October - the month of the Rosary . . .

October is almost upon us and with it an emphasis on the Holy Rosary. I was trying to think of something new to say about the Rosary but I soon gave that up! After all, why does it have to be something new?

I'm not really up to long theological explanations so I just thought I'd list some of the occasions and places that I find to pray the Rosary. Who knows, it might inspire someone to do likewise.

In church as part of my personal prayer (often said 'on my fingers' rather than on my rosary beads)

In church as part of a communal praying of the Rosary.

In bed before going to sleep.

In bed in the wee small hours of the morning when sleep escapes me.

Out walking.

On the train and on the bus.

Sitting at the computer.

Using the iRosary App on my phone.

So, you see, for me I can pray the Rosary anywhere . . and I do. It's the first prayer I think of when I want to pray for a particular intention.

There are a lot of beautiful videos that can be used for meditation whilst praying too. Here's an example.

Saints, Feast Days etc. . . .

One of the many things that I like about the Catholic Church (a very simplistic way of looking at things, I know) is the wealth of Saints to inspire us.

Today, for example we have the memorial of St Jean-Marie Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests.

I often hear people saying things like, 'oh, so-and-so is one my favourite saints' or 'I have a special devotion to St so-and-so'. I just wouldn't be able to choose a few out of the many. It seems to me that quite often when we are celebrating a particular Saint's feast day, that particular saint has something special to say to me.

How fortunate for me that today's feast falls on a Wednesday. This is my day off and I usually manage to get to morning Mass in a church where there is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass and a brief period of Adoration finishing with Benediction. Probably only about 15 minutes in total but what a special 15 minutes that is. A privileged time to spend with Our Lord in prayer. Coincidentally, it's also just about the time it takes me to pray five decades of the Rosary so today I was able to pray for all parish priests, remembering especially those known to me.

Funny how these things seem to work out, isn't it?

'But you," he said, "who do you say I am? . . . '

Like many homes, I expect, we have certain areas where you'll find a collection of prayer cards and other similar 'holy cards' tucked behind picture frames or other suitable resting places, maybe next to a Palm Cross.

When we had our old kitchen ripped out to make way for our splendid new one, I naturally had to take down everything on the walls beforehand.

I'm only just getting around to sorting out the various pictures and other things that adorned the walls and deciding which if any of them will be allowed to grace the newly-painted walls.

In amongst the prayer cards was a yellowing scrap of paper cut out of an old newspaper (I can't remember which one now, it was quite some time ago).

This always makes me smile which is why I've kept it. This is what is says:

Jesus said to them: "Who do you say that I am?"

And they replied: "You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the kerygma of which we find the ultimate meaning in our interpersonal relationships."

And Jesus said: "What?"

Reasons for my absence - #1

Man of Sorrows . . .

Man of sorrows, wrapt in grief,

Bow your ear to our relief;

You for us the path have trod

Of the dreadful wrath of God;

You the cup of fire have drained

Till its light alone remained.

Lamb of love our comfort be:

Hear our mournful litany.

By the garden filled with woe,

Where to rest you oft would go;

By your agony of prayer

In the desolation there;

By the dire and deep distress

More than human mind can guess,

Lord, our grief in mercy see:

Hear our fervent litany.

By that bitter cup of pain,

When your strength began to wane;

By those lips which once did pray

That it might but pass away;

By the heart that drank it dry

Lest the human race should die,

In your pity grant our plea,

Hear our solemn litany.

Man of sorrows, let your grief

Purchase for us our relief;

Lord of mercy, bow your ear,

Slow to anger, swift to hear:

By the cross's royal road,

Lead us to the throne of God,

There to sing triumphantly

Heaven's glorious litany.

(Matthew Bridges)

I love this hymn that we've just begun praying at Morning Prayer this week. Like many hymns, it can be used as a very good meditation. I just thought I'd share it with you.

The Angelus ...

I was looking for something related to the Angelus when I came across this beautiful video on the fisheaters website. I hope you like it. This is especially for Mary.