Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
15 years 6 months ago
I had an interesting experience a little over a year ago. I am ashamed to say that I rarely if ever prayed the rosary. I think because of this, I was affected by some people praying the rosary behind me in line to watch a film. Three elderly (older than me) people were praying the rosary out loud while they were waiting in line. They were not too loud but I was right next to them so I could hear. After a while I joined in silently. When the rosary was completed, I unexpectedly felt an enormous amount of peace and joy. We were in line to see the documentary about the Carthusians, 'Into Great Silence.' I first learned my prayers in Spanish. Sometimes I will say a Hail Mary in Spanish. It is like magic and seems to encourage my own often very faltering journey and to bring me some peace and joy. The last time I saw my grandmother alive she was in a hospital bed with her rosary in her hand. She seemed peaceful and very prepared for death.
15 years 6 months ago
Fr. Jim, I'm glad to know I'm in good company about not knowing the Apostle's Creed from memory. I can never manage to recite it from memory, unlike the Nicene Creed which rolls of my tongue easily. I've begun to pray the rosary again. It's a soothing prayer and I had no idea how many ways one could pray the rosary. It's nice to know that there are different ways to pray it and that they aren't wrong. Recently, I prayed it as the Dominicans pray it when the relic of St. Jude was here. Most recently, I was at a rosary for my mother's cousin (which would mean he was mine as well) who was a 97-year-old Christian Brother and the brother's pray it differently too. I do say the Glory Be's and add a few other prayers between the decades because that's the way I learned. Thanks for this, and your other pray vlogs. They've been helpful.
15 years 6 months ago
My 17-year-old son attended the Papal Youth Rally at St. John's Seminary during Pope Benedict's recent visit to the U.S. He came home with a small bag of give-away's and one was a rosary. When he showed it to me my face lit up and I told him how special it is to have a rosary blessed by the Pope! He immediately handed it to me and said I could have it. I felt wonderful! I have not been a rosary person but as a result of this special gift I have been praying the rosary as often as I can...almost daily. I carry it with me everywhere. I had a bit of a struggle at first remembering the order and I know I kept saying the Nicene Creed by accident instead of the Apostle's Creed! And the mysteries! I still refer to a Rosary Card to remember them all! But I have to say not only do I just love praying the rosary now, but it has brought me such peace and joy and incredible gratitude. Sometimes tears will come to my eyes when I meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries. It definitely brings you closer not just to Mary and the Holy Trinity but to the communion of saints as well. I truly hope that more and more people re-discover the rosary as I have. They will be glad they did! Mary
“His presence brings prestige to our nation and to the entire Group of 7. It is the first time that a pope will participate in the work of the G7,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
“Many conflicting, divergent and often contradictory views of the human person have found wide acceptance … they have led to holders of traditional theories being cancelled or even losing their jobs,” the bishops said.