Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha

Today, July 14th, is the Feast of St. Kateri "Lily of the Mohawks". Last summer our family was able to visit the National Shrine of St. Kateri. We visited her village and also went to the stream where she was baptized. We have a small container of the water from this same stream. We prayed a Rosary during our visit at the National Shrine including in our intentions all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary.

It is interesting how the saints can become our friends. The more we learn about them and ask for the help the more it seems we are reminded of them through other people. Recently, we became friends with a priest who has started a hermitage named after St. Tekakwitha. 

We consider St. Kateri a dear friend of the Children's Rosary and continue to ask for her help and intercession. Today we brought a little third class relic of St. Kateri to our Children's Rosary at St. Peter Claver in West Hartford, Connecticut. We put the little relic before the children as they prayed. We prayed in a special way for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary.

For those who do not know this humble saint who died at the young age of 24 a brief biography is provided below. We hope to introduce her to others, especially children as she is a beautiful witness of love and faith despite extremely difficult situations. The miracle that helped her progress in the path to sainthood involved a child who had a flesh eating infection of his face. As Saint Kateri had terrible scars on her face from small pox she would have understood in a deeply personal way the affliction of a disease affecting the skin of one's face.

Background
Kateri was born in 1656 in a town near Auriesville New York.  She was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior and a Christian Algonquin mother.  Both of her parents died when she was 4. Her life in many ways reflects that of St. Teresa the Little Flower who also lost her mother at the age of 4 and like Kateri died at the age of 24.  Kateri’s parents both died of small pox. Kateri also contracted the disease but survived but her face was left disfigured. She was often seen with a blanket over her head to hide her face.

Kateri was baptized as a teenager and was rejected by her tribe.  She courageously left her home and moved to a region near Montreal, Canada. Kateri remained devoted to both the Eucharist and Christ Crucified.  She would wait outside the chapel at 4 in the morning despite bitter cold and stayed until after the last Mass.  She was committed to the care of the sick and aged.  She also took a vow of virginity at the age of 23 an unprecedented act for an Indian women.  

Kateri was the first Native American to be Beatified.  Pope John Paul II Beatified her in 1980 and on Oct 21st 2012 she was canonized by Pope Benedict the XVI.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

St. Kateri Novena

Nuestra Fe en Vivo interview

How to Start a Children's Rosary

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

Feast of the Vietnamese Martyrs

Today is the Feast of the 117 Martyrs from Vietnam canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988. This picture Tran sent us from Vietnam in the postal mail of the Martyrs. We ask for their intercession this day for each of us, our families and for the Children's Rosary. In a special way, I would like to ask their assistance with the Vietnamese translation of our Children's Rosary book that is in process. We are in search of individuals to help in reviewing the initial translation that we now have of the book. We also pray for the intercession of these saints for the continued spread of the Children's Rosary in Vietnam. 

Good news has come this week that there is interest in starting a Children's Rosary at Xuan Duong Parish in Vietnam. Tran has requested a package of Rosaries be sent for this new group. These children would be our fifth Children's Rosary group in Vietnam. We currently have Children's Rosary groups in four orphanages in Vietnam. Three of the orphanages hold their meetings daily. This has been such a tremendous gift having so many sweet children praying in their groups each day.

If you are able to help with proofing of a translation in Vietnamese please contact us at blythe.kaufman@gmail.com. Also if you would like to help in providing donated Rosaries or financial donations to help us continue to meet the needs of so many groups around the world please send donations to:

Children's Rosary 
PO Box 271743 
West Hartford, CT 06127 USA
Checks can be made out to Children's Rosary.
Online donations are also possible HERE.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

How to Start a Children's Rosary
Come one a Journey with the Children in Vietnam
Mercy in Action: the Children Visit a Leper Communnity

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

Raising our Children in the Good and Blessed Company of the Saints

Today is the Feast of All Saints.

A parent learns early the strong influence friends can have on children as they grow. But what if the people we spend time with are saints?  Well by definition saints are those that have passed on...no longer living here on earth. So how can we spend time with them? How can they become our friends? 

