The month of the most holy rosary comes upon us in October to remind and refresh us — body and soul— that the prayer time we devote in honor of the Blessed Mother is a timeless treasure. To help keep us in the love of Christ, protect us from the evil of the world and lead us to the safe haven of the heart of God — this most powerful prayer we pray with the most powerful woman in the world is for all Christians.
By no coincidence does praying the rosary majestically align with fulfilling the mission of the Catholic Watchmen: “To call all Catholic men to live up to their duty as protectors, providers and leaders in their family and parish.” The prayer helps strengthen and preserve us in holiness through the Virgin Mary’s intercession. Both tactically and meditatively, the rosary teaches us to know, love and serve Christ through its Gospel messages. In its contemplation, the prayer enlivens our leadership as spiritual fathers.
The Catholic Watchmen prayer intention throughout October is: “To invigorate the powerful prayer of the holy rosary in the daily practices of family and parish life, holding fast to the faith and having confidence in the intercession of the Blessed Mother — sharing her mysteries which always leads us to Jesus.” Truly it is in meditation of the multivalent mysteries — joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious — that teach us the Gospel story through scriptural rosaries; provide spiritual fruits that each mystery produces; and lead us to better understand and trust in the saving knowledge of Jesus. All this under the protective, contemplative mantle of the Blessed Mother and her powerful intercession. We believe and trust that Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, provides her love and prays along with us — along with all the angels and saints from whom we seek assistance.
Indeed, the timelessness and transcendence, the goodness, beauty and truth of our Catholic faith, incorporates an abundance of intercessors led by our number one saint, the Queen of Heaven. And we can confidently trust that our patron saint (i.e., defender, protector, father) of the universal Church, St. Joseph, in his endless attentiveness to the Blessed Mother, is diligently at her side. As he did in his essential earthly role in helping Jesus “increase in wisdom and stature” (Lk 2:52), he and Mary now intercede for God’s children on earth. Now we — albeit in time and space — are the recipients of God’s graces in developing, growing and preserving our life of faith.
Tying the timeless treasure of the rosary to each of the (seven) Catholic Watchmen disciplines creates ample opportunities to pray it. Daily: 1) be persistent in prayer — prioritize 15 minutes or so to pray it each day; 2) encounter Jesus in the sacred Scriptures — learn to link Bible verses to each mystery; 3) strive to be a spiritual father like St. Joseph — lead and guide your family through the rosary. Weekly: 4) attend Mass — meditate on the rosary before Sunday Mass begins; 5) serve others — share a fruit or virtue of each mystery as you pray (at least a decade) with someone in need. Monthly: 6) go to confession — perhaps go beyond a few penitential Hail Mary’s — recite a rosary on that day of contrition and healing to thank the Blessed Mother for her most powerful intercession; 7) gather regularly with others in fellowship — share a meal, listen to and discuss the key topic or witness of your time together; then allow some holy time for eucharistic adoration and to pray the rosary.
In this day and age of social media there are an abundance of good small and large group apostolates to help you pray the rosary. All are united with the formidable intercession of the most powerful woman we could ever know and trust. And yet there are simple pamphlets, brochures or tracts on the rosary available in parishes, chapels and places of worship to facilitate praying in contemplation with our Blessed Mother who leads us to Jesus Christ, the king of the universe. Seek and find what suits you best, and pray the rosary with Our Lady, Queen of Heaven. Make October the month that not only emphasizes its devotion but preserves this compelling prayer as a timeless treasure in your spiritual life every day of the year.
Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the archdiocese’s Catholic Watchmen movement. For Watchmen start-up materials please contact him at [email protected]. Also, see heroicmen.com for existing men’s ministry tools supported by the archdiocese.
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