First Saturday Parish Rosary at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 2/6/2016

My Rosa Mystica pilgrim statue on
display in the parish's Day Chapel.

My Rosa Mystica pilgrim statue did it again.  By that, I mean that once again, while we were praying, its face became soft and dewy, taking on a beautiful life-like appearance. Me and the other regular participants usually notice this remarkable transformation (if it occurs at all) beginning sometime during the prayers of the 3rd Mystery. We take it as a special confirmation that Our Lady is present with us through the statue; a promise she made to her devotees, via a series of alleged private revelations to the Marian visionary, Pierina Gilli (read about the Rosa Mystica Devotion here).

Anyhow, this month's First Saturday Rosary for Peace was a preparation for Lent, which is right around the corner, beginning on Wednesday, February 10th.  The Saint I shared about was St. Catherine de' Ricci, who was also the featured Saint of the Month on my blog.  I thought narrating her life to our participants would be relevant at this time because she was an individual who lived and "prayed" the sufferings of Christ in a powerful manner, resulting in a richer, deeper personal relationship with our Lord; something that we could all strive for during every season of Lent.  We then prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries, which is always very moving.  Again, appropriate preparations.

After the Rosary Prayer ended, a couple of parishioners stayed behind to request special prayers for health issues they were going through. So a small group of us regulars prayed over them, while each held a 2nd Class [veil] Relic of St. Catherine de' Ricci that I had brought to today's meeting for public veneration (right photo). The second lady, who had nerve and muscle pain in her head, stated that she felt immediate relief after we prayed - what a blessing!  Our Saints are so helpful to us, via their power of intercession, and I only wish more Catholics today were truly cognizant of that fact... and prayed more to the Saints.

The next First Saturday Rosary at St. Anthony of Padua Church will be prayed on Saturday, March 5th, beginning at 4:25pm.  All are welcomed to join us in the Day Chapel to help intercede for World Peace and to seek the special help of Our Lady and the Saints, via the Holy Rosary and the Sacred Relics that are always present each month.  Come, and be blessed...