October, the Month of the Rosary

By Mattie (www.catholicmarriageprep.com)
This month Holy Mother Church teaches us the importance of Mary mediatrix through the beautiful prayer of the Holy Rosary.

The Virgin Mary with Apple Tree by Bradi Barth

The Holy Rosary was given to St Dominic by Our Lady herself in 1206, while he was combating the Albigensian Heresy in Southern France. She gave him this "mighty weapon" and explained to him its uses and efficacy. Since then it has been one of our Faith most treasured sacramental (a sacramental is an action or object of ecclesiastical origin that serves to express or increase devotion).

Actually when we ask our engaged couples what is a sacred sign in their life, a great majority says that it is a rosary given by their Grandmother. So when I become a Grandmother I need to remember to stock up on rosaries to give to my grand kids :)

If you are not in the habit of saying a daily rosary now is a great time to get started! Yes, it is hard but look through your day, it only takes 20 minutes. Maybe during your commute? Or before turning on the TV?

As a family we have been saying it right after lunch, while we are all in "limbo", done with lunch but have not started our afternoon yet. It works wonderfully! I actually don't fall asleep! It's great!

How to keep the little ones reverent during the rosary? Well, that's a tough one, if you have a fail proof answer let me know please :)

First they have to be involved, let them lead the decades, have a rosary book for them to look at (we use this one. It works great, it also has a poster that goes with it and I bought 2 of them, one to make matching cards for the children to put on each mystery as we pray that decade.

Now what great friends are we going to celebrate with this month?

- October 1st: St. Therese of Lisieux

Since St. Therese promised to spend her time in Heaven sending shower of roses on earth we take her to her word. Every year on her feast day we write her a letter with our petitions to be presented to her Divine Spouse. You will be amazed at the answers when you re-read your letter next year! She is an amazing intercessor! Very efficient if you are having a hard time conceiving or know people who are struggling with infertility ;)

A St. Therese "Shower of Roses" Tea Party.

- October 2nd: Guardian Angels

The best present you can give your Guardian Angels is to receive Holy Communion in their name on their feast day.

How about some Angel Food Cake? My second sister, Marion, is turning 29 on that day!:)

St. Francis of Assisi

- October 4th: St. Francis of Assisi

Many parishes hold a pet blessing on the feast of this special friend of animals, check out your parish's website.

- October 5th: St. Faustina Kowalska

Pray a Divine Mercy chaplet a 3:00pm today.

- October 11th: my baby sister turns 18!
 and Moses and I are interviewed live on Life On The Rock, 8:00 pm (MTN time), at EWTN for CatholicMarriagePrep.com 
Also on October 11, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI will open the Year of Faith. During this Year of Faith every Catholic is invited to a deepening in faith through prayer, study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, and renewed participation in the sacramental life of the Church.

- October 15th: St. Teresa of Avila

Another wonderful Carmelite. In her honor we love to have ice cream with caramel (if I'm on top of my game I will even make some homemade caramel, which is truly best if made with slated butter.)

- October 16th: St. Marguerite Marie Alacoque

Great time to renew your consecration to the Sacred Heart

- October 18th: St. Luke 

- October 19th: St. Isaac Jogues, St. Jean de Brebeuf, and Companions

- October 21st: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha! The lily of the Mohawk will be canonized this year on this day! The first Native American saint!

Throw a party! A real pow-wow is needed for this one!

Kateri Tekakwitha

Busy, busy month! In so many very happy ways!

God bless all of you!