The most holy rosary takes me on a journey through the Gospel story where the Blessed Mother’s example of holiness is always challenging me to step it up — bringing me closer to Jesus.
I did not grow up as a cradle Catholic, yet I hear from many who did that they would recite the rosary regularly after their evening meal with mom and dad. Its meditative repetition helped them digest their evening meal as their parents led the prayerful charge. Keeping alert and maintaining a prayerful posture at times may have been challenging, yet it was clear to me that the impact of their rosary experiences still resonates with them to this day.
If you give the mysteries of the rosary and its scriptural references their just due, converts like me and many non-Catholics eventually see that the decades, the messages within each mystery and contemplative nature of the prayer is all about Mary leading us to Jesus. She teaches in this devotion how to step it up as his disciples. She never misses a step as one observes her various roles as the first disciple, humble servant, attentive and Blessed Mother throughout the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. From the Annunciation to the coronation of Mary as queen of heaven, she is teaching and offering her children the fruits of the Gospel. As Catholics, we give the rosary special attention in October. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is Oct. 7.
In spiritual warfare, Padre Pio proclaimed the rosary as “the weapon for these times.” The rosary was often noted as the favorite prayer of St. John Paul II. During his papacy, in his apostolic letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae,” he writes that “the Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium.” Hence, he proclaimed October 2002 to October 2003 the Year of the Rosary, with the rosary to be rediscovered and the Blessed Mother’s powerful intercession leading the prayerful every step of the way.
Mary pursues and leads us every step of the way to a life of intimacy with Christ. Praying, meditating and contemplating the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus through the rosary, we experience many Marian teaching moments. Soon after the joyful mystery of the Annunciation, when she humbly accepts God’s will to bear “the Son of God” (Lk 1:35), Mary demonstrates that the love of God and the love of neighbor are inseparable. “In those days Mary arose and went with haste…” (Lk 1:39) — not missing an opportunity to serve her cousin Elizabeth in the visitation, exemplifying the two greatest commandments.
Mary understands how the greatness of God lives at the level of ordinary life, and she teaches us through all the mysteries of the life of Jesus via the rosary. She sanctifies, instructs and guides us every step of the way to know and love Jesus. Her last words recorded in the New Testament at the wedding in Cana, are “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). A profound message she herself followed obediently during Jesus’ three-year ministry. This message by her example resonates in our hearts today should we embrace the habit of praying the rosary daily.
Prayer vigils during holy hours that include the rosary are a signature mark of the Catholic Watchmen. This is because we are striving continually to be spiritual fathers like St. Joseph — providers, protectors and leaders of the faith — as he was for the Holy Family during his life. With St. Joseph as our model, Catholic Watchmen keep with Mary in praying the rosary. Because in the Gospel story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, Mary never misses a step as the mother of our Lord, in bringing us closer to the saving knowledge and love that her son, our Savior, has for us!
Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. See heroicmen.com for existing tools supported by the archdiocese to enrich parish apostolates for ministry to men. For Watchmen start-up materials or any other questions regarding ministry to men, contact him at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.
