A Grandfather's Experience with the Children’s Rosary, Ireland

Recently, Ciarán O Riordan attended the Children’s Rosary with his grandchildren at the Church of the Ascension in Cork, Ireland. He shared his experiences during a virtual informational meeting about the Children’s Rosary.

It is absolutely beautiful what you are doing. Thank you so much for the grace you have sent us because it is needed so, so, so much. Without family prayer the church can do nothing really. There is nothing the priest can do or the bishops can do if the families aren’t praying.  Vatican II has taught us so much about the place of the lay person in the Church. I’m a married widower, but I have grandchildren, and my place is handing on the faith to those children and strengthening them. What a joy to see little children kneeling before our Blessed Lord praying our Blessed Mother’s Rosary. It’s such a beautiful thing, and children take to the Rosary like “ducks to water.” I have a grandson, and he’s like any other eight-year-old. He’s a little rough... you know what I mean. He was there, and the lady running the Rosary was anxious about whether they would be able to manage all the decades . . . they were delighted. They were able to manage all the decades and he wanted to do the readings as well and the meditations as well. It really encouraged him. They talk about “by their fruits you shall know them”. When he and his sister came home, the first thing they ran upstairs, and they started looking for their miraculous medals to put them back on - they had lost them as usual. Since that night, they’ve come to my house every night to pray the Rosary, and one of their uncles actually joined in with them to say a decade, and that is an absolute miracle. He joined in with the children to say the Rosary. That’s what you’ve done and that’s what you’re doing worldwide, and there is nothing, nothing as warm-hearted as that because the families are devastated, society is devastated, the schools are devastated, and the country is devastated. We must bring back the family Rosary and that’s what you’re doing, and thank you so much for what you’ve done.

To listen to Ciarán O Riordan share his experiences click HERE or watch above.

Children's Rosary materials are now available to order in Ireland. To view entire collection carried through Silverstream Priory click HERE.

To learn more about starting a Children's Rosary click HERE.

St. Anne and St. Joachim Pray For Us!

Today is the Memorial of St. Anne and St. Joachim, parents of Our Blessed Mother and grandparents to Jesus.

Recently on our drive back from Chicago we stopped at a parish in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Church is named after St. Stanislaus. This statue of St. Anne and Mary stood near the front of the Church. There was something so dear about how St. Anne was looking over the shoulder of Mary. She was tenderly holding her yet also pointing something out in her book. 

As St. Anne and Joachim are the Patron Saints of Grandparents I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the many grandparents who have  helped guide their children and now grandchildren in faith. Their role is a great one. We have seen this so clearly in the Children's Rosary. Many grandparents have begun groups or helped to bring their grandchildren to meetings. May I humbly say, thank you. The fruits of your prayers and efforts will have lasting effects.  

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
A Grandmother's Experience with the Children's Rosary
The Power of the Prayers of Grandparents
How to Start a Children's Rosary

Thank You Grandparents

Children's Rosary at St. Thomas the Apostle Church
West Hartford, CT USA 1/10/2016

This weekend brought a close to the Christmas season but it was not without some final gifts from Our Lord.  These gifts were unexpected and brought with them great joy and consolation.  The gifts began on Saturday when we met a lovely mother and her two children after daily Mass.  Her little ones were gathered around the manger looking at Jesus.  At first I thought they were children who had come to our Children's Rosary but upon getting closer I found they were a new family to me.  Quickly I introduced myself and humbly invited her two little ones to our Children's Rosary.  Initially I was thinking about our meeting for the following day at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish but I also mentioned the meeting we would be having later that day at St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford.  To my happy surprise they were free and wanted to join us later that day for the Children's Rosary. 

