First Saturday Parish Rosary at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 10/3/2015

   

Two photos spanning five years:

Left, the very first First Saturday Rosary

from October 2010... and, Right, a photo taken

at this afternoon's monthly prayer meeting.

(Our Lady hasn't aged a bit!)

I was looking forward to this month.  October is very, very special to me.  Not only is this the month of the Holy Rosary, which I have a tremendous devotion for, and which this ministry strives to promote... but this month's prayer meeting also marked the 5th Anniversary of our First Saturday Rosary Devotion at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua.  Yes, five years have quickly gone by and I am happy to report that our monthly devotion is still going strong!  Our Blessed Mother continues to bless our participants, along with the dozens of Saints/Blesseds whose inspiring lives have been featured during our prayer meeting.  Praises be to God!

The captivating smile of a holy woman.

... and speaking of the Saints, this month I shared about the Martyr, Bl. Maria Restituta Kafka (d. 1943, Left Photo).  This valiant, holy woman was a nursing nun who ministered to the sick with an infectious joy that lit up her features.  Her life of service was cut short by the Nazis when she was executed by them because of her vocal opposition to Hitler and his regime, and her refusal to betray her sacred vocation as a Bride of Christ.  The example of Bl. Maria Restituta's heroism is truly an inspiration for our times; encouragement for each of us to face the opponents of our Christian Faith with courage, joy, and forgiveness.  You can read more about this blessed female Martyr here.

Lastly, our Blessed Mother, herself, must have considered today's prayer meeting anniversary as something to be celebrated, too - fine flakes of silver escarchas appeared on the base and right foot of my Rosa Mystica statue that was displayed in the front of the Day Chapel; perhaps meant as a small sign of her spiritual presence during our prayer meeting.  I wasn't expecting it, but what an extra-special gift from Our Lady for an extra-special prayer meeting!

The next First Saturday Rosary for Peace will be prayed on November 7th, beginning at 4:25pm, in the Day Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Kailua.  As always, all are welcomed to participate...