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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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Lenten Prayer | catholic family life | family prayer | pray the rosary
This Lent, consider embracing the Family Rosary as a powerful way to draw closer to Christ. While it can be challenging to find time in the busyness of family life, weaving the Rosary into your daily routine is a beautiful way to grow in prayer together. Here are seven practical ideas to help make the Rosary a meaningful Lenten practice for your family, no matter your schedule or stage of life.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Praying with images | Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary | family prayer | pray the rosary
Beauty lifts the soul, especially when combined with prayer. A grand vista or intricate work of art can be transformative, evoking deep feelings and thoughts. A majestic waterfall or a detailed painting reminds us of God’s magnificence and the care He put into the world. Art communicates ideas and stories, especially in matters of faith, when literacy was less common, leading to a vast collection of religious art. Since the early Church, Christians have used art to share the Good News and tell Christ’s story. Frescoes, paintings, and other traditional art forms were common. As time passed, artists explored various styles and mediums, resulting in the creation of new art forms. Colored glass in windows has been used in churches since the early days, but it became a staple in the monumental Gothic works of the 11th and 12th centuries. These cathedrals, decorated with beautiful stained glass, brought light and color, instructing the faithful in a simple, engaging, and beautiful way.
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Blessed Virgin Mary | Celebrating Marian feasts | New Year | pray the rosary
Today, on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, let us honor the Blessed Mother by attending Mass and offering a Rosary, especially as a family. Mary's fiat, her "yes" to God’s plan to bear and give birth to our Savior, Jesus, inspires us to embrace faith and trust in God as we begin the new year. The Glorious Mysteries, which include Mary's Assumption and Coronation, are recited on Wednesdays. All the more reason to set aside time to celebrate this special day with the Rosary, even if it’s just two decades. Swipe through the images to learn more about Mary, Mother of God. Then, click the button below the carousel to pray and meditate on the Glorious Mysteries along with inspiring and stunning classical art.
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New Year's Resolutions | catholic family life | family prayer | pray the rosary
Something that has become more and more apparent as my kids one-by-one enter adulthood is that while my vocation as Mom never ends, it does change! I remember those days of mothering with littles running around the house. They needed me for the physical things; food, drink, shelter, safety, comfort, and clothing, and they were learning so much from basic skills and interests, and subjects at school, and picking up prayers, Bible stories and beliefs of our Catholic Faith. As they got older, entering the teenage years, they still relied on us heavily (whether they cared to admit it or not). As they entered young adulthood, they'd talk to us about matters of the heart, of conscience, and questions in the Faith. While we might want to provide all the answers, we just don't have them! We can counsel or suggest to a certain point, but our best approach is to remind them to pray: to seek the Lord for His answers and to sincerely pursue His will. But like everything, we need to set the groundwork early on.
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Luminous Mysteries | Praying with images | family prayer | pray the rosary
Beauty has a way of lifting our hearts and souls to God, much like a heartfelt prayer. There is something truly captivating about seeing a breathtaking landscape or a detailed piece of art. These experiences have a special quality that makes us think and feel deeply. For example, a stunning waterfall can make us pause and marvel at creation, while a detailed painting can fill us with awe as we imagine the artist's hard work. Beauty reminds us of God's greatness and the care He put into the world around us. Art doesn't just stir our emotions; it can also tell a story or share an idea. For years, art has been used to convey messages about faith, especially during times when many people were unable to read. That's why you'll find so much religious art around: it speaks to us in ways words sometimes can't.
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