At 3PM my three children and I were at St. Peter Claver Church, it seemed that settling the kids down to quiet prayer was almost mission impossible.  As we gathered in this wonderful space the Church has for praying before the tabernacle, still there seemed some rough housing amongst my kids.  Trying to regain some semblance of order we began the Rosary.  A few minutes later our new friends arrived whom we had met that morning.  The children quickly took their places kneeling with my children.  Nathan was just 6 years old and his sister was around 3 years old. Their mother also knelt on the ground.  With the new children present we started the Rosary over again.  At first little Nathan seemed shy to lead but when he was invited to lead with my daughter who was older he seemed to find the courage and took his place with Alina in front of us to lead the decade.  We quickly could see that Nathan knew his prayers very well.  Next it would be his sister's turn and we suggested they lead together.  The two were so precious together.  Their soft voices encircling our hearts and bringing smiles to our faces.  I looked over at my daughter who had been in the middle of the disruption earlier now had a big smile on her face.  Her own voice became more tender as well in the responses.  Everyone it seemed was smiling.  Something interesting also happened, little Nathan was so much enjoying leading that with each decade he asked if he could help lead.  To see this little soul so excited to lift his prayers up to God was so beautiful I am still relishing it.  As we left, I asked the mom if the children pray the Rosary each day.  She said yes!  Her parents pray the Rosary with them each night as she works evenings.  They were not there to see the children leading us in prayer so beautifully but their efforts had yielded beautiful fruits.


Our next gift was that this little family who brought such joy to our Children's Rosary Saturday was able to join us on Sunday, too.  They were joined by 8 other children.  Three of the children spoke Polish as a second language.  One of the little girls was new to the group and had wooden rosaries in her hands. I told her I liked them very much and she said her grandmother had lent them to her as she lost hers.  One of the little girls also shared with the group that her mother was expecting a baby.  We all marveled to think of this little baby at his or her first Children's Rosary.  We loved to imagine this little one being covered in the prayers of the other children.  Never too early to start attending 8-)

Sometimes it is hard to see the fruits of our efforts to bring children to prayer but this weekend Our Lord was opening a window so we could see the many graces flowing. 

Please know the children prayed for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who were unifying prayers with us.  

In a special way may I thank Our Lord for His generosity of grace and gifts.  In addition I would like to thank grandparents for their help.  They hold an important role to help pass on the faith.  We have seen this in our own family and it was very clear this weekend as well.

Thank you to all the grandparents who run Children's Rosary prayer groups and also those that bring their children to meetings.   

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
A Grandmother's Experience with the Children's Rosary
The Power of the Prayers of Grandparents

Grandparents Day at the Shrine of Divine Mercy

National Shrine of Divine Mercy
photo credit: John Phelan

We are excited to share that the Children's Rosary has been invited to hold a Children's Rosary at the Shrine of Divine Mercy as part of their Grandparents Day celebration this Sunday September 13th.  The Catholic Grandparents Association which is helping to organize this all day celebration reached out to the Children's Rosary in hopes that we could attend and hold a Children's Rosary.   As we were only able to connect this week it seemed maybe that there would not be enough time to put things together.  Yet many things began to fall into place and we felt that indeed we could attend and have the children come together and pray for our grandparents.  A full schedule of the day is included at the Divine Mercy website.

The Children's Rosary will be held at 1PM ET at the outdoor shrine during Eucharistic Adoration.  All are invited to attend.  Please know we will be praying for all of you.  If you are able to unify prayers with the children this would be an added blessing for all of us.

Members of the Children's Rosary are encouraged to come and help lead the Rosary. Children please bring your grandparents, too!!

Happy Feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim!

A number of grandparents attended our most recent Children's Rosary at
St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hartford CT.  The children shared roses with
their grandparents at the end of the meeting.

Today we remember the parents of Our Blessed Mother and the grandparents of Jesus.  In a special way, we ask for their blessing on all of our members and the children.  

There is an appreciation for all our grandparents and the important role they play in the family and within the Children's Rosary prayer group movement.   

We thank Our Lord for our grandparents and pray for them.

A grandmother and her granddaughter help lead a
Children's Rosary in Middleboro, MA USA

We have many group leaders and members of the Children's Rosary who are grandparents and I humbly thank all of you for your sacrifices and prayers for the little ones.  In turn we pray for you and ask Our Lord to be especially generous with His blessings on all of you and your families.

During the month of July we have encouraged groups to invite grandparents to attend meetings and also encourage grandparents to bring their grandchildren to a Children's Rosary meeting.  This is the second year we have done this and hope to make it an annual tradition.

