When I was in kindergarten, I came home from school one day with a brand-new blue plastic rosary. I was so thrilled, and I immediately asked my mother how to pray the rosary. She made it very simple and told me to pray a Hail Mary on the small beads and an Our Father on the large beads. I went right to my bedroom, knelt beside my bed and prayed my first rosary. When I finished, I ran to tell my mother, who looked at me with amusement in her eyes and asked me to show her how I prayed it. It was pretty easy for her to predict that my lightning speed rosary only included the two words on each bead: "Hail Mary" and "Our Father"! She was very sensitive to my sincerity in prayer and gently let me know my mistake. I can remember being a bit embarrassed, but in all honesty, I do not think I have ever prayed a more devoted and loving rosary than that one. Teaching our children to pray the rosary is one of the greatest gifts we can give. The rosary is a source of comfort and strength as we ask our Lady to place us with her Son while we recall the many mysteries of His life.
During the month of October, we recall our Lady with the title of Queen of the Holy Rosary. Why does Mary want us to pray the rosary? The answer is beautifully simple. She invites us to enter into Jesus's heart through her own. The Rosary allows us the opportunity to enter into contemplative prayer, as we reflect on the life of Jesus through every mystery of the Rosary.
Many schools celebrate the rosary in a special way through a Living Rosary. This prayer brings the rosary to life as the students represent each bead while the words are prayed together.
May Mary, Our Mother, intercede with her Son for peace throughout our world.
Blessings,
Sister Mary Sue
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