There is a boy in Vietnam, Tran, who has been a beautiful witness to me of how a child can grown in love and friendship with the saints. He regularly has shared with me the stories of saints very dear to him. He keeps prayer cards and relics of the saints close to him. He lights candles before pictures of them. He finds great inspiration from their lives and brings his worries in prayer to them and asks for their prayers. He has in a very clear way, a deep relationship with the saints. 

Through this time in prayer, he has developed a love of the poor and disabled. He loves to spend time serving others. His love of Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord is evident. He understands the value of suffering. Indeed for a young person, his understanding and desire to bring more young souls to God is great. I have marveled to myself what a good effect having friends that are saints can have on a young soul after getting to know Tran. As a mother, seeing these things are a powerful confirmation of the role saints can play in assisting our children grow in virtue. This time in prayer and asking the help of the saints brings fruits.

In a special way tonight we ask for the intercession of the saints for the Children's Rosary and all the members and their families. We wish to be saints. We wish our children to be saints. These souls have gone before us and know the way. With many things trying to draw our children away from God, we wish to raise our children always in the good and blessed company of the saints.

St. Jean Marie Vianney Pray For Us

Today is the Feast of St. Jean Marie Vianney.  Last year the children and I read  the Curé d'Ars together. As we read it we fell in love with this humble saint. Catherine Lassagne a close friend of his described him, "M. le Cure was so small, so utterly nothing in his own eyes that the Holy Ghost loved to fill with a wonderful abundance of lights the void thus made by his selflessness."

It was said of this Saint that he always seemed to have but one thing to do, the duty of the present moment. Yet St. Jean Vianney was able to continually lift his heart to Our Lord even while fulfilling his duties.  He had a way of weaving prayer throughout his day.
"Prayer is a fragrant dew. The more we pray, the more we love to pray." -St. Jean Vianney

The picture above is of a pond. The water almost a mirror of that which is above. St. Vianney seemed to be such a polished mirror reflecting Our Lord.  Many drew to him to catch a glimpse of such holiness. He thought very little of himself despite such attention. Some would grab at his clothes as he would walk to the Church, they hoped to get a piece of cloth to keep as a relic for they felt that he was a living saint. Indeed they were right about his sanctity. But he would tell them to make their own relics. This is also the beauty of St. Jean Vianney. He kept challenging those around him to progress in holiness....to become saints themselves. Today on his feast we ask for his help. St. Jean Marie Vianney pray for us!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
St. Jean Vianney's Thoughts on Public Prayer
St. Jean Vianney and the Eucharist
How to Start a Children's Rosary
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

A Child's Devotion to St. Joseph

Our middle son, Konstantin, has a strong devotion to St. Joseph.  This began as a small child.  When we met him in an orphanage in Kazakhstan at the age of 4, he had the name Konstantin which is the Russian form of Constantine.  We decided we would keep his birth name but chose a middle name for him.  The name my husband and I chose was Joseph (husband of Mary).  His sister who we also adopted we gave the middle name of Marie after the Blessed Mother.  

From a young age we shared with Konstantin the life of St. Joseph.  As early as we can remember he has always loved St. Joseph.  He even asked recently if when he is older could he choose St. Joseph as his Confirmation name even though his middle name is already Joseph.  Like St. Joseph, Konstantin has a love of working with his hands especially with wood.  He very much wanted to learn the skill of carpentry.  We hoped and prayed that we might meet someone to help mentor Konstantin with such a skill.  Last year something beautiful happened. We met a wonderful man who was a carpenter.  He providentially came to our home to meet the family of a priest that was visiting.  At the end of the lunch Konstantin looked at me and said he thought this was the man who might help him learn carpentry.  Indeed the match seemed Divinely ordained.  A wonderful friendship began and on the first day of the carpentry lesson we happened to be by the car of Konstantin's friend and mentor. His license plate read: St. Joe.  We were all surprised by such a signal grace.  One of the projects the two of them made together was a wooden tool box.  Today with the wonderful snow that fell this week Konstantin made a St. Joseph statue out of snow.  He even put his new tool belt on him.  March 19th is the Feast of St. Joseph.  Tonight I asked Konstantin why he likes St. Joseph so much. He said, "I like St Joseph because he protected the holy family and because I want to become a carpenter and he is the patron saint of carpenters." Seeing Konstantin leaning against his St. Joseph, one can see the beauty of a child's devotion to a Saint that has been asked to protect not only children but also families and even the Church.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
"What Do You Think About When You Say the Rosary?"
Resources to Start a Children's Rosary

A Spiritual Gift on the Feast of St. Martin de Porres

Today we received a wonderful note from one of our Children's Rosary group leaders in Vietnam. His note is included below as it was written. Please understand that with translation from Vietnamese there maybe some errors in the English but the Spirit of the note was so beautiful I did not want to make any changes.

"Hello !
Today I would like to send you a spiritual gift. In the afternoon today (November 3) is the feast of St. Martin de Porres, our group consists of children and their parents were with me to visit the St. Martin de Porres Shrine. We have to pray before the monument first class of St. Martin for all the children of the Children's Rosary worldwide.
Then we were back near the statue of St. Martin and touch the statue to pray to St. Martin help for the intentions of all Children's Rosary group. 
We also visit a rosary to pray for all groups of the Children's Rosary and pray for the souls in Purgatory. 
Would you please help me this spiritual gift to all Children's Rosary groups worldwide.
We extend to you a few pictures in the afternoon today."

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
When the Impossible Becomes Possible
A Window to the World Through Prayer

Special Prayers for the Members of the Children's Rosary on the Feast of St. Padre Pio

The Children's Rosary received a beautiful grace today.  On this Feast of St. Pio of Peitrelcina our Children's Rosary group leader in Vietnam was able to venerate a first class relic of St. Pio while praying for all the members of the Children's Rosary and all who help the Children's Rosary.  He also prayed for all the families of the members of the Children's Rosary.

We are very grateful for these special prayers. The group leader wrote that the relic of St. Padre Pio "is a piece of cloth that was used to clean his wounds. On the cloth there is a little blood of St. Pio".

St. Padre Pio is known as a stigmatic and mystic but also one who carried a heavy cross of suffering.

"In order to attract us, the Lord grants us many graces that we believe can easily obtain Heaven for us. We do not know, however, that in order to grow, we need hard bread: the cross, humiliation, trials and denials." (St. Padre Pio)

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Sacrificing for Our Lord
Children's Rosary Collection of Materials

St. Jean Vianney's Thoughts on Public Prayer

Recently in reading the book the Curé d'Ars to the children, I came upon this beautiful little portion about the power of coming together in prayer which I wanted to share:

"He (St. Jean Vianney) preferred public prayer to private prayers. "Private Prayer," he used to say resembles straw scattered here and there over a field; if it is set on fire, the flame is not a powerful one; but if you gather those scattered straws into a bundle, the flame is bright, and rises in a lofty column towards the sky: such is public prayer."

Indeed we hope these Children's Rosary groups meeting around the world will be like bright lights going up to heaven.  The photo above was taken of eight Children's Rosary groups meeting together at St. Anthony Parish in Ogbodu Aba, Nigeria.  If you would like to consider starting a Children's Rosary group in your parish more information is provided HERE.

We Conclude Our Fast at the Foot of the Cross

Today is the last day of our Year of Mercy Novena of Prayer and Fasting.  It is the day when Our Lord said, "Not as I will but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).  Today is also when traditionally the Annunciation is celebrated.  "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to Thy will" (Luke 1:38).  The Catholic Church transfers celebration of the Annunciation to April 4th this year.  Yet, nine months from March 25th is Christmas so even though celebration of the Annunciation is transferred, one is aware of the wonderful connection of these dates.  

We set out on this journey of prayer and fasting 9 days ago with the hope that on Good Friday we could say with a humble heart before the Cross, "Thy will be done".  Thus saying, YES, to all God has planned for each of us. 

This morning on our last day of the fast, my children gathered round to hear another chapter of the life of St. Jean Vianney that we are reading together.  The chapter as it turned out was called: Conversion of Ars - Prayer and Penance.  St. Jean Vianney had just been assigned to this new country parish and seeing that many had grown distant from the faith he began to offer prayers and penance for the conversion of his parish.  At the end of the chapter an account is given some years later by St. Jean Vianney to a young priest of Montpellier:

"My friend, the devil is not greatly afraid of the discipline and other instruments of penance. That which beats him is the curtailment of one's food, drink and sleep.  There is nothing the devil fears more, consequently, nothing is more pleasing to God.  Oh! how often have I experienced it!  It happened at times that I refrained from food for entire days. On those occasions I obtained, both for myself and for others, whatsoever I asked of Almighty God".  

This was a beautiful gift to have this reading come this morning.  It reminded the children and I that although our fasting was not as austere as St. Jean Vianney, that during this last day there are great graces to be obtained from Our Lord.  Let us not lose even one single grace.  May we take the time to quiet ourself and ask for all that is in our heart...  share all that is troubling us.  When we set out I mentioned that often when we undertake such a journey seeking only God's Will,  those things in our lives that seem stuck...become unstuck. May we lay everything at the foot of the Cross today.  With Our Blessed Mother beside us, let us surrender everything to His Will. Amen.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Nine Month Novena for Impossible Requests

Visit of the Relics of the Passion

Dear Friends,
Please forgive my delay in sharing all the wonderful blessings from the visit of the Relics of the Passion on Wednesday.  It has been a difficult task to put into words the beauty of the evening.  This visit was a precious gift to the Children's Rosary. We are extremely grateful to the Apostolate for Holy Relics for adding St. Helena Church in West Hartford, Connecticut to their Tour of Mercy.  The children were so grateful that they were able to to help in hosting such special pieces from Our Lord's life.  While many children were able to attend, we carried all of you who live far away with us in our hearts.  

The children naturally seemed to love their role as hosts for the evening.  Children arrived early and quickly took to their places at each of the four entrances.  As each person arrived they were greeted and given a program and a blessed Children's Rosary bookmark.  People slowly made their way in and by 7PM the Church was full.  Eleven children volunteered to process into the Church with the relics.  They were each paired with a member of the Knight's of Columbus Color Guard.  The children carried symbols of each of the relics while the Knights held the relics. As the formal program began each relic was described and a reflection read about the relic.  
The relics included:
A piece of the True Cross, which was discovered by St. Helena
A piece of the Holy Table from the room where the Last Supper took place
A piece of the Column of Flagellation
A piece of the Crown of Thorns
A replica of the Holy Nail, fashioned using filings from the true nails, making it a relic of a lesser class.
A relic from the head of St. Longinus, the centurion who pierced the side of Christ
A picture of (the effigy of) the Veil of Veronica touched to the original with a Vatican seal attesting to the fact.
A piece of the exterior wrapping fro the Shroud of Turin
First class relics of each of the12 Apostles.

During each reading a relic was held up by a Knight and a member of the Children's Rosary elevated a symbol.  In some cases two children held symbols of each relic.  One of the things that was particularly evident to those attending was the care and respect that the children took in honoring Our Lord.  Denise Serafini who represented the Apostolate for Holy Relics that evening shared:
"I can't thank the (children) enough for the reverent way in which they took part.  The example that they set is a true indication of just how much Our Lady loves them for their devotion."

After all the meditations were read for the 9 relics there was time for personal veneration. A line was formed and slowly each person had a chance for personal veneration.  Children came forward with their families.  Two of our members Nathan and Hannah came with their grandmother.  Each was blessed with the relic of the true cross over their heart.  The Scripture quote came to mind several times that evening, "Let the children come to me"(Mark 10:14).  Indeed, the children did come.  These children knew well about the Passion through their prayers of the Rosary.  They came to love and console Our Lord.  In their innocence and purity the simplicity of their gifts touched many hearts.  

During the veneration I was able to come before each of the 9 relics and recommend all the members of the Children's Rosary.  I also prayed for all the intentions submitted to the Children's Rosary, holding our intention sheet to each relic.  In a special way all the hearts with the names of those joining our Year of Mercy Novena of Prayer and Fasting were touched to each relic and those individuals lifted up in prayer.  The evening extended several hours and each person was able to spend time praying before each relic.  Some of the children and adults felt moved to go up multiple times.  Pastor Fr. Crowley and Fr. Dawson offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the time of veneration.  Many families availed themselves of this grace.  

