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.

Let Us Pray, Pray, Pray

Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Church in Nairobi, Kenya

Let us pray, pray, pray because without prayer there is no peace.  Our Lord wants to give us His peace so let us ask for it.  

Peace in our hearts and our families is a very special gift.  

Let us yearn for peace and seek it, for God is our true peace. There is a temptation to speak of prayer and yet find the day finished without finding the time to pray.  Consider unifying your prayers with the children who are praying.  There is a schedule of when groups from around the world are meeting. May we draw away from the noise and distractions of the world and let our prayers rise with those of the children. 

The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Friday March 6th (First Friday)
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Orange TX 7:05 AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Paul's School in Odell, IL 8:35 AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Stephen Church in Lilburn,  GA 9AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Chruch in Pine Bluff, Wisconsin 10 AM CT 
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Church in Adrian, Michigan 5PM ET
Saturday March 7th (First Saturday)
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis, Oregon 9AM PT 
Children's Rosary at St. Agnes Church in Naples, Florida to meet at 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Sharon MA 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of LaSalette Parish in Sulphur, Louisiana 9:30 AM CT
Children's Rosary of St. Michael the Archangel Parish held in Kibera Slum in Langatta Nairobi, Kenya 10AM local time
Children's Rosary at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Rushden Northants England 3PM GMT(10 AM ET)
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Parish in Syracuse, NY 10 AM at the Daughters of Mary Chapel
Children's Rosary at Sacred Heart Church in East Berlin, CT to meet at 10AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Bridget Church in Cheshire CT 12:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Sacred Heart Church in Middleboro, MA 2PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Becket Church in Cheshire CT 3PM ET
Children's Rosary at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, CT 3:30PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Shrub Oak, New York 4:45 PM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Hartford, CT 5PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Luke Parish in Ogallala, Nebraska 4:30 PM CT
Children's Rosary at St Edward the Confessor Church in Richmond Virginia 4PM
Sunday March 8th
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick Parish in Nottingham England 9AM local time(4AM ET)
Children's Rosary 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. Francis of Assisi Parish in South Windsor CT 8:45 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hartford CT 9:45 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Britain, CT 11AM ET

Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston CT 11AM ET

Children's Rosary at St. Patrick's Church in Tacoma, WA 11:30 AM PST

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 Lorain, Ohio 3PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament

Monday March 9th
Children's Rosary at St. Joseph Parish in Wakefield, MA 9:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Home for Children in Meru, Kenya 10AM 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 Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ET

Children's Rosary at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother in Avondale, PA 6PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Patrick's Parish in Murphy's, CA 7PM ET

Tuesday March 10th

Children's Rosary at St. Anthony Church in Taylor Mill Kentucky 9:30 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 March 11th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Patrick's Parish in Angel's Camp, CA 7PM ET
Thursday March 12th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Martin Church in Kingsville, Texas 6:30 PM ET

Other posts you may enjoy:
Vocation of Motherhood
Give and it will be given to you
How to start a Children's Rosary

Oasis of Peace

Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School
Orange, Texas

In a time when children in particular have been targeted by war it is particularly important for our children to find a place of peace.  Jesus as we know is the Prince of Peace and when we come to Him in prayer we find peace that does not come from this world.  Our Lady of Fatima said to the children, pray the Rosary for peace and to stop wars.  Indeed there is a peace that flows abundantly through prayer especially the Rosary.   Many have said that war is a symptom of many individuals who have lost peace in their heart.  To bring our children to Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord in prayer is to bring them to an Oasis of Peace where they can enjoy the Love of their Heavenly Father.  As Pope Francis said, "the Rosary is medicine for the Heart." 

May I humbly thank all you who help to organize and run Children's Rosary prayer groups. It is such a gift to give our children an opportunity to come together in prayer of the Rosary with other children.  It is also a wonderful grace for our families and this world so in need of Peace.  

Please consider joining the children in prayer from your home.  There are many Children's Rosary groups meeting over the next few days.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.  To find out more about beginning a Children's Rosary prayer group in your parish, school or orphanage click HERE.

Friday October 10th
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Orange Texas 7:05 AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Pontiac, IL 9:00AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine CHurch in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET

Saturday October 11th
Children's Rosary of St. Michael the Archangel Parish and held in the Kibera slum in Langatta Nairobi Kenya 10AM local time.
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Church in Nairobi, Kenya 8AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Michael's Church in Garden City South Carolina 10:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Parish 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 October 12th
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick's Parish in Nottingham, England 9AM local time (4AM ET)
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 7AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in South Windsor, CT 8:45 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hartford, CT 9:45 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Britain, CT 11AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston CT 11AM 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. Anthony Church in Lorain, Ohio 3PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Children's Rosary at Annuciation Church in Hanover PA 4PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament
Monday October 13th
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Home for Children in Meru, Kenya at 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 Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ET held in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Children's Rosary at Rose of Mystica House in Edmeston, NY 4:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother in Avondale, PA 6PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Paul's Church in Fenton Missouri 7PM
Tuesday October 14th
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

Materials to help begin a Children's Rosary group:
Children's Rosary book
Children's Rosary CDs which help one to hear how to run a Children's Rosary and have our new Children's Rosary theme song, "Rosary Children"
To hear our new Children's Rosary theme song "Rosary Children" click here.

