“Continue to say the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, to bring peace to the world …” Message of Our Lady of Fatima
“Do you remember the first time you prayed the rosary? What memories does it bring back? Who taught you to pray it?” Laura Kreber, organizer of a bilingual rosary at Columbus St. Cecilia Church, asked me with a smile.
At that moment, I remembered being at a neighbor's house in my hometown, surrounded by children, all joyfully learning to pray the rosary. Each child took a turn leading a mystery. That neighbor would reward us with ginger tea and cookies at the end of the rosary. Best of all, she would prepare a beautiful nativity scene in her house to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas and invited all the kids in the neighborhood.
Then, Kreber shared that she also has memories of when she was a little girl, that she used to dress in white and it was the time of the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and they would go as a family to honor the Virgin in her country, Mexico, with flowers.
Every Monday during October, a month dedicated to the rosary, parishioners of the English and Spanish communities are meeting at 6 p.m. at St. Cecilia Church to pray and then have a get-together. They do this to give thanks and to remind the communities that they are united in prayer and that next year they will pray the rosary again. It is also a way to share what they like and how they can improve each year.
So that the children at St. Cecilia would also have beautiful memories to cherish, Kreber is motivated by the parishioners that a rosary be made as a bridge to unite the two communities and that the children would have the opportunity to remember that they prayed in community and with their families and brought flowers to our Heavenly Mother.
Lisa Cornelison, off and on parishioner for at least 65 years, said, “It is beautiful to participate in the bilingual rosary. It is such a sharing and camaraderie with everybody. Adding flowers to the Blessed Mother is just beautiful. The flowers and the statue of Mary touch my heart deeply. The rosary is so needed. Our world needs it, our families, children, and churches need it now, and we need it. We also pray the chaplet and Patriotic rosary, and we often see our prayers being answered.”
“I don’t have any specific testimony,” she further explained, “but I can tell you that I feel peace.”
Yolanda Phillips, a parish member for 50 years, commented, “I think the rosary being prayed in English and Spanish is a great idea. I am fully attracted to the Virgin Mother and the rosary. I get immense joy from attending this rosary. I have a great devotion to the Blessed Mother, so usually when things come up with family, I always tell them to trust in her and talk to her for answers.”
Before starting the rosary on the first Monday of October, everyone wrote their intentions and put them in a basket. A little girl carried the basket to the statue of the Blessed Mother.
Kreber, who led the rosary with patience, love, and devotion, invited everyone to open their hearts and pray with love. At each mystery, all those who felt the desire, including the girls present, to bring flowers to Our Lady lined up and delicately placed them in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary. Most of those who participated were women and girls of different ages and cultures. There was a man with his family as well.
The English and Spanish communities demonstrated openness and joy in sharing one of the best-known devotions to Our Lady. The joy was contagious, and the most beautiful thing was when they ended with a prayer of consecration. I felt peace.
Zuni Gomez, a volunteer and mother of two girls, was motivated by her youngest daughter to participate in the rosary. “To welcome the people at the parish and then say goodbye to them, and also hear them say, see you next Monday, without having to tell them anything, is a great satisfaction,” she said.
Veronica, leader of the adult Bible courses, shared, “I love to pray the rosary a lot!
"Right now, Mexicans are the highest population participating in the parish events more than people from other countries. There are many people from Central America, but evangelization is needed for them to give service. Evangelization is very important to increase the participation of more people in church events."
Sisters Donays Salazar-Vialet, 14, and Daiana Salazar-Vialet, 15, said they feel more connected with God every time they come to church to pray as a family. Their mother, Yesenia Vialet, who has been a member of the parish for two years and helps with hospitality, said, “I am here to give thanks to the Blessed Mother, and I invite more people to join us.”
There weren't many children present on the first Monday of the month. Many of them prayed the rosary in the morning at school. But there’s hope that those present this time will spread the word and more families will join. The invitation is open to all those interested in praying with them from other parishes during the month dedicated to the rosary.
