Illuminated by the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary, let us rediscover the joy of family prayer. Montfort said: «The family that prays together will also live together». Through prayer and meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, Mary guides us safely toward her Son! Praying the Rosary means, in fact, learning to look at Jesus with the eyes of his Mother, to love Jesus with the heart of his Mother.
Let us not be ashamed to pray the Rosary alone while going to school, university, or work, on the street and on public transport; let us get used to praying it together in our groups, movements, and associations; let us not hesitate to suggest praying it at home, with our children, parents, and siblings, since it revives and strengthens the bonds among family members. This prayer will help us to be strong in faith, steadfast in charity, joyful and persevering in hope.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
Saint Faustina Kowalska
«Humanity will not find peace until it turns with trust to divine mercy», Jesus said to Saint Faustina Kowalska, whose feast is celebrated today. John Paul II recalled that «through the work of the Polish nun, this message became forever linked to the twentieth century, the last century of the second millennium and a bridge to the third millennium.
[…] What will the years ahead bring us? What will the future of humanity on earth be like? We are not given to know. It is certain, however, that alongside new advances there will unfortunately be no shortage of painful experiences. But the light of divine mercy, which the Lord chose almost to return to the world through the charism of Sister Faustina, will illuminate the path of the people of the third millennium».
Let us imitate this saint’s shining example, her trusting abandonment into the merciful arms of the Father.
For further reading:
• Jesus, I trust in you
• Chaplet and Novena to Divine Mercy
• Saint Faustina and Divine Mercy
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary
“Praying the Rosary means learning to look at Jesus with the eyes of his Mother, to love Jesus with the heart of his Mother” (Saint John Paul II). Today’s memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary may be an opportunity to rediscover this extraordinary prayer and the treasures it brings with it. The Rosary is a contemplative prayer; contemplation is, in fact, an essential element of it, as Saint Paul VI reaffirmed in “Marialis Cultus.” “Without it, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation risks becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas and contradicting Jesus’ warning: ‘When you pray, do not babble like the pagans, who think they will be heard because of their many words’ (Mt 6:7). By its nature, praying the Rosary requires a calm rhythm and almost a thoughtful lingering, which encourage the person praying to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life, seen through the heart of the one who was closest to the Lord, and reveal their unfathomable riches.”
Let us set aside some time, away from the rush and daily worries, to open ourselves to contemplating the mysteries of Jesus.
For further reading:
• Pray the Holy Rosary every day; pray together
• The Holy Rosary. Mary leads us to encounter Jesus
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Beginning the novena to Saint Gerard Majella
Begin today the novena to Saint Gerard Majella. “I am going to become a saint,” Gerard wrote on a sheet of paper before running away from home to join the Redemptorist missionaries. His life speaks to us of the power of the Lord Jesus, who, through the gift of the Spirit, frees us, heals us, and renews us. During these nine days of prayer, let us seek to live with the spirit of Saint Gerard, who sought truth in the small and simple things of life, always guided by love for others.
For further reading:
• Saint Gerard Majella. The little friar who played with God
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Venerable Pius XII
Today we remember Venerable Pius XII. Deeply devoted to Our Lady, during the Holy Year, with the apostolic constitution “Munificentissimus Deus” of November 1, 1950, he defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Eugenio Pacelli had been ordained a bishop and sent to Germany as apostolic nuncio when the Virgin appeared to the three shepherd children of Fatima on May 13, 1917. During the war, Pius XII’s action was quiet but far-reaching. Blessed Edvige Carboni said: «How much we suffered during the war! If it had not been for the Holy Father’s help, we would have died of hunger. Hard times have passed, but the Holy Father, the Pope, came to us and to all of Rome’s aid, helping us and giving us bread himself. He also gave us clothes. Our pope is a saint! Love him. Our pope is truly a saint!». During the canonization of Mother Rossello in St. Peter’s Square, at the moment of the elevation, Carboni saw him with a halo around his head.
For further reading:
• Pius XII is truly a saint
This October, once again the Church ideally places the Rosary crown in our hands: let us welcome it, asking Mary to grant us the grace to retrace with her the stages of her Son’s life, so that we may enter into a truer and more personal relationship with him. Following Mary’s example, let us learn to say “Yes” to the Lord in every circumstance of life and to set aside selfishness and laziness so that we may continue walking confidently under her maternal gaze.
I’ll be waiting for you in the comments!
Have a good journey!
