Dear Friends of Saint Ann’s Shrine,
October is dedicated to honoring Mary as Our Lady of the Rosary. But not surprisingly, Mary never prayed the Rosary as we know it today, she rather lived the joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious events of her divine son’s life, walking beside him, with her mind and heart ever joined to His…they were a team! Yes, Catholics honor Mary a lot with statues, paintings, medals, prayers, and the Rosary – however, we only honor Mary, while we always worship and adore her divine son Jesus.
The history of the Rosary is unclear and its structure evolved gradually between the 12th-15th century. Saint Dominic is said to have devised the components to facilitate the teaching of the life of Christ, from his birth, public ministry, to his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension to his Father’s side in heaven. So the main focus of the Rosary is not the repetition of fifty Hail Mary’s but the recalling and meditating on these events that won our salvation in Christ. So as always, Mary is a teammate of her Son pointing him out to everyone as the Savior of the world, and she is but His handmaid.
Pope Pius XI some years ago said: the Rosary is a powerful weapon to keep yourself free of sin, to foster Peace in your heart and home and country. Recently Pope Francis urged Catholics to carry the Rosary in our purse or pocket and to pray it…whenever you find yourself forced to wait for an appointment, stand in line while shopping, etc. Don’t waste that time…pray the Rosary…say the words of Mary while thinking of the life of Jesus.
Here at the Shrine of Saint Ann, the mother of Mary, we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in our daily Eucharist and the welcoming of Jesus into our lives through Holy Communion and we pray that all of you come to know and love Jesus all the more every time you pray the Rosary.
Yours in Good Saint Ann,
Father Roger Bourgeois, SSS, Chaplain
*We are happy to announce that we have a new website! We invite you to check us out at www.st-ann-shrine.org and let us know what you think! We are using a new company, called WeShare, to process our on-line donations. They are a secure and reputable company whom we look forward to working with. Contact Scott Gongos at 440-449-2700 or sgongos@blessedsacrament.com if you have any suggestions or questions about our new website.
*We invite you and your group to join us at Saint Ann’s Shrine for Daily Mass at 11:30AM, Monday-Friday (call for Holidays).
*The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament offers a daily devotion/reflection. If you’d like to receive this uplifting message, send an email to cee@blessedsacrament.com.
*Your loved ones can be remembered during Mass at Saint Ann’s Shrine. Call 440-449-2700 for details.
*Our Blessed Sacrament religious in Bethany and at Regina Health Center pray for you daily. Please let us know of any special intentions you’d like us to remember. The Blessed Sacrament Community supports you in prayer and Eucharist. You can submit your prayer though our website and request a candle to be lit for your special intentions at st-ann-shrine.org.
*We have Blessed Oil and Holy Water available for a donation. Contact Saint Ann Shrine at 440-449-2700 or visit our website at st-ann-shrine.org.
*If you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you can support Saint Ann’s Shrine or the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament through distributions from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Your IRA Charitable Rollover Gift may satisfy your annual required minimum distribution and reduce your taxable income. Consult your financial advisor for the most advantageous opportunities for you.
