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Text Box: TOP of page Text Box: BACK TO ST THOMAS Text Box: ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH Text Box: Text Box: PRAY THE ROSARY WITH US For several years a group of St. Thomas parishioners and other area Catholics has gathered on Wednesday evening to pray the rosary (from the Latin meaning “rose garden”), the ancient Marian prayer that many are familiar with. This is an invitation to to make it a more important part of your prayer life. The rosary (from the Latin, rosarium, meaning “rose garden”), consists of repeated sequences of the Lord’s Prayer followed by ten prayings of the Hail Mary and a single praying of the Glory Be to the Father. Each sequence is called a “decade”. The praying of each decade is accompanied by a meditation on one of the mysteries of the rosary, which relate to events in the life of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. A variation on this is the scriptural rosary, which includes the reading of brief passages from the Bible that relate to each mystery. Popes and theologians of the Faith have stressed the importance, power, and beauty of the rosary. Recently Pope Benedict noted that the rosary is experiencing a rebirth. “It is one of the most eloquent signs of love that the younger generation nourish for Jesus and his Mother,” he said. Many theologians have stressed that the rosary is a “vital way to participate in the life of Mary and to find the way to Christ” How the rosary can heal and energize our souls is summarized by the story of the little old lady who was asked why she prayed the Rosary. Her answer: “It’s very simple. What son can ignore the request of his mother? How can Jesus not grant the prayer from a mother who once told him simply that a wedding party had run out of wine ? He provided the “best” wine for the party. So I pray to the mother to ask the son for more “wine” in my spiritual life. When she listens to me, I know He hears!” The rosary can be said privately but it becomes even more spiritually powerful when recited by a group of the faithful. This is what those who gather on Wednesday evening are seeking. Whether you are new to the rosary or regularly pray it privately, we ask that you consider joining them. The group meets each WEDNESDAY at 7:00pM. in the CHAPEl DEACON FRANK