Praying for Peace in Our Hearts, Our Families, and Our World

Photo taken at a Children's Rosary with the Missionaries of Charity

Once I heard a priest say during a homily that if one person in your family loses their peace then the peace of the family is shaken.  Indeed it would seem that from so many directions our inner peace and that of our families is under attack.  Let us not speak at all of the turmoil all around us in our world.  Yet Our Mother comes to us with hands outstretched to help us.  She is calling us to prayer and in particular the Rosary.  Recently our own Children's Rosary group was gathered.  We had only two of my children and one beautiful family originally from France.  The little girl Charlotte who had just turned 5 knelt down with the other children to begin the Children's Rosary.  With only 4 children we asked Charlotte's mother if she was able to lead too.  Her mom nodded that indeed she could.  First Charlotte's ten year old brother led. A boy who only 1 year earlier was so shy about getting up now seemed at home with his rosaries and assuming role as leader. 

As Paul led us in the Rosary I looked at little Charlotte with a little white coat and patent leather white shoes a bit scratched which suggested that although she was very shy she was no stranger to some wonderful outdoor play.  As little Charlotte knelt all the way up with her head bowed and fingers carefully counting the beads I noticed something.  Her little leg began to shake a bit yet she did not kneel down.  She was doing all she could to kneel up.  What a beautiful little heart to give so much to her Heavenly Mother and her beloved Son.  Such little prayers from such a little soul but undoubtedly an immense affect on the flow of grace to her own family, the Children's Rosary and the world.  For we do not want to hold onto any of these graces rather we would like to be like a sieve, that as graces flow down, they spill out to all around us.  Such prayers can help to bring Peace.  For Our Lady of Fatima told the children, pray the Rosary to bring Peace.  Oh how dearly we need peace today.  

Another touching story I heard yesterday from another Children's Rosary group leader.  She was at her Children's Rosary with her grandson this past weekend.  He is just 4 years old.  Yet he asked his grandmother if he could be one of the leaders this month.  After the Children's Rosary they stayed to pray before the Blessed Sacrament *.  It was then that she heard a noise from her grandson and thought he had sneezed so she blessed him.  He then said Grammy I didn't sneeze I was blowing kisses to Jesus. 

What must our loving Lord think when a little one just four has come before Him in the Blessed Sacrament prayed the Rosary with his Heavenly Mother and now with a full heart of love blows Him kisses.  Oh it is very good for all of us to be sure.  So much love and mercy must be released from such a pure act of love.  

*This group has chosen to hold their Children's Rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Over the next few days we have many Children's Rosary groups meeting.  Please consider joining the children in prayer.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.
Friday Sept 19th 
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Pontiac, Illinois 9AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago, Ngeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Marguerite Parish in Brookfield, CT 4PM ET
Saturday September 20th
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis Oregon 12 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine CHurch in Iba Estate Logo, Nigeria 1PM ET
Sunday September 21st
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick's Parish in Nottingham, England 9AM local time (4AM ET)
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 7AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Church in Nairobi, Kenya 8 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston CT 11AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Logo, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Anthony Church in Lorain, Ohio 3PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Monday September 22nd
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Home for Children in Meru, Kenya at 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 Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ET held in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Tuesday September 23rd
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee, Michigan 6PM ET

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On this Grace filled day, consider giving your heart to Our Lady and pleading to God for peace through her Immaculate Heart!!  

Our Lady of Fatima revealed to Bl. Jacinta before her death:

“Tell everybody that God gives graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Tell them to ask graces from her, and that the Heart of Jesus wishes to be venerated together with the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Ask them to plead for peace from the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for the Lord has confided the peace of the world to her.”

Rosary

Today we have the wonderful blessing of having a new Children's Rosary meeting for the first time at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Hartford, CT.  It would seem to be another example of Divine Providence that a new group would form in a Parish named after Our Lady of Fatima and choose this special day to consecrate their group to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  

Please consider joining the children in prayer at 4PM ET for the Rosary either at the Church or from your home.  The children always pray for all those unifying their prayers with them.  If you would like to also consecrate yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus, prayers of consecration can be found here.

Masses

A Mass was also requested to be said yesterday and today for the intention: may the Children's Rosary be a reflection of Our Lady and her Son in this world.  An additional Mass was requested to be said today for the intentions of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary bless you all and protect you. Amen.

You may also like the following posts:
First Saturday Devotion
Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

How to start a Children's Rosary