Everyday Rosary Newsletter Vol.2, Issue #01 -- New Year Resolutions

January 1, 2010

Feast of Mary Mother of God

Happy New Year!

The monthly Everyday Rosary Newsletter is brought to you from the How-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com website. In each issue you will find Rosary inspirations, new meditations, feature articles and ideas that support your prayer life, a calendar of upcoming Rosary Feast Days, and how to incorporate your faith in other holidays. Plus stories on how the Rosary has affected the lives of others and what people are doing to promote the Rosary. It will also keep you up-to-date on information added to the site. It is your monthly dose of Rosary inspiration!

Table of Contents

• A Note From The Editor
• Articles
• Top 10
• How To Guide
• Calendar Of Upcoming Feast Days
• Resources
• Testimonials
• Meet This Month's Rosary Promoter
• Q&A
• What's New

The Twelve Days Of Christmas And Making Spiritually Beneficial New Years Resolutions

A Note From The Editor:

Advent has finally ended and in the last few days we have been enjoying a festive celebration of Christmas! For Catholics, Christmas does not end on December 26th, but it continues 12 days following Christmas Day ending on January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany.

Epiphany is the fulfillment of both the Advent and Christmas Seasons. During Advent, you were preparing for the coming of Jesus. During Christmas you joyously celebrated His birth and at Epiphany, His kingship is first manifested. The word Epiphany means manifestation. For it is at Epiphany when the Church celebrates the adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Three Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Wise Men's faith allowed them to see that the poor and helpless baby laying in the manger was really the Son of God and the King of the world.

So please, don't rush to take down your Christmas decorations and instead, keep the Christmas Spirit alive even past New Years Day and keep the celebration and focus until the spectacular feast of the Epiphany is celebrated. This feast has lost much of its splendor in this modern, commercialized world who has already tore down the Christmas Trees and Christmas displays and are getting the shelves ready for St. Valentine's Day.

They would try to keep our focus on the future, always looking ahead to the next big thing, the next opportunity to buy something. Don't fall into this trap. Our Lord wants us to live one day at a time. Preparing our souls each minute to meet Him. So slow down and enjoy this Christmas Season.

Articles

The Parallel Between The Twelve Days Of Christmas Song And The Rosary

Many do not know that the popular Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is actually a Catholic song that developed in England during the years in which Catholics were persecuted. This song, like the Rosary has much deeper meaning than what is seen on the surface. And like the Rosary it teaches all about the gift of the Catholic Faith.

The "True Love" refers to God. Just like the Rosary this song keeps your mind focused on the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

A Partridge symbolizes Jesus. The partridge is a bird that will pretend to be hurt in order to protect her defenseless chicks. Without Jesus, we are defenseless against the wickedness and the snares of the devil. The apple tree symbolizes the Fall of Man, whereas a pear tree symbolizes the redemption and salvation of man. Jesus is the Partridge in the pear tree of Salvation.

Two Turtle doves symbolizes the offerings made by Joseph and Mary when Jesus was presented in the Temple, the Fourth Joyful Mystery. People of the Old Covenant were bound to offer in place of their first born a sacrificial offering to God suitable to their social class. The poor Jews offered two doves. This event symbolized the sacrifice that was to come, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

Three French hens symbolizes the gifts that were given by the Three Wise Men as well as the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Faith is the fruit of the First Glorious Mystery, The Resurrection. Hope is the fruit of the Second Glorious Mystery, The Ascension. Finally Charity is the fruit of the Third Glorious Mystery, The Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Four calling birds represent the four major prophets of the Old Testament and the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The four major prophets told of Jesus' coming while the four Evangelists wrote the Gospels that proclaimed Jesus' message. The Rosary is the prayer of the Gospels and in it is proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ.

Five golden rings is a symbolism for many things: the five wounds of Christ, God's never ending love, the five necessary Sacraments and the first five books of the Bible.

Most importantly the five golden rings symbolize the five wounds suffered by Christ, the two in His feet, one in each of his wrists, and the one on His side. These wounds are meditated upon during the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. The tune of the song changes at this point to emphasis the importance of Jesus' suffering in atonement for the sins of the world.

