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| Children's Rosary |
This is a picture taken from a Children's Rosary held at the Chapel of the Daughters of Mary of Providence in Syracuse NY. Even though this group hasn't had many children come the group leader was extremely happy that Sophia came with her mother. The young girl shared that she had recently been making Rosaries. Her brother comes to the Children's Rosary when he can. He just made his first Holy Communion. Although by many standards one might see this groups as yielding little since so few come but we are reminded in Scripture that great numbers do not matter. "If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
I am continually reminded by Scripture that what we see is not what Our Heavenly Father sees. More and more Children's Rosary group leaders are sharing that the Lord is granting them a peace within their hearts that numbers do not matter. Our Lord sees our intention to bring many children to Him and in this effort and love much merit is found. If we look at Our Lord's example when He was on the Cross we see that so much was achieved for the world while a single soul suffered, thirsting that all would be saved.
So we must not give up. Even if at times we may be alone praying that children will come. Do not give up. Many children are far from prayer but through the Children's Rosary they have an invitation to meet Our Lord with other children under the protection and guidance of their Heavenly Mother. There may be a moment when the thought enters ones heart, I am not successful and others could do it better and it is best to leave it to those more capable or virtuous. But if not you, then who? We are all so flawed and in need of Our Lord's Mercy. In our weakness and inability, we give Our Lord more opportunity show His glory. If one finds they experience a deeper sense of humility after such an endeavor this is also a great blessing for our souls.
May I thank you all for your perseverance. Our Lord is faithful to our prayers. As we are seeing more and more Children's Rosary groups are forming in all corners of the globe and with one soul at a time more children are discovering the Rosary and a deep love for their Father in Heaven who is waiting for them.
Have you ever worked and prayed toward something good and on the eve or day of the event found yourself under a barrage of challenges and your response a disappointment. Do the challenges highlight in neon lights all your spiritual flaws so that anyone could see them crystal clear? Yes, this has been my experience. It is at these times that one starts to question many things such as whether the soul has any business planning religious events or efforts when it is in a very sorry state itself. Yes, this is where I found myself today but something stopped the tail spin that had begun. It was a call to stop the useless questioning and pray.
A passage from the diary of St. Faustina comes to mind, one I have taken solace in many times:
January 7. During the Holy Hour, the Lord allowed me to taste His Passion. I shared in the bitterness of the suffering that filled His soul to overflowing. Jesus gave me to understand how a soul should be faithful to prayer despite torments, dryness, and temptations; because oftentimes the realization of God’s great plans depends mainly on such prayer. If we do not persevere in such prayer, we frustrate what the Lord wanted to do through us or within us. Let every soul remember these words: “And being in anguish, He prayed longer.” I always prolong such prayer as much as is in my power and in conformity with my duty.
