A Meaningful Prayer

After sharing my conversion story, I thought it would be good to add a post on why the rosary and Our Blessed Mother is so foundational to my experience (yet, I reckon, for most of us, She is).

Keep in mind what I have been learning from Father Jude at our parish retreat talks he's been blessing us with. His talks are the catalyst for my sharing some of my stories. The kicker for me is when he's said, and repeated, "Remember: we are all broken." I like to add: we can all be fixed by obeying our Mother in doing "whatever He says."

During the time I lived in Georgia and I fancied myself a Christian, I ripped apart and threw away all but two of the rosaries in our home - like a coward - in secret, while my husband was overseas. The two I left untouched? The Knights of Columbus one he kept in his pocket (for which I chided him relentlessly - why carry it if you don't pray it or go to church? Oh, I was mean!), and, the one in his keepsake box (I am guessing his grandparents gave it to him or something - I couldn't be sure of anything about it but that it predated ME so I left it alone). Some of you may have read or heard Scott Hahn's conversion story (now, there's a story!!!) and how he had ripped apart his grandmother's rosary. Remember how bad he felt later when he realized what he had done?

When I was reconciled to the Church, I kept getting nudges here and there from Our Lady. I started to feel convicted in no small way. About that time, I met Dawn (a Catholic blogging sista - check her out at http://ahelpinghand2.blogspot.com/ ). Dawn was instrumental in helping me learn about many of our Church's rich Traditions, Adoration, Holy Hours, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, among many things. She has told me she has learned so much about the Blessed Mother from me, but I tell you today: I have learned about Our Mother from her. Dawn has continued to be a HUGE inspiration to me and has continued to be so patient and forgiving of my utter stupidity! Yes, I'm stupid some of the time, the rest of the time I'm a horses backside with all my joking around! Yes, and she even puts up with that!

I started to pray the rosary . . . a little at a time. Our Lady introduced me to St. Louis deMontfort . . . I have consecrated myself to Jesus through Mary four years ago and I pray the rosary almost every day (honest, I try my best to).

One of the reparations I make from the sorrow - and yet, great joy! - to Our Lady is to make rosaries for the missions (mind, I'm slow and it takes me forever to get enough made to send), for our chapel needs, for friends, for family; and, I have mended a few broken ones, too. I find this task enjoyable to the core of my very being, for within doing this task, a small thing really, I am doing a great service of great love and devotion to my Mother.

Ave Maria!