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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
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I have read about a blackout that took place on July 13, 1977 and it affected most of New York City. It was triggered when a lightning strike hit a substation near the Hudson River, initiating a cascade of failures in the power grid. The blackout lasted more than 24 hours in many places, with full restoration stretching into the next day. What makes this blackout unique in memory is that, because the moon was only a thin crescent that night, the skies were unusually dark. That allowed even city dwellers, under heavy light pollution, to see deep-sky objects, Stars, constellations, and those who had access to a telescope they could see the Milky Way and other celestial details which were rarely visible from midtown Manhattan otherwise.
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Catholic Motherhood | catholic family life | praying the Rosary
Catholic Mom contributor Liesl Schiavone reflects on the brokenness of our world and how mothers can proceed. It’s no secret that the events of the last few weeks have left people rattled, restless, and frustrated. We’re desperately trying to make sense of this profoundly broken world. The news feels like an endless cycle of tragedy — another day, another tragedy, another reminder of suffering. Indeed, we’ve all had a lot of thoughts swirling through our minds. How did we get here? How can we mend the brokenness? How can we heal? As a mother, I want to ensure that this rot and decay never touch the lives of my children. I want to be able to tell them that they’ll always be safe, free, and valued. That courage is admirable, but they won’t need it. But God never promised us that kind of assurance. No, He said: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” (John 15:18)
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Catholic Motherhood | My Rosary Story | peace | pray the rosary
When a friend suggested adding the Rosary to her day, Laura Vazquez Santos found a spiritual lifeline. My mornings used to begin with noise (well, they kind of still do, but the ensuing panic that normally followed has since been calmed). It was not just the noise of children — though that was part of it — but the noise of worry, to-do lists, and self-criticism. I’d scroll through my phone, gulp down coffee, and start the day already anxious. Then a friend challenged me to pray the Rosary daily. “I don’t have time,” I laughed (and, I admit at this time, I wasn’t fostering time in prayer or my faith as seriously as I should have). But something about her calm, peaceful demeanor stuck with me. I thought to myself ... well, I guess I have already tried mindfulness practices and other ‘techniques’ to keep my anxiety at bay before, so why not prayer?
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Family Rosary | praying the Rosary | rosary beads
Catholic Mom contributor, AnneMarie Miller, shares about the Rosary rut she was in recently, and how God has been helping her learn and grow.
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My Rosary Story | catholic family life | pray the rosary | road trip
When her family is trapped together for hours on end during road trips, Maria Riley uses the time to pray together. We are a family of six with no family living in the same state as us, which means we are a road-tripping family! Every year, we take at least two road trips, and sometimes more, depending on holiday schedules. Visiting extended family is a priority, and driving is the most affordable way to do so. Each day we spend in the car traversing this beautiful country is not complete until we’ve prayed a Rosary.
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Catholic Family Fun | baking | family prayer | praying the Rosary
Catholic Mom contributor, Laurie Schmitt, shares a recipe for "Rosary Bread" and ponders how the bread-baking process is similar to our prayer life. Ciabatta bread, fresh from the oven, is one of my family’s favorite foods. It transforms an average meal into a feast, especially when served with a small plate of olive oil and shredded parmesan, and, of course, a glass of wine. I wish I could remember where I found this recipe. The ingredients are ordinary ones, the rise times are fairly typical, but perhaps the biggest trick is in the kneading, which takes a total of fifteen minutes. We’ve nicknamed this recipe "Rosary Bread," for this reason. While the kitchen mixer is busy kneading the dough, there’s plenty of time to recollect your thoughts, to pray about what’s on your mind and heart, and yes, to slip a Rosary into the mix. (Not literally, of course.) The essential steps to most any bread making are easy enough, but today I'm seeing a connection between the wholesomeness of homemade bread, and the holiness of a domestic soul.
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