Secondly, a golden ring signifies the everlasting love of God for us His creation, our love for Him, and our love of neighbor. Love of neighbor is the fruit of the Second Joyful Mystery, the Visitation.

Thirdly, there are five necessary Sacraments: Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation and Last Rites.

And finally, the five books of Moses, the Pentateuch are also represented in the five golden rings. These books include: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers. In these first five books of the Old Testament, the story of Creation and the Fall of Man as well as the Old Law are given. A knowledge of these first five books is important in gaining a correct understanding of the reason for Jesus' Incarnation and act of Redemption.

Six geese a-laying symbolizes the six days of creation.

Day one - "And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good; and he divided the light from the darkness. And he called the light Day, and the darkness Night"

Day two - "And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament, from those that were above the firmament, and it was so. And God called the firmament, Heaven"

Day three - "Let the waters that are under the heaven, be gathered together into one place: and let the dry land appear. And it was so done. And God called the dry land, Earth; and the gathering together of the waters, he called Seas. And God saw that it was good."

Day four - "Let the earth bring forth the green herb, and such as may seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth. And it was so done. And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as yieldeth seed according to its kind, and the tree that beareth fruit, having seed each one according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."

Day five - "Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years: To shine in the firmament of heaven, and to give light upon the earth. And it was so done. And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night: and the stars. And he set them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth. And to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good."

Day six - "Let the waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God created the great whales, and every living and moving creature, which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And he blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. And the evening and morning were the fifth day. And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature in its kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth, according to their kinds. And it was so done. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and every thing that creepeth on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good.

And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. And God said: Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind, to be your meat: And to all beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done.

And God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good."

Seven swans a-swimming symbolizes the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the seven works of both Spiritual and Corporal Mercy.

The seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit should be meditated upon during the Third Glorious Mystery, the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Counsel
• Fortitude
• Knowledge
• Piety
• And Fear of the Lord

The seven Spiritual works of Mercy are:

1. Admonish the sinner
2. Instruct the ignorant
3. Counsel the doubtful
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Bear wrongs patiently
6. Forgive all injuries
7. Pray for the living and the dead

When meditating upon the Sorrowful Mysteries, you'll realize that some of those who played a role in supporting Jesus during this time were performing Corporal works of Mercy. People like Veronica, Joseph of Arimethea, Simon of Cyrene, Mary Magdalene, John and the Blessed Mother offered the only comfort Jesus received.

The seven Corporal works of Mercy are:

1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit the imprisoned
7. Bury the dead

Eight maids a-milking symbolizes the eight Beatitudes that should be meditated upon during the Third Luminous Mystery, the Proclamation of the Kingdom. They are as follows:

• Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
• Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
• Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
• Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Nine ladies dancing symbolizes the the nine choirs of angels. Angels are spirits without bodies who surround the throne of God. They are His messengers and they protect and guide us. Angels play a role in the events that are meditated upon particularly during the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. And the Archangel Michael has a special place during the concluding prayers of the Rosary. The nine choirs of angels are:

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones
4. Dominions
5. Virtues
6. Powers
7. Principalities
8. Archangels
9. Angels

Ten lords a-leaping symbolizes the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses. The fruit of the First Sorrowful Mystery, the Agony in the Garden is Sorrow for Sin. You cannot be sorry for sin if you don't know what sin is. Sin is disobedience to God's law. You must know the laws of God in order to follow them. The Ten Commandments are:

1. Thou shalt not have other gods besides Me

2. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day
4. Honor thy father and thy mother
5. Thou shalt not murder
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery
7. Thou shalt not steal
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods

Eleven pipers piping symbolizes the eleven Apostles that remained and proclaimed the Resurrection of Jesus, the Resurrection of course being the First Glorious Mystery of the Rosary.

Twelve drummers drumming symbolizes many things. In Sacred Scripture, the number twelve means completeness. Twelve drummers drumming also represents the twelve minor prophets, the twelve points in the Apostle's Creed, the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve Apostles, and the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The twelve points in the Apostle's Creed are stated at the beginning of the Rosary. The twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit are reflected upon during the Third Glorious Mystery, the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

This article was written in an effort to reveal the true meaning behind the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", and to illustrate how the Rosary contains all the truths that the Catholic Church holds and believes.

To learn more about "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song, you will find a book in our Resource section of this newsletter. A First Day of Christmas ornament for your Christmas tree can also be found under Miscellaneous.

Mary is the Mother of God the Son, the Second Person in the Blessed Trinity. The Church does not and never has taught that Mary is the Mother of the Creator. That would be impossible for God always was and Mary is a creature like us. But she was chosen by God the Father to be the Mother of God the Son, Jesus Christ. Mary therefore holds the title Mother of God by the fact that she truly is the Mother of Jesus Christ Who is God. Jesus is both true God and true Man. He received His human nature from Mary.

Jesus is pleased with His Mother being known by the title Mother of God. Furthermore, God is in no way offended by people honoring Mary through the recitation of the Rosary.

It is offensive to God however when Mary is unappreciated and treated with little or no respect. She was a holy woman and was chosen to be the mother of God the Son. She played a role in the redemption of humankind and should be honored, not worshiped as a god, but honored as a holy woman and as the Mother of God.

New Meditation on the Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation

"To Jesus through Mary" Memorize this phrase, contemplate this concept often throughout the day. Make it your motto. Understand it's meaning.

Jesus came into the world through Mary and the world, which includes you, me, and everybody, must likewise approach Jesus through Mary. This is the surest path to holiness. This is not how I think it should be, no it is the way Jesus ordained it to be. It is His desire that His Mother be Queen of Heaven and Earth. It is His desire that she shower us with the graces He merited by His sufferings and death on the cross. If you want these graces, then you better ask her for them.

If you ignore this concept of "To Jesus through Mary", you are only making things harder for yourself and allowing the devil to put roadblocks in your path to holiness.

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Top Ten

Top Ten New Year Resolutions

These are simply suggestions. Don't try to tackle all of them. And if you are already doing many or all these things, you are surely on your way to a happier, more peaceful and holier life.

10. Pray Grace Before Meals

9. Pray the Morning Offering daily

8. Perform an Examination of Conscience and pray an Act of Contrition every night before bed

7. Begin daily spiritual readings

6. Read the Scriptures daily

5. Go to Confession once a month

4. Do the 5 first Saturday devotions as requested by Our Lady at Fatima

3. Do the 9 first Friday devotions as requested by Our Lord to St. Mary Margaret Alacoque

2. Attend daily Mass

1. Pray the Rosary everyday!

How To Guide

How To Deepen Your Spiritual Life During The New Year

If you incorporate any number of the above Top Ten, you will be greatly deepening your spiritual life in 2010.

Many people do not pray before meals. Adopting this habit gets you thanking God at least three times a day. If you already are in the habit, slow down and make sure you are really meaning the worlds you are praying. Also add the Grace After Meals prayer. This is a good way to end a meal. It also indicates to small children that they can be 'scused'.

Adopting the habit of Grace Before and After Meals totals six additional prayers per day. That is sure to deepen your spiritual life.

Praying the Morning Offering every morning is much more significant that is may seem. Not only is it giving the first moments of your day to God in prayer, it is setting up your entire day to be a prayer. Everything you do from that point becomes a prayer of thanksgiving and reparation to God for in it you offer to Him all your "prayers, joys and sufferings of this day."

It is hard to remember the sins you commit and even more so to work on your faults if you are not doing a nightly examination of conscience. This is an easy habit to adopt. When you are ready for bed, go through the Ten Commandments. Most days there will be no serious sins, but you may discover that you are offending God in little ways. Using the Ten Commandments as your guide, try to think of the things you did or didn't do that may have offended God. Then say a good Act of Contrition and ask the Blessed Mother to send you all the graces you need to avoid these sins in the future. And she will.

Read the lives of the saints. The church has held them up for us to imitate. They lived holy lives marked by heroic virtue and they experienced all the trials and tribulations you are experiencing.

Choose your spiritual reading carefully. Make sure the book bears the Imprimatur and a Nihil Obstat of a Catholic bishop saying there is nothing contained in it that is contrary to the Catholic Faith. This is of the utmost importance. There are many New Age spirituality books out there and these are NOT good for your soul. Excellent spiritual readings are suggested in the Books and Spiritual Reading section of the Resources in this Newsletter.

Besides spiritual reading, perhaps you will adopt the habit of reading the Scripture daily. This would be the perfect companion to your Rosary. The benefits of reading the Scriptures are huge. I would suggest getting a good Catholic Scripture Guide to go along with your daily Scripture reading and would suggest the beautiful and authentic Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible. Both can be found in the Resources Section.

Going to the Sacrament of Penance or Confession once a month goes along with several other suggestions for deepening your spiritual life. It goes hand in hand with the nightly examination of conscience that has already been discussed as well as the first five Saturdays devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and nine first Fridays devotions to the Sacred Heart. There are two excellent books that discuss these two devotions in their entirety that are listed in the Resources Section.

As for a monthly Confession, it is important to note that whenever you fall into mortal sin, deadly sin that kills God's life in your soul, you must go to Confession as soon as possible. But Confession is also a means of receiving many, many graces. So even if you're soul is not dead in mortal sin, going to Confession is the best way to receive grace second to receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist of course. When you confess your sins, you receive absolution and the grace to avoid those sins in the future. Who wouldn't benefit from going once a month?

Another sure way to receive all the graces necessary for you to attain holiness is to be a daily Communicant. If you are at all able, go to daily Mass. When you receive the Holy Eucharist, you receive Jesus. This is a sure way to deepen your spiritual life.

And don't forget to pray the Rosary everyday during the New Year!

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Calendar Of Upcoming Feast Days

Epiphany of the Lord - January 6th

The Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany is usually celebrated on the Sunday closest to January 6th.

There are many traditions observed on this day, but I would like to mention the blessing of homes. Above the main doorway written with blessed chalk (blessed by a priest for this purpose) is written the inscription 20+C+M+B+10, C+M+B stand for the initials of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar or it can also stand for Christus Mansionem Benedicat which means "May Christ bless the house”. The numbers 20 10 stands for the year. By having your house blessed by a priest and by writing this inscription above the doorway, your family is asking for the blessings of Jesus through the intercession of the Three Wise Men throughout the upcoming year.

Baptism of Our Lord - January 10th

The First Luminous Mystery

Presentation of Jesus - February 2nd

The Fourth Joyful Mystery

Resources

• Sterling Silver Rosary
• Genuine Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Rosary
• Unique Miraculous Medal Rosary Bracelet

Books And Spiritual Reading

• The Twelve Days of Christmas - A Secret Song of Faith - Uncover the Catholic truths hidden in the familiar carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas". While the words to this traditional Christmas song have been known for hundreds of years, not many are aware of the multi-layered meanings behind the characters that populate its lyrics.

  What do three French hens, five golden rings, and ten leaping Lords in this song have to do with Catholic symbolism? There is a school of thought that believes this song was written as a guide for Catholics in England at a time when they were not allowed to practice their faith. It was supposedly used to pass on the truths of their faith and to reinforce for them the real reason for the joy of the season.

• The Story of a Soul - better known to the English public as The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, was first published in 1899. Today it ranks amongst the greatest Christian spiritual classics and it has been translated into practically every well-known language. Almost every pope since its publication has proposed St. Thérèse’s teaching to the faithful for their imitation—Pius XI declared her the greatest saint of our age and John Paul II made her a Doctor of the Church.

  The Story of a Soul possesses in some degree a characteristic common both to the Gospels and The Imitation of Christ. Men and women open the book, often quite casually, and are caught by the vivid clarity or simple profundity of some sentence in such a way that their lives are completely changed. The style of St. Thérèse is extremely simple and spontaneous, having a charm that is hard to describe, especially when she rises to poetic heights. The final chapter, written for her eldest sister Marie, is simply a childlike outpouring of her heart to Jesus Himself. This spiritual classic will speak gently to your heart.

• Composed when he was a young priest, The Sermons of the Cure of Ars constitutes one of the most powerful Saints' writings in the literature of the Church. Covering a wide range of vital moral and doctrinal issues for the average layman, St. John Vianney probes quickly, incisively and with total candor into the various sins we are prone to commit and that we might make excuses for or cover up with various rationalizations. None of this mental sleight-of-hand escapes the Cure's exposure; therefore, we see sin for what it is, human weakness for what it is, and how we need the Catholic truth to shed light on our hidden faults and God's grace through the Sacraments in order to be truly good.

