First Saturday Parish Rosary at St. Anthony's Church, 10/6/2012

 

This evening’s First Saturday Rosary was special for several reasons… first of all, it was the 2nd Year Anniversary of our parish’s Marian devotion. As one of the people who was originally involved in starting up this monthly prayer gathering at St. Anthony’s Church, it was highly meaningful for me because I never thought it would’ve lasted this long… but I’m glad it did, as it has truly been a blessing for all of us who regularly participate.

 

Secondly, there was a touching incident that happened in regards to the relic that was displayed at today’s gathering. I shared about the life of Bl. Isidore de Loor, whose Memorial was celebrated today, and presented a 1st Class Relic from his bones for our participants to venerate before the prayer began. I explained that Bl. Isidore was somewhat an ‘unofficial’ Patron Saint of cancer patients because he had suffered and died from the disease, and there were many reported cancer cures at his tomb. After the Rosary ended, a couple approached the display altar and they seemed to be pay special attention to the relic of Bl. Isidore; the wife even encouraged her husband to touch the reliquary, which he timidly did by gently tapping once on its glass cover.

 

Reading the concern in the wife’s promptings, I asked the man if he was in need of a special grace and he candidly shared that he had cancer. My heart went out to the couple so I took the large reliquary and placed it the man's hands and asked him if it was OK for us to pray with him to Bl. Isidore de Loor. The man agreed and a small group of us gathered around and prayed to God for the grace of healing through the intercession of the Passionist Blessed. It was all so moving and powerful… and a sense of “lightness” seemed to descend upon us after we were done praying for our fellow parishioner. I can only hope, and continue to pray, that all will end up well - God bless him.

 

Our Lady's Veil Relic and a 1st Class [bone] Relic of Bl. Isidore de Loor

as displayed during this month's First Saturday Rosary for Peace.

 

Lastly, we had the joy of seeing two new faces in the pews at this month’s gathering, which is always a welcomed sight! One of the “newbies” - an usher in our parish - later shared with me how much he enjoyed the format of our prayer meeting, and that we’d be seeing him again at a future First Saturday Rosary.  So hopefully, with Our Lady’s help, we can continue to gather for another two years and perhaps see many more new faces in our Day Chapel.

 

The next First Saturday Rosary for Peace will be prayed on Saturday, 11/3, beginning at 4:25pm - all are welcomed to participate.