7 Oct Sat Our Lady of the Rosary Acts 1:12-14 (R. Ps.) Lk. 1:46-55 Lk. 1:26-38 How To Pray With Shalom Home Page of Shalom Index of This Month        This feast began to be celebrated after the battle of Lepanto (1571). It is not so much the glorification of a "holy war" as a celebration of the providence of God who continues to care for His people, and who has given us forms of prayer suited to our needs. By listening to our prayers made through her intercession, He has encouraged us to pay devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. When we pray the Rosary with her, we re- live the mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of her Son, keeping them in our hearts, reflecting on them and making them the reference point for our lives.     Let us slowly read the words of Angel Gabriel. "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you. ... And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus." (Lk. 1:28, 31).     Today we thank God for these words which are part of our prayer "Hail Mary." We also thank God for this gift of the Rosary. Let us ask Him to continue to bless us as we pray it.      Holy Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. DAILY OFFERING Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen. PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH INTENTION That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families MORE
- END - P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H     INTENTION : That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families The testimony and help that parents and other families must offer to sustain young married couples finds its place in the ambit of post-matrimonial pastoral care. Parents and other families are the most suited to offer this assistance to young spouses because clearly they have lived personally the values which they must transmit. These parents show faithfulness through living in the best possible way the commitments assumed during their marriage. One could ask, but why is it necessary for young couples to be sustained by the testimony of their parents and other families? The answer is, because today there are many negative attitudes which scandalise and discourage young people. Being new to the condition of matrimonial life they need advice, encouragement, moral support, correction and prayer. They cannot be left alone or abandoned in this phase of their lives. Couples need to take advantage of the wealth of the experience and wisdom of their parents. "The pastoral action of the Church must be progressive, also in the sense that it must accompany the family, following it step by step in the various stages of its formation and development," (Familiaris Consortio n65, 69). - END -