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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Catholic Faith | family prayer | pray the rosary
Several years ago, my mom found herself in a precarious situation. Financial struggles and the complexities of her ordeal made her problems seem insurmountable. Her mental health—and her very future—hung in the balance, and I did everything I could to help. At the same time, my wife and I were new parents, and the weight of trying to pull my mom out of her difficulties threatened to pull my marriage down with it. I felt trapped, as if caught between Scylla and Charybdis—every path forward seemed to lead to disaster. I was treading water, searching for something—anything—to hold onto, even just a tiny glimmer of hope. And that consoling presence I longed for? It was nowhere to be found. I remember sitting in my mom’s living room one evening, anxiety pressing down on me. I worried about her. About myself. About my wife and our child. Then, as if something deep within me was praying through me, I began murmuring the Hail Mary. Over and over, I whispered: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee… My thought—or maybe my hope—was that another mother might step in to help us. Without even realizing it, my mind had slipped into a practice I had learned as a child in Catholic school—the Rosary. That night, as I whispered each prayer, I asked for a miracle. And do you know what happened?
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Blessed Virgin Mary | Catholic Faith | praying the Rosary
Saint Louis de Montfort highlights ten imitation-worthy virtues of Our Blessed Mother in his writing True Devotion to Mary. Some of these virtues we may recognize in ourselves; others offer us an opportunity to grow in awareness and holiness. Let us examine each virtue and contemplate how to integrate these vital principles into our lives.
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Advent | Catholic Faith | Grandpa's Garden | catholic family life
It’s interesting how often we follow routines around holidays and holy days. Families have traditional ways of decorating, menus for shared meals, and seating arrangements. There is something comforting about the ways we have come to celebrate important events together. Yet, with any celebration, change is in the air. I don’t think things are ever “the same” year to year, celebration to celebration, or day to day. It might seem that way, but we constantly change, we grow, history unfolds, our children grow up, they bring their families to gatherings, and so on. God’s Spirit fills the earth, gives life, and embraces our hearts with the life-changing grace of His presence.
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Advent | Catholic Faith | Grandpa's Garden | catholic family life
Each morning in the predawn, I accompany our dog into the yard. The neighborhood is quiet, and I encourage our pup to keep it that way. He has a way of letting out a woof when surprised by something he’s not familiar with. On a clear morning, there is a deep orange glow on the horizon, promising the coming sunrise. These past mornings, the frost on the grass glistened in the porch light. It is a tranquil time on the edge of darkness and light.
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Catholic Faith | Grandpa's Garden | Thanksgiving | catholic family life
Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees in this autumnal region. It’s easier to see the sky, the stars at night, the distant woodland, and to feel the sun’s waning warmth. Seasonal changes draw us into life’s evolving rhythms, schemes of color, and declining daylight hours. We adjust our perspective on the ever-changing natural world.
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Catholic Faith | Grandpa's Garden | catholic family life
In November, we traditionally recall those who have gone before us to eternal life. It is a time of enduring hope and can also be mixed with some sadness as we miss those people we loved so deeply. I remember years ago giving the news of our parents’ deaths to our children. In those difficult conversations, we tried to navigate our feelings while helping our young ones cope with their reactions. Their relationships with their grandparents enriched all of us. With experience, we learn to process through challenging times together. Community and family life offer mutual support, acceptance, and opportunities to share feelings and memories. Saint Paul observed that love is patient and kind and never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4, 8).
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