The evening was very special. The Children's Rosary wishes to express our gratitude first to Our Lord for such a blessing to be able to honor his Passion in such a special way.  We wish to thank the Apostolate for Holy Relics for accepting our invitation to come.  A special thank you to the Knights of Columbus Color Guard for being part of the evening and in a special way mentoring the children.  We wish to thank Fr. Crowley and Fr. Dawson and the Parish of St. Helena who helped in welcoming this visit of the Relics of the Passion.  A thank you to all the musicians who shared their talents.  One of the last people to venerate the relics was the gentlemen who played the violin.  He brought his instrument to touch each relic.  It was so moving to see such a souls taking what they have been given and using it to glorify God.  We pray that through our Year of Mercy Novena of Prayer and Fasting which began on February 17th that each one of us may say, "Your will be done" and in so doing allow all of our gifts to be used in honor of God.

Your Friend in Christ,
Blythe

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary

Feast of St. Thomas Becket

As today is the Feast of St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr, I thought it timely to highlight the Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Becket Church in Cheshire, Connecticut USA.  In these last days of 2015, we have been sharing events that happened during the year that seemed to slip by without spotlighting them here.  

One such event was the visit of UN Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima to St. Thomas Becket Parish on October 15th 2015.  The Children's Rosary group leaders for this parish helped organize the visit and held a Children's Rosary before Our Lady of Fatima and the Blessed Sacrament. Custodian of the statue, Judy Studer, shared with the children the story of Our Lady of Fatima.  She also spoke of the three children of Fatima and their beautiful devotion to the Rosary.  First class relics of both Bl. Jacinta and Bl. Francisco were present for veneration. Each child reverently came forward for veneration of the relics.  

Toward the end of the evening one child went before Our Blessed Mother for some last prayers before leaving.  It was very sweet to see her saying her last prayers before saying good bye.

A special thank you to the Children's Rosary group leaders from St. Thomas Becket for helping to organize this event, as well as Judy Studer, Joan Alix and all those who helped to make this a special time of prayer for the children. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Star of the Sea
Christ is Born

Praying with the Saints and Angels

This past month at our Children's Rosary at St. Thomas the Apostle no other children came except my own.  As Kostin was getting up from his seat to take his place kneeling before the altar he began singing a tune with the words, where two or three are gathered in my name.  This unexpected little phrase lifted my spirits and made me smile.  

It was interesting as we saw that we were alone a thought came, let us fill the room by inviting angels and saints.  By name we took turns calling out to individual saints and inviting them.  Kostin invited St. Constantine and St. Helen.  We invited many saints including St. John Paul II, St. Therese, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Rafael.  We asked that no space remain empty,  that all the angels would fill all the remaining area in the chapel.  We also in a special way invited Our Blessed Mother and the Holy Trinity.  It actually was spectacular.  The kids looked out as they took turns leading the Rosary from the podium and seemed to be looking at the seats with a renewed awe.  To imagine the saints kneeling in prayer with us and angels filling the room was magnificent. We were all a bit humbled and Kostin seemed to pray a bit louder than normal, presumably so everyone could hear.  During the second decade an older women came into the chapel and knelt down at a seat.  She joined us in prayer.  This may have been the first time that no other children came other than Alina and Kostin.  Yet we were somehow very happy things turned out as they did.  More and more the children and I like to invite different saints to pray with us not only at our Children's Rosary but also during our evening family prayer.  We trust our prayers are heard and enjoy the wonderful experience of developing friendships with the saints as we pray together.
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Avenue of Grace
Praying for the Intercession of the Saints

Wheat

Today is day two of our nine day fast. Starting out on such a journey there may be doubts coming and going in your heart.  If I am struggling this much at the beginning how could I last all 9 days.  Yet it is in these first days when one is beginning to say no to the flesh that the battle seems to rage most fiercely.  Whether you are fasting on bread and water or giving up something else there is a renunciation of that which is comfortable and pleasing to the senses.  

Why would we willingly put ourselves through such struggle and sacrifice.  Saints have spoken of the grace that comes through fasting.

"...although we may be able to do but little, the enemy nevertheless stands more in awe of those whom he knows can fast."  - St. Francis de Sales

"Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity." 

