Dear Disciples of Christ at Holy Spirit, St. Helen’s, and St. Mary’s,

October 7th is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary which gives October its monthlong dedication to the Rosary. October is also Respect Life Month. Offering a Rosary for the Respect of Life is a beautiful way to honor both the Rosary and Respect of Life. Pope Leo has asked that we also offer our Rosaries for Peace this October.

I believe my first rosary was a big, chunky thing with brightly colored wooden beads. If memory serves me correct, it was a gift from my maternal Grandmother. Today, I have quite the collection of Rosaries. Wooden beads, glass beads, beads made from pressed rose petals, metal beads… Recently, I have been trying my had at making rosaries using wooden beads and knotwork.

At the end of his audience on September 24th, Pope Leo noted that October was approaching and that with the Oct. 7 feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Catholic Church traditionally dedicates the whole month to praying the rosary.

“I invite everyone to pray the rosary everyday during the coming month–for peace–personally, with your families, and in your communities,” he said.

We are called to be signs of hope to all people, especially those whose goodness, value, and dignity are undermined. A members of the Body of Christ, we carry this hope with us as we continue Jesus’ mission on earth…We have been entrusted with a message of hope for the women who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant or the man diagnosed with a terminal disease… We must bring God’s presence, love, and hope in those hearts” USCCB Pro Life.

Love, Fr. Ian