Growing up, my brother, sisters, and I could not cross the street in the family minivan without our mother pulling out her rosary beads.
It did not matter who we were with, how long the trip took, or how much we huffed, puffed, and rolled our eyes–the beads came out and our mama meant business. I do not recall a day when my mom did not pray the Rosary with us at least once daily. (Yes, sometimes it was more than once).
At the time, admittedly, I begrudgingly prayed it with her. We all did.
However, looking back, those are my and my siblings’ most treasured memories. This was also a powerful formation and education in the life of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. After all, the rosary is considered the Bible on a string!
You see, the Rosary demands that we meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. And I can say with certainty, that the grace of God dispensed upon us through this particular prayer is powerful in our lives. Therefore, on behalf of my siblings and me, I’d like to share the five graces Our Lady’s intercession gave us through her rosary.
1) “Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day become a formal heretic.” – St. Louis de Montfort
Boy oh boy is this true! We all have many, many faults. Failing to love the Truth is not one of them. Not only are we lovers of Truth, but all five of us happily share the Truth with others.
2) “The Family that prays together, stays together.” – Fr. Patrick Peyton
My siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews remain close. There is no awkwardness, rifts, or drama between us. Sure, we have our little spats, but they are infrequent and quickly resolved.
3) “The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results.” – St. Josemaría Escrivá
As a family, we have our fair share of hardships. We turn to the Rosary, especially during the most difficult times. Somehow, someway, God always gives us laughter and peace–even in the midst of life’s worst battles. And regardless of how often we sin, the sacraments call us back to reconciliation with Christ, His Church, and with each other.
4) “When people love and pray the Rosary, they find that it makes them better.” – St. Anthony Mary Claret
We are far from perfect, to be sure. But we are all better than we once were and not as good as we hope to be. With Our Lady’s powerful intercession, we all hope to be saints! The Rosary definitely opens our hearts to the graces of becoming all that God created us to be.
5) “The Rosary is my favorite prayer.” – Pope St. John Paul II
Save Holy Mass, the Rosary is our family’s favorite prayer. My brother and sisters now pray it with their children. In fact, my nephew, Pete, pulls his Rosary beads out of his pocket if asked, “Where’s your weapon?” He’s 10 years old and prays the Rosary daily on his own.
Thanks be to God for the grace of the Holy Rosary, especially in my family. The Rosary is a Christocentric, simple, powerful prayer through which Our Lady showers our family with grace, peace, and joy. The Rosary is a prayer of authentic conversion of heart. The Rosary is beautiful.
Pray the Rosary with your family, friends, and communities. Pray the Rosary.
Thank you, mom! (Earthly and Heavenly).