  Among others, St. John Vianney addresses the following topics: The Duties of Parents, Duties of the Mother, Duties of the Pregnant Woman, Annual Confessions, How Death Will Reveal Thieves, Do you Want to be Happy, The Gift of Every Day, Purity Is Not Known, Be Religious or Be Damned, The Dreadful State of the Lukewarm Soul, Lost Works, Prayer Commands All, Repairing the Wrong Done, Your Prayers Are only an Insult, It Is Necessary to be Converted, You No Longer Control Your Children, The Sewer of Hell, Bad Company, etc., etc.

  No one will read this book without realizing that his own moral subterfuges have been laid bare and that he needs to address the camouflaged sins and weaknesses lying buried in his inmost heart. Though of simple education, the Cure of Ars was one of the most astute minds ever when it comes to moral issues, and the reader will soon realize why over 100,000 people journeyed to Ars every year to see first-hand this incredible Saint!

• Imitation of Mary, Thomas A' Kempis - Excellent companion to The Imitation of Christthat is comprised of writings about Our Lady carefully culled from the works of Thomas à Kempis and set forth in the style of The Imitation of Christ. It offers a splendid way to grow in the imitation of Jesus through the imitation of His holy Mother.

• Imitation of Christ, Thomas A' Kempis - The most popular religious book - after the Bible - ever written, is presented here in its best known English translation: that of the Venerable Richard Challoner (1691 - 1781), Vicar Apostolic of the London district in penal times, and perhaps the greatest English Catholic figure of the eighteenth century.

  A work of spiritual devotion - its purpose is to instruct the soul in Christian perfection with Christ as the Divine Model. It consists of a series of counsels of perfection written in a familiar and even colloquial style, and is divided into four parts/books:

1. Useful Admonitions for a Spiritual Life

2. Admonitions Concerning Interior Things
3. Of Internal Consolation
4. Of the Blessed Sacrament

• A Guide To The Bible by Dr. Antonio Fuentes - The Bible continues to be the outstanding bestseller, and no doubt will maintain that position; but that does not mean that it is read as much as it might be or that people find it easy to read. Often this is due to their not having a good overall grasp of what the Bible is, what it is teaching and what it is not teaching, and how its various books fit together. A Guide to the Bible will help Christians become more familiar with God's revelation and to realize that man is never alone and is never forsaken by God, no matter how much he may have strayed from his way.

• Douay-Rheims Bible - An affordable version.

• Devotion To The Sacred Heart by Fr. John Croiset, S.J. - Appearing in print during the first year after the Saint's death, the book was an instant success and was translated into all the European languages except English. For 13 years it was the primary vehicle for making universally known the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. But then, through a technicality, it was placed on the "Index of Forbidden Books," to go into obscurity until modern times, when the Bishop of Sarajevo (Yugoslavia) discovered this treasure and asked the Sacred Congregation of the index to reexamine it. They did, and approved it without change, thus fulfilling St. Margaret Mary's prophecy that it would become forgotten for a time but then would come to light again.

  This present translation is the first in English of the unabridged book and contains Fr. Croiset's full sketch of the Saint's life, as well as all her prayers in honor of the Sacred Heart, and a complete list of the Promises of the Sacred Heart, which number many more than the famous "12 Promises."

  In all, Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. John Croiset, S.J., rather than a boring book on a dry subject, is the best explanation of the central devotion of the Catholic Church and in the process is a challenge to every Catholic to raise himself to that level of the spiritual life Our Lord expects and requires of him and which alone will enable him to become a great saint.

• Learn more about the First Saturday Devotions to the Mother of God. First Saturday Devotions to Mary: A Handbook by Deacon Roy Barkley - In the course of her six apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal between May 13 and October 13, 1917, Mary repeatedly emphasized the necessity of praying the Rosary daily, of wearing the Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel, and of performing acts of reparation and sacrifice to amend for sin. She also asked that the faithful practice of new devotion on the first Saturday of five consecutive months.

  Among the spiritual exercises attached to this devotion are Confession, recitation of the Rosary with meditation on its mysteries - Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious, attendance at Mass and reception of Holy Communion, along with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and acts of reparation for sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of his mother. This work walks us through each of these elements in order to assist those who practice this devotion to benefit more profitably from the graces that Mary promises would come to the individual and the world as a result.

