Why pray? | Celebrating family life
Download or view these beautiful reflections to host a very special Mother’s Day Family Rosary Prayer.
The priests serving here at the Father Peyton Center want to extend our greetings and offer our prayers for all mothers this Mother’s Day with a gift of 50 Beads for Our Mothers, the Glorious Mysteries of the Family Rosary.
Pray together as a family at home, outside with social distancing or online. Simply forward the document to everyone ahead of time so they can follow along. (There are helpful notes throughout the document for families new to Rosary prayer.)
Instead of store-bought greeting cards, children and adults will be making and drawing personal greetings some with words as simple as “mom I love you,” and other with graphics and poetic verse.
Some of these greetings will be fixed to a window or glass door prevented from being hand delivered because of fears engendered by the pandemic. In some instances, a son or daughter’s hand will be placed on the glass and mother’s hand will be joined to it on the other side. Tears and smiles will communicate the depth of love that each has for one another.
Our humble gift to mothers, mothers-to-be and our deceased mothers will be our Rosary prayer as we meditate on The Resurrection, The Ascension of Our Lord, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of Our Lady into Heave and The Coronation of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
As you begin the Rosary, hold the crucifix in your hands as you make the sign of the cross and pray together the Apostles’ Creed - it’s a brief but thorough summary of what we believe. Then begin the introductory prayers as you move up the short straight string of beads.
At the circle of beads, move counterclockwise to begin the reflections followed by decades of prayer (meaning ‘ten,’ referring to the Hail Marys.)
Listen to each reflection. It relates to both a story of Jesus in the bible and to a story from this present time, in our own family, doesn’t it?
After each reflection, you’ll start to relax with the rhythm and repetition of those familiar childhood prayers. You’ll feel comforted by the sound of loved-one’s prayer all around you. You’ll start to feel the power and promise of Rosary prayer.
During this meditative time your thoughts may wander back to the reflection you just heard. How can that story of Jesus strengthen and guide us today? What lessons are in that story for you? What is Jesus trying to tell you right now?
Conclude the Rosary with the Hail Holy Queen and, as you began, with the Sign of the Cross. The entire Rosary will take a family approximately 20 - 25 minutes to complete at a comfortable pace. What a special gift for your mother and family!
For those new to Rosary prayer, there are helpful notes throughout the document and some resources below. Remember, it’s your prayer. Enjoy the experience. Don’t feel overwhelmed thinking you have to make it perfect.
The priests serving here at the Father Peyton Center would love to hear from you about your experience!
Please write to them in the space below.
- To join our Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live from the Father Peyton Center, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) If you can't make it live, please stop back later and we'll save it there for you.