This week we have many groups meeting.  Please join the children in prayer.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Saturday July 25th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, held in the Kiberna slum in Langatta Nairobi Kenya 10 AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis Oregon 12 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at the Daughters of Charity Convent in Bridgeport CT 2:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 9PM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashrif Town Pakistan 
Sunday July 26th 
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick Parish in Nottingham, England 9AM local time
Children's Rosasry at Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Nairobi, Kenya 6AM ET
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 7AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Paul's Parish in Negaunee, Michigan 9AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Pontiac, IL 9AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Margaret Church in Waterbury, CT 10AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Derby, CT 11 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, CT 11AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist in Hopkington, MA 11:15 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at the Daughters of Charity Convent in Bridgeport, CT 2:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashrif town in Pakistan 
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 9PM local time
Monday July 27th
Children's Rosary at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Luanda, Angola
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Wakefield, MA 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Hope for Children in Meru, Kenya 10 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, PA 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladston, Michigan 4:40 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ET
Tuesday July 28th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Paksitan 6AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee, Michigan 6PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashrif Town in Pakistan
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan
Wednesday July 29th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Pakistan 6AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Keiran School in Queensland Australia 8AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Esate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Immaculate Conception Church in Shelbyville, Illinois 4:30 CT
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Ashrif Town Pakistan 
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Butanpura Paksitan 9PM local time

Passing On the Faith

Recently I received some beautiful pictures from our Children's Rosary group at St. Paul's Church in Negaunee, Michigan USA.  This group began in October 12th, 2014 and has been meeting on the second Sunday of the month.  The group is run by Mary Evans with the invaluable assistance of Francine Valenti.

Mary wrote that they have tried to closely model each of their meetings according to the Children's Rosary CD.  Most of the children come before the altar with a small statue of Our Lady before them.  They humbly place their special intentions in a box before them as they pray.

The meeting begins in song by the children singing Rosary Children.  The children then begin the Rosary and take turns leading each decade. At the end of each decade Mary shared "the children lay the roses at Our Lady's Feet (this is their favorite!)" After the Rosary the children "place the roses in a vase before a life size statue of Our Blessed Mother and they remain in the church." 
The group made a large poster featuring some of the children from other Children's Rosary groups from around the world.  In this way each child is able to see that they are not alone in prayer.  Children from all around the globe are also sharing a similar experience in prayer.  

For children it is so important for them to see they are not alone in their faith.  Other young people are praying and in a special way praying for them as fellow members of the Children's Rosary. Not only is there a wonderful fellowship in prayer amongst the children but it is also a wonderful opportunity for parents and grandparents to come and be a part of this special time in prayer. For the children to look out and see their family kneeling in prayer from the pews helps to reinforce how important and special this time is in prayer of the Rosary.

The group leader of this Children's Rosary is a grandmother and wrote that she has been able to share this experience of prayer with three of her grandchildren (Emma  age 12, John age 10 and Marlee age 8) who have joined the Children's Rosary. 

Creating and sharing these wonderful memories of prayer will last a lifetime and in a very simple and gentle way help pass on the faith to the future of our Church: the children. 
Over the next week we will have many Children's Rosary groups meeting please consider joining them in prayer.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Saturday April 25th
Children's Rosary at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, held in the Kiberna slum in Langatta Nairobi Kenya 10 AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis Oregon 12 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at the Daughters of Charity Convent in Bridgeport CT 2:30 PM ET
Sunday April 26th 
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick Parish in Nottingham, England 9AM local time
Children's Rosasry at Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Nairobi, Kenya 6AM ET
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 7AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Paul's Parish in Negaunee, Michigan 9AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Pontiac, IL 9AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Margaret Church in Waterbury, CT 10AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Derby, CT 11 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, CT 11AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist in Hopkington MA 11:15 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Patrick's Church in Tacoma, WA 11:30 AM PT
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at the Daughters of Charity Convent in Bridgeport, CT 2:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Anthony Church in Loraine, Ohio 3PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Monday April 27th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Wakefield, MA 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Hope for Children in Meru, Kenya 10 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, PA 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladston, Michigan 4:40 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ET
Tuesday April 28th
Children's Rosary at St. Paul's School in Odell, Illinois 11 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee, Michigan 6PM ET
Wednesday April 29th
Children's Rosary at St. Keiran School in Queensland Australia 8AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Esate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Immaculate Conception Church in Shelbyville, Illinois 4:30 CT