CD's

• Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis CD

• Rosary of Guadalupe - Join Dana and Msgr. Chávez as they present the first Rosary of Guadalupe, a beautiful rosary incorporating the powerful and timeless message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with music and spoken meditations.

• The Holy Rosary: Mother Angelica and the Nuns - CD - Join Mother Angelica and the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration as they recite the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Taped at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, these Cloistered Nuns lift their hearts in prayer to Our Lord for the intentions of the world. Mother leads each of the decades - an added touch of love to this beautiful devotion. 2 hrs.

DVD's

• The Holy Rosary: Mother Angelica & The Nuns - DVD - Join Mother Angelica and the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration as they recite the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Taped at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, these Cloistered Nuns lift their hearts in prayer to Our Lord for the intentions of the world. Mother leads each of the decades - an added touch of love to this beautiful devotion. 2 hrs.

• Mysteries of the Rosary DVD - "One of the greatest graces of my life was to begin to say the Rosary," says Fr. Jacques Daley, OSB. As his shared personal experience attests, only a return to the Rosary yields a true increase in knowledge and love of Our Lady. Includes the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and the Luminous Mysteries. 4 discs. 10 hrs.

Miscellaneous

• First Day of Christmas Ornament - Hand painted, mouth blown glass, 4 inch tall "egg" shape, annealed glass hook.

• Is your rosary in need of repair? Click here to learn how you can send your rosary in to be repaired.

• Set of 20 small Rosary Posters

Important Links

• Heirloomrosaries.com

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Testimonials

"Love the Rosary, Love your site & love you for what you are doing to promote the rosary!"

Meet This Month's Rosary Promoter!

Who:
Pam Aqui of Heirloomrosaries.com has been making handmade rosary beads since 1992. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, RCIA Coordinator, rosary maker and child of God. She began Heirloom Rosaries in an attempt to create beautiful rosary beads that would be sturdy enough to stand the test of time so as to become true family heirlooms.

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If you would like to be highlighted as the Rosary Promoter of the Month, use the Rosary Promoter Submission page on How-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com and write us asking for a Rosary Promoter application. If you know someone that promotes the Rosary and should be featured as a Rosary promoter, by all means pass this along to them or send us their information and we'll contact them.

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Q&A

Can anyone pray the Rosary? Or only Catholics?
Anyone can and should pray the Rosary. When you pray the Rosary you meditate on the life of Jesus and your knowledge of His life and your relationship with Him will deepen. Anyone who loves Jesus will find strength and peace by meditating on His life. The Rosary will take you on a journey through the joys, teachings, sorrows, and glories of Jesus and His Mother Mary. For this reason many non-Catholics find value in the Rosary prayer.

Are Catholics worshiping Mary when they pray the Rosary?
No. Catholics only worship the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We do not worship Mary or any other creature created by God.

We do however honor Mary. And the Rosary is the best method of honoring Mary and learning about the life of Jesus.

Mary was the handmaid of the Lord and in her humility she would not desire to be honored but through the Rosary Jesus grants His Mother graces to send to her children because she loves them. Mary is our Mother because Jesus is our Brother and God is our Father.

Praying the Rosary creates holiness in those devoted to it through meditating on the Mysteries in Jesus' life.

Studying the life of Jesus enables you to transform your soul to reflect His. Mary is the perfect reflection of Jesus and meditating on her role in His life is of great benefit as well.

As you become familiar with the lives of Jesus and Mary by meditating on the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary you will soon discover how Jesus and Mary's relationship works with each other and how they work in your life.

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What's New

A Glimpse Into February's Newsletter

• Next month's Newsletter - The Presentation Of Our Lord and St. Valentine's Day

• New on the site - Advent pages. Share how you observe Advent from your Advent Wreath to your Jesse Tree.

• Coming soon to How-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com - Rosary Miracle and Prayer Request sections. Please visit to share your Rosary Miracle story and ask for Prayer Requests.

Thank You!

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I hope your New Year is filled with peace and blessings from God.

Holy Mary, Mother of God. Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death!

Queen of All Saints. Pray for us!

To Jesus through Mary,

Kathleen Bowen and The Rosary Team

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