- St. Augustine

Pope's have also spoken of the benefits of this holy practice:

Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the value of fasting in his message for Lent on Feb 25th 2009

The faithful practice of fasting contributes, moreover, to conferring unity to the whole person, body and soul, helping to avoid sin and grow in intimacy with the Lord.

Fasting certainly bring benefits to physical well-being, but for believers, it is, in the first place, a “therapy” to heal all that prevents them from conformity to the will of God.

By freely embracing an act of self-denial for the sake of another, we make a statement that our brother or sister in need is not a stranger.

Today at daily Mass the priest spoke about St. Ignatius of Antioch.  He shared that facing martyrdom he told those that would kill him, I am the wheat of Christ grind me up!  The words of scripture come to mind, "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:24) It would seem that fasting allows one to deny the flesh and allow us to be more beautifully directed by the Lord.  It is in the crucible of sacrifice that we see so many fruits coming.

It is never to late to join us.  To read more about our participation in this nine days of prayer and fasting click HERE.

"If You Forgive Someone You Can Become a Saint"

A picture taken of the truck which transports the body of
St. Maria Goretti

This week we have been sharing stories from our trip to the World Meeting of Families(WMOF) where 9 children and 4 adults represented the Children's Rosary.  The children helped answer questions about the Children's Rosary at our informational booth at the WMOF.  In between our time in the convention center at the booth we had an opportunity to see the tour of the major relics of St. Maria Goretti.  The incorrupt body of St. Maria Goretti was displayed at St. John the Evangelist Church in Philadelphia.  This was a wonderful highlight as my daughter Alina had been doing reading about this saint and had made a compilation of drawings and quotes about her life (pictures on the right).  Alina's younger brother on the way to the relic tour asked her about St. Maria Goretti.  She told him "if you forgive someone you can become a saint".  A very sweet summary of Maria Goretti through the eyes of a child.

Indeed the life of Maria Goretti is a wonderful witness of the fruits and beauty that comes through forgiveness.  Another path full of more suffering could have unfolded if Maria had not forgiven the individual responsible for her fatal wounds.  

While sitting in prayer before the relics for several hours, a documentary played in the background.  I was not aware of the fact that Maria's mother was unable to go to her funeral as that was one of the last days she could spend with her remaining 5 children.  Since Maria's mother was already a widow with little means, the loss of Maria was the tipping point by which she no longer could support her children.  Thus she had to give them all up for adoption.  So the death of Maria also meant the loss of all the Goretti children for her mother.  Yet years later when the individual responsible for so much pain stood on her doorstep asking for forgiveness Maria's mother not only forgave the man but also took him into her home as her son.  Indeed Maria's witness served as a bright light for so many even her mother.  Maria was just 11 years old at her death and for many children she represents a wonderful example of purity and forgiveness. At Maria's Canonization her mother was able to attend.  This was the first time a parent was able to attend the canonization of a saint.

Recently the Vatican announced that a plenary indulgence under the normal conditions would be granted to all those who go and venerate St. Maria Goretti during the September-November Tour. 

Please know that in a special way you were all remembered in prayer during veneration of the relics of St. Maria Goretti. In a special way I prayed for a protection of the purity of the children who are part of the Children's Rosary and the grace of forgiveness for all the members of the Children's Rosary.

Other posts you may enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Pure Joy Comes from the Lord
Here is what Parents, Clergymen and Children are Saying about the Children's Rosary

St. Faustina Prayer For Us!

Peace Rose Planted for Our Lady
by members of the Children's Rosary 

Today, October 5th,  the Church remembers St. Faustina.  Her Diary is a treasure.  Below are a few quotes to reflect on from the Diary:

“You should not worry too much about adversities. The world is not as powerful as it seems to be; its strength is strictly limited.. Know, my daughter, that if your soul is filled with the fire of My pure love, then all difficulties dissipate like fog before the sun's rays and dare not touch the soul. All adversaries are afraid to start a quarrel with such a soul, because they sense that it is stronger than the whole world...”

 "Be grateful for the smallest of My graces, because your gratitude compels Me to grant you new graces." 

Jesus said, "Yes, I will be with you always, if you always remain a little child and fear nothing. As I was your beginning here, so I will also be your end. Do not rely on creatures, even in the smallest things, because this displeases Me. I want to be alone in your soul. I will give light and strength to your soul, and you will learn from My representative that I am in you, and your uncertainty will vanish like mist before the rays of the sun."

