To help us to be God-bearers or Christ bearers, we would do well to often pray the following beautiful prayer by John Henry Cardinal Newman.
Today or any day, we want to spend time with Mary, we can ponder what it was like for this woman.
Other Tidbits on our Blessed Mother
All of the following quotes/stories are from 101 Inspirational Stories about the Rosary. To order telephone 1-800-873-7375. www.rosary101.com.
Of Mary, St. Peter Damien writes:
The late Pope John Paul II wrote:
In the recitation of the rosary, the Christian community enters into contact with the memories and the contemplative gaze of Mary.
St. Louis de Montfort promoted devotion to Mary more than any other saint. Of the rosary he said:
Two stories about the power of the rosary when prayed as a prayer of intercession.
Mary Lou Schuster writes:
As a little girl, I would watch my grandmother go into the living room every afternoon and say her rosary with the deepest devotion. I would just stand there watching her in awe. Never once did she compel me to join her. However, I adored this simple woman and out of admiration learned a deep love for our Holy Mother Mary through her rosary.
I can still remember at age four receiving a small blue crystal rosary for my birthday. Although I stumbled a bit at the recitation of the Hail Mary, I tried ever so piously to imitate my sainted grandmother. The daily rosary is now a part of the fabric of my life. I believe children learn much more by what is caught then what is taught.
Mary Rigani writes:
It was a cold day in a Chicago suburb, and I was pregnant with our fifth child. I was at my doctor's office and he had just informed me he had found a lump in my breast. He also informed me that I would have to wait until I delivered the baby before I could have surgery.
It was eight weeks of tension for everyone in the family. My husband, our four other children and I decided we would prayer the rosary every night, asking that the lump would be benign.
The day came for surgery and we prayed very hard to Mary, asking that she ask her son to spare me to raise my children. Our prayers were answered and today, may years later, we have five beautiful children, and I have been able to see them grow up. I will forever be thankful to our Blessed Mother and the rosary.
In the past several months, I have started to begin my day by praying the rosary. In doing so, I often experience many distractions. Nevertheless, I find the decades of the rosary a very practical way to pray for a wide variety of intentions. The following are the names of the 20 decades of the rosary and the days that they are prayed. Also listed are some intentions that you could pray for as you pray each decade.
Joyful Mysteries, (Mondays/Saturdays)
Annunciation: For the grace to enflesh the ways of Jesus in our lives. For couples having a difficult time conceiving a child. For crisis or difficult pregnancies. That the Angel Gabriel will move every woman considering abortion this day to choose life.
Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth: For all who visit the sick and homebound, that our elderly may know that God can make them productive members of our communities, even in their old age.
Birth of Jesus: For a safe delivery for all who are expecting a child at this time. For midwives. For adoptive parents and foster parents.
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple: For parents that they may dedicate their children to God and raise them in the ways of Christ and his church.
Finding of Jesus in the Temple. For all missing persons, especially for missing children and for their loved ones. For the conversion of all who kidnap or harm children or the elderly.
Mysteries of Light (Thursday)
The Baptism of Jesus: For all who are preparing for baptism and entry into our church. For us who are baptized that we will live as faithful disciples of Jesus.
The Wedding Feast of Cana: For all preparing for marriage at this time, for married couples especially those in hurting relationships. For all who work with the engaged and in marriage counseling. For all whose 'wine has run out' - who have lost the joy of living.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: For all who are engaged in spreading the Good News. For all who teach our Catholic faith to children, teenagers and adults.
The Transfiguration: That we, like the Apostles may listen to Jesus and be transfigured into his likeness. For all who work in Houses of Prayer.
The Institution of the Eucharist. That the Holy Spirit may move Catholics who no longer come to Mass to return. That all of us who do come may be eucharist for others. For priests, deacons and ministers of the Eucharist. That more and more parishioners will be led to spend an hour a week with Jesus in our Adoration Chapel.
Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays/Fridays)
Agony in the Garden: For all who are dying at this time that they may have a peaceful death. For all who are in physical or mental agony. For caregivers.
Scourging at the Pillar: For the victims of domestic violence, street violence, and victims of war and terrorism.
Crowning with Thorns: For all who suffer from migraine headaches and mental illness, for the blind and the deaf.
Jesus Carries His Cross: For all who are carrying a big cross at this time and for their loved ones and caregivers.
Jesus Dies on the Cross. For a peaceful death for all who are dying. For all who are on death row (especially the innocent). For all who will be executed today or this week. For an end to capital punishment.
Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays/Sundays)
The Resurrection: For a spiritual awakening for those whose faith and emotional life is dormant or dead. For all who will preach the Gospel this Sunday in our churches.
The Ascension of the Lord: For living and deceased members of our parish family. For God's special blessing on those who share with our parish a generous portion of their time, treasure and talents.
Descent of the Holy Spirit: For our worldwide Catholic community, for the leaders of our church. For God's blessing on all who labor to bring about Christian unity. That all of us may grow in our ability to hear and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Assumption of Mary into Heaven: For the souls in Purgatory. For all who have asked us to pray for them. For all who will get bad news today.
Crowning of Mary Queen of Heaven. For an increase of true devotion to Mary. That we will see in Mary the model of faithful discipleship and come to know and love her.
A Prayer to our Blessed Mother
The angel said to Joseph: