Rosary Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Catechist's Journey

Scourging at the Pillar - image by Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Sorrowful Mysteries: The Scourging at the Pillar and the Protection of the Voiceless

As we journey deeper into Lent, we pause to reflect on the Second Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: the Scourging at the Pillar. This violent scene is depicted in all four Gospels (Luke’s Gospel refers to Jesus being “beaten.”) with very little description, yet it is one of the most vivid images of the Passion, because it was such a barbarous act intended to humiliate the victim and instill fear in onlookers. It’s important to […]

Agony in the Garden - image by Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony in the Garden and the Myth of Self-Sufficiency

Joe Paprocki

As we venture deeper into this season of Lent, let’s reflect upon the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary—those events that lead up to and culminate in the Crucifixion and Death of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In this first installment, we reflect on the Agony in the Garden. The Book of Genesis introduces us to the Garden of Eden—that place where Adam and Eve enjoyed absolute intimacy with God. It is within that paradise that everything […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Our Lady of the Rosary

Joe Paprocki

Generally, when we visit an art gallery or museum, we take our time, strolling from one piece to another and pausing in front of each one to take it in. We set our gaze upon each work of art and allow it to wash over us. This is a good metaphor for how we pray the Mysteries of the Rosary: each mystery is like a work of art that we stand before and set our […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Praying the Rosary as a Family

Joe Paprocki

In today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at the practice of praying the Rosary as a family. Here are some resources to help you get to know the Rosary better: Praying the Rosary Reflecting on Praying the Rosary Rosary Beads Mysteries of the Rosary Marian Resources Praying the Rosary Interactive Tool Mary, Our Mother Plush Figure How to Pray a Family Rosary Pope Francis suggests praying at the end of the Rosary, two prayers […]

Teaching Children to Pray the Rosary

Kathleen Butler

I love teaching the Rosary to my first graders. The Rosary helps them learn important prayers, highlights Scripture stories, and keeps their hands occupied when we are sitting together in a circle. In May I hand out rosaries to each student, usually a week after they learn the Hail Mary. I explain that they were blessed by a priest earlier in the day. (One year, I actually took a photo of our pastor with his […]

Online Book Club Week 4: Praying Like Children

Jane Knuth

Editor’s note: Jump into our online book club! We’re reading Jane Knuth’s The Prayer List…and Other True Stories of How Families Pray. This week we focus on chapters 10–12. Learn more about the book club here. Today, I have a story about family prayer that is not in The Prayer List. This one requires a visual, so go put your hands on a set of rosary beads before you read any further. If you don’t […]

Teaching the Rosary

Barb Gilman

During October and May, I focus on teaching and praying the Rosary with my third graders. Since the Church honors Mary during these months, I want to make this time extra special for my students by passing on my love for Mary. I do this by making each student a twine rosary and giving them the materials for a keepsake Rosary prayer book. Each year our students are asked to bring a rosary from home […]

Rosary Craft Activities

Joe Paprocki

October 7 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and October and May are the two months especially devoted to Mary. Plan a special activity for either of these months with the help of our free Rosary Craft Activities. Invite families to string their own rosaries, and encourage them to make this treasured prayer a family event. Or work on a poster with children to help them as they learn to pray the […]

Stations of the Cross image by Steve Snodgrass under CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Experiences Teaching Catholic Devotions

Denise Gorss

During my planning of sessions this year, it occurred to me that young people in our programs never get exposed to the Stations of the Cross or many other traditional Catholic devotions. Even when I include the Stations in my plan, I’m teaching what they are, not leading or praying them with the young people. Maybe I needed to think differently about my approach, so this year I decided to try praying the Stations of […]

St. Gregory the Great rosary balloon release

Lifting Hearts and Eyes to Mary with a Living Rosary and Balloon Release

Sophie Lorenzo

There’s no doubt that St. Gregory the Great Catholic School in San Antonio, Texas has a passion for Mary and her discipleship. Lessons about the Rosary are incorporated in religious instruction at all grade levels and focus especially on Mary during the Month of the Rosary in October. Fifteen years ago, St. Gregory’s seventh-grade students started asking questions about Marian apparitions and how they connected to the Mysteries of the Rosary. The students were asked […]