Other Posts you May enjoy:
What to Do When One Keeps Stumbling
A Grandmother's Experience with the Children's Rosary
Children's Rosary Book

The Power of the Prayers of Grandparents

Today leaving Mass a mom came over to me.  She shared that her grandmother had just passed and she was just back from Oregon where she attended the funeral.  Her grandmother was 101 years old and had prayed the Rosary all her life.  With tears welling in her eyes she said she wanted to make the Rosary more a part of her life and her children's lives.  She asked me to help her and to encourage her and her children to come to the Children's Rosary.  This mom also coordinates the little lamb program during  the Sunday 10:30 Mass where the children ages 3-6 leave for a small portion of the Mass for explanation of the readings and Gospel.  She now feels compelled to give the children in her little lambs a Rosary and strongly encourage them to begin coming to our monthly Children's Rosary.

In Adoration after the Mass I began to think of this mom and how the faithfulness of her grandmother to the Rosary and her prayers had made a strong effect on her grown grandchild.  

The role of grandparent in the family is so important.  It is sometimes the safety net for many grandchildren who might not be exposed to the traditions of the Church.  Even in homes where families go to Mass together grandparents can build and support what is being given to children.  In these times which are so challenging to raise children, parents need all the help they can get.

One of the grandparents that leads a Children's Rosary in Louisiana shared, "I pray to our Lord that more grandparents will get involve with their grandchildren.  Me, for one, my closest granddaughter lives 1.15hr away, so I don't get to have her that much.  She was here for my birthday that happen to be (here) on the (Children's) Rosary day.  She is 9 and did beautifully.  I have a Vietnamese grandmother, may the Lord, bless her. She brings her 4 yr.old granddaughter every time.  It makes us proud.  Beautiful lady and child". 

The important role of grandparents in the Children's Rosary cannot be emphasized enough.  So many of our Children's Rosary groups were begun by grandparents some with their grandchildren living far away.  Yet they felt compelled to help other little ones. For Our Lord sees everything and provides for our family when we provide for others.

Other posts you may enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
A Grandmother's Experience with the Children's Rosary
Did You Ever Receive a Rosary on Your First Holy Communion
A Lesson Pope Francis Learned from his Grandmother

A Grandmother's Experience with the Children's Rosary

"St Francis of Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica"
by Nate age 5

Recently I received a lovely note from a grandmother who has been a part of the Children's Rosary.  Her own daughter was very sick through her pregnancy and had reached out to our groups for prayers.  It was our joy to pray for her daughter and the little baby she carries.    Her note below is a beautiful example of the amazing capacity children have for prayer and love of Our Lady and her Son.  It also so wonderfully shows how grandparents can foster faith in their grandchildren through beginning a Children's Rosary.

Dearest Blythe,
Know that you and your family and Apostolate are ever in my heart and prayers.  I have begun praying the Rosary with my grandson Nate who is 5. For the very first time last week he prayed the entire Rosary with me using your booklet.  He loved the Luminous Mysteries and read them and the Thinking of portion of the prayers.  It was so beautiful and I knew we were united through the Immaculate Heart of Our Holy Mother in a very special and powerful way to all the groups. So I would like to register as a group.

Barb goes on to share a bit about her grandson Nate.
He has loved "Mama Mary" since he could talk and loves the Saints.  He is a little prayer warrior! At 5 he has composed prayers and songs to Jesus that he has typed himself, printed, and inserted in a binder. He has 42 pages so far.  He also loves to build cathedrals and basilicas dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I have included one picture but I have many(see above).  After receiving this note I asked her if Nate had a name for this Basilica he had built?  This was her response:
He wanted me to tell you the official name: St Francis of Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica".    I knew it was important to him so I am dashing this off to you with love and prayers! Nate said to tell you "Thanks".  :)

Other Posts you may enjoy:
A lesson Pope Francis learned from his grandmother
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Here is what Clergymen, Parents and Children have to say about the Children's Rosary
Collaboration with the Catholic Grandparents Association.