Today's Memorial: Our Lady of the Rosary

An Old Woman with a Rosary, by Paul Cézanne

Just about every Catholic has at least one "rosary story" to tell. My own favorite is about Daddy and his rosary. His mother gave it to him when he was seven years old and made his First Holy Communion. Grandma Annie had had engraved on the back of the cross the date of this special occasion. When Daddy died at the age of 81, the date was almost completely worn off and the Body of Christ had been smoothed down into a barely perceptible rising on the cross. Daddy's lifelong, passionate devotion to our Blessed Mother was fueled by his great love for our Lord Jesus Christ. One of my dearest memories of Daddy is of him sitting in Grandma Annie's rocking chair while praying his rosary. I don't remember much of what Daddy told me about Mary, mainly because he was a man of few words. He didn't need to say much, though, because his life of deep faith spoke volumes. From him I learned everything I needed to about Christ's great gift to us of His Mother Mary.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.