"He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the Cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart."

"I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners. Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me - clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls"

[Once] when I saw how much my confessor [probably Father Sopocko] was to suffer because of this work which God was going to carry out through him, fear seized me for the moment, and I said to the Lord, "Jesus, this is Your affair, so why are You acting this way toward him? It seems to me that You are making difficulties for him while at the same time ordering him to act."Write that by day and by night My gaze is fixed upon him, and I permit these adversities in order to increase his merit. I do not reward for good results but for the patience and hardship undergone for My sake."

Praying for the Intercession of the Saints

Children's Rosary at St. Pius X

Today the Church honors St. Pius X. The 100th anniversary of his death was also August 20th.  In prayer today, my mind went to the little Children's Rosary we have at St. Pius X in Wolcott, Connecticut USA.  In thinking of these little children meeting in a Church named after this Saint, I was moved to ask for his special intercession for not only the group which meets in a Church named after him but for all the members of the Children's Rosary.  In a special way each new Children's Rosary group that meets in a Church named after a different Saint is like a little gift.  As people contact the Children's Rosary there is always an excitement to hear the name of where a new group will be forming.  Our wonderful Saints are such a source of help for all of us.  In so many small ways their assistance is felt throughout the movement.  We thank them this evening for all they have done to spread the Children's Rosary.  One can see a list of many of the Saints members of the Children's Rosary have prayed to in a nine day novena by clicking here.  

One of the beautiful blessings that we have seen in the children who are members of the Children's Rosary is an increased interest in learning about the Saints and through them following their beautiful example of faith.

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

This portrait of Mother Duchesne was reportedly done by an Ursuline nun in New Orleans
 and said to most closely resemble what she really looked like

Favorite Quotes of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne:

You may dazzle the mind with a thousand brilliant discoveries of natural science; you may open new worlds of knowledge which were never dreamed of before; yet, if you have not developed in the soul of the pupil strong habits of virtue which will sustain her in the struggle of life, you have not educated her, but only put in her hand a powerful instrument of self-destruction.

We may not understand His Will for us in time, but in eternity the veil will be drawn and we shall see that He acted only for our happiness.

I love my solitude, and I would love it still more if I had more of it.

God alone and the desire of His glory - nothing else matters.

Humility is the virtue that requires the greatest amount of effort.

Lord, I lean on You alone for strength. Give me your arm to support me, your shoulders to carry me, your breast on which to lay my head, your Cross to uphold me, your Eucharist to nourish me. On you Lord, I shall sleep and rest in peace.

Quotes On Suffering 

Let us bear our cross and leave it to God to determine the length and the weight.

Never forget that the road to Heaven is the Way of the Cross. Jesus has called us to follow Him, bearing the Cross as He did.

He will never let the trial surpass the strength He gives you, and at the very moment you think yourself overwhelmed by sorrow, He will lift you up and give you peace.

Background:

St Philippine Duchesne was a religious sister born in Grenoble France.  She was born in 1769 and lived until November 18th 1852. She spent a good deal of her life in Midwestern United States and brought the Society of the Sacred heart to America. The first Sacred Heart house built outside France was one she founded in a log cabin in St. Louis Missouri. St. Philippine also worked with the Native Americans and they were fond of calling her Quahkahkanumad, which means “women who prayers always.”  St. Philippine spent her last 10 years mostly in prayer in humble accommodations and passed away on Nov 18th 1852,

She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on July 3rd 1988.

Reflections

As a student of the Society of the Sacred Heart in middle school and high school I grew up hearing about St. Philippine.  Today as we have two Children’s Rosary groups meeting one in a school there is a wonderful joy and hope that St. Philippine will intercede for the Children’s Rosary and help our children as they grow in faith. Thank you St. Philippine.

Please consider joining the Children in prayer of the Rosary today.  The Children’s Rosary at Trinity Academy in Shenandoah Pennsylvania will meet at 12:20PM EST today and a second Children’s Rosary will meet in Mahopac, New York at 4:30 at St. John the Evangelist parish.  Please consider joining the children in prayer.  They always pray for those unifying prayers with them.