day of his life.  Both my children have asked to watch this short video over and over again.  It has also shaped in a beautiful way how my son is anticipating his first meeting of Jesus in his First Holy Eucharist which will occur this May.

I would strongly recommend watching this and sharing it with your children.  You won't regret the few minutes you spend here...I promise.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO