What is the Rosary and why is Our Lady of the Rosary important?

The Holy Rosary is a Marian prayer that takes on even more meaning during the month of May, the month dedicated to Our Lady. Praying it throughout the month (and throughout life!) is an act of love and gratitude to Mary, our Mother, who always guides us to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Another important date is also worth noting, the October 7, day dedicated to the Feast of the Virgin of the Rosary. As St. Josemaría Escrivá used to say: "The Rosary is a powerful weapon that we Christians have to confront evil.

Offering it for priests and vocations is especially valuable and is in line with the prayers Pope Leo XIV has asked of us. At the CARF Foundation (learn about our work to help seminarians and priests) we understand the importance of these prayers to support the mission of the integral formation of seminarians and diocesan priests and religious men and women without financial resources throughout the world. Each Hail Mary is an act of faith that can transform lives, supporting those who have given their lives to the service of God and his Church.

Virgen María

How to pray the rosary: a practical guide

From the CARF Foundation we would like to invite you to join us in prayer by offering the Holy Rosary in a special way for our priests and for the vocations that will build the future of the Church. It is an opportunity for us to place in the hands of our Mother those who are already serving, and those who are in the process of formation. Follow these simple steps and offer each mystery with a heart full of faith:

  1. Persevere: "By the sign of the Holy Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Lord our God. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
  2. Pray a My Lord Jesus ChristAsk for forgiveness for our sins. You can also ask for the strengthening of all priests and for the challenges they face in their mission.
  3. In every mystery, before starting it meditates briefly on its contentsDepending on the day of the week, we will pray a different one. And offer it for someone or something special. To pray the corresponding mystery, begin with an Our Father and ten Hail Marys. Repeat this cycle five times, one decade of Hail Marys for each mystery, completing the contemplation of the five mysteries of the day.
  4. At the end, a Gloria after each decade, giving thanks for all the help we are asking for. End the mystery with this prayer: Mary, Mother of Grace, Mother of mercy and mercy, defend us from our enemies and protect us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
  5. After the five mysteries, you can recite the lauretan litanies.
  6. At the end ofIf you wish, end the Rosary with the recitation of a Salve.

The mysteries of the Rosary: a path of prayer for our priests

As we pray the Holy Rosary, we reflect on the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. Each of these moments invites us to reflect on the life of Jesus and Mary, and gives us the opportunity to offer our prayers for those most in need.

Misterios gozosos

Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday

The joyful mysteries invite us to reflect on the first years of Jesus' life and the joy of his coming into the world: the annunciation or incarnation of the Son of God; the visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth; the birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem; the purification of our Mother and the presentation of her son in the temple; and the child lost and found in the temple.

Misterios dolorosos

Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday

The painful mysteries They fill us with hope by reminding us of all the sufferings, self-giving and love of Jesus before the resurrection and the victory of Christ over death: the prayer in the Garden of Olives; the scourging of the Lord tied to the pillar; the crowning with thorns; the cross on the road to Calvary; and the death of Jesus on the cross.

As we pray these mysteries we ask Mary to continue to inspire new priestly vocations, especially in these times when the world needs committed and very holy priests. Through her intercession, may the young people hear God's call and feel strengthened to dedicate their lives to the service of the Church and others.

Misterios luminosos

Luminous mysteries: Thursday

The luminous mysterieswhich were created by St. John Paul IIhighlight some moments of Jesus' public life, such as his baptism; the miracle of the wedding at Cana; the preaching and proclamation of the kingdom of God; the transfiguration of the Lord; and the institution of the Eucharist.

As we pray these mysteries, we can pray for priests who are already serving, that they may continue to lead their communities with good humor, wisdom and compassion.

Misterios gloriosos

Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday

With the mysteries glorious we rejoice in the triumph of Jesus over death and sin, over evil and the devil. We will meditate on his surrender on the cross that redeems us and with his resurrection opens the gates of heaven; the ascension of the Lord to heaven; the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and his mother Mary; the Assumption into heaven body and soul; and the coronation as queen and mistress of all creation.

Prayer for priestly vocations and for diocesan priests is an act of love on this feast; a gesture of faith that strengthens those who dedicate their lives to the service of God and a commitment to the future of our Church.

Why Our Lady of the Rosary is important

The feast of the Virgin of the Rosary, celebrated every October 7, is one of the most significant Marian commemorations in the Catholic liturgical calendar. This celebration not only honors the Virgin Mary under the invocation of the Rosary, but also commemorates historical and spiritual events that have deeply marked Christian devotion.

Table of contents summary

How to pray the rosary: a practical guide

The mysteries of the Rosary: a path of prayer for our priests

Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday

Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday

Luminous mysteries: Thursday

Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday

Why Our Lady of the Rosary is important

The Christian family: concept and importance

The Church celebrates five years since the publication of the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia on the beauty and joy of family love. On the same day Pope Francis will inaugurate the year dedicated to her, which will end on June 26, 2022, on the occasion of the 10th World Meeting in Rome with the Holy Father.

The first of all

Both the great human offspringand each of the familias who were to compose it, is one of the natural instruments willed by God to cooperate in his creative mission.

God's will to count on the family in his saving plan will be confirmed with the fulfillment of the divine plan. When Jesus is born, in Nazareth, of Mary, by the work of the Holy Spirit. And God provides for his Son a family, with an adoptive father, Joseph, and with Mary, the virginal Mother. The Lord wanted that, also in this, the way in which He wishes to see His children born and grow up, the human beings, be reflected:.

"What does the simple and admirable life of the Holy Family teach us?" To this question suggested by St. Josemaría, we can answer with words from the Catechism, pointing out that the Christian family, in the image of Jesus' family, is also a domestic church. because it manifests the united and familial nature of the Church as the family of God.

That of Nazareth is the model in which all those of the world can find their solid point of reference. and a strong inspiration says Pope Francis

The importance 

Every family has a sacred entityand deserves the veneration and solicitude of its members, of civil society and of the Church. Both by its natural and supernatural mission, by its origin, by its nature and by its end, the dignity of the Christian family is great.

The home must be the first and foremost school where children learn and live human and Christian virtues. The good example of parents, siblings and other components is reflected in the configuration of the social relationships that each of the members establishes. The family reality establishes rights and duties.

At the time of the life of society, it is particularly urgent to reinstilling a sense of Christianity or in the heart of so many homes. The task is not a simple one, but it is an exciting one. To contribute to this immense task, which is identified with that of giving a Christian tone to society, each one of us must begin by "sweeping" our own house.

amoris-laetitia-papa-francisco (1)

Amoris laetitia is the second post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, signed on March 19, 2016 and made public on April 8 of the same year.

The year of Amoris Laetitia

This is why Pope Francis has launched this initiative, which aims to reach every home in the world through different proposals. It arises from the experience of the pandemic. It has highlighted the central role of the Christian home as a domestic Church and the importance of the community bonds between them, which make the Church a "family of families". AL 87.

Bishops' Conferences, Dioceses, Parishes, Ecclesial Movements, Family Associations, but especially Christian families from all over the world are invited to participate and are the protagonists with new proposals.

The Pope also recalled that, in imitation of the Holy Family, "we are called to rediscover the educational value of the family nucleus, which must be based on love that always regenerates relationships, opening horizons of hope.".

This feast "presents us with the ideal of conjugal and family love, as was emphasized in the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris laetitia".

Amoris Laetitia summary

  1. "To make you experience that the Gospel is joy that fills the heart and the whole of life" (AL 200). A family that discovers and experiences the joy of having a gift and being in turn a gift for the Church and society, "can become a light in the darkness of the world" (AL 66). And today's world needs this light!
  2. Announce that the sacrament of marriage is a gift and has in itself a transforming force of human love. For this, it is necessary that pastors and families walk together in a pastoral co-responsibility and complementarity among the different vocations in the Church (cf. AL 203).
  3. Make families the protagonists of pastoral care. This requires "an evangelizing and catechetical effort aimed at them" (AL 200), since a Christian family also becomes a missionary family.
  4. Raising awareness among young people of the importance of formation in the truth of love and self-giving, with initiatives dedicated to them.
  5. Broadening the outlook and action of the pastoral ministry to become transversal, to include spouses, children, young people, the elderly and situations of family fragility.

"Christian family life is a vocation and a path to holiness, an expression of the 'most beautiful face of the Church' (Gaudete et exsultate 9)."

 

The Pope recalls the importance of making peace. On the feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis invites us to follow the model of Nazareth and gives some advice for a healthy environment: "if you argue, make peace the same day, the cold war the next day is very dangerous".

Recommendation for living 

The Pontiff has recommended a series of actions so that the family can experience a sincere communion and live deeply this year Amoris Laetitia

  • Maintain "deep and pure affections".
  • To prevail "forgiveness over discord". Never end the day without making peace
  • May "the daily hardness of life be softened by mutual tenderness and by serene adherence to the will of God".

In this way, Francisco pointed out, "the family is open to the joy that God gives to all those who know how to give with joy"But she also "finds the spiritual energy to open herself to the outside world, to others, to the service of her brothers and sisters, to collaboration in the construction of an ever new and better world; capable, therefore, of being the bearer of positive stimuli; evangelizing by the example of her life".

He also restated the three words that must always prevail: permission, thanks and apology. "Permission not to be invasive in the lives of others, then thanks, thanks for all the help and services we provide; thanks always, but gratitude is the blood of the noble soul, and then the most difficult to pronounce: apology". Because, as the Pope said: "we always do ugly things and someone can feel offended".

sagrada-familia-cristiana

Bibliography:

Praying for priests: why and how to pray

Praying for priests is a mission of love and responsibility. Pope Francis reminds us that a priest does not do it alone; he needs the support and prayers of all of us. In his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) and in many homilies, the Pope stresses that the path of the priesthood is deeply linked to all Christians.

The priestly vocation involves great sacrifices and challenges, and priests face difficulties that can weaken their mission if they do not receive the necessary support. That is why our prayers are an act of love and commitment, a way of caring for those who, in turn, care for us and bring us closer to God.

Rezar por los sacerdotes
Women and men should always be praying for priests.

Why should we pray for priests?

St. Josemaría Escrivá taught that the priest, although a man among men, is Christ himself! Through our prayer, we can be his shield and strength. Priests are spiritual directors and living examples of love and dedication to Christ, but they also need our prayers to remain firm in their vocation. Praying for them is an act of empathy and deep support, a gesture of love that accompanies and strengthens them in their daily mission of service. And the prayers go back and forth, since all priests pray daily in the Liturgy of the Hours for all human beings all over the planet.

3 reasons to pray for priests

How to pray for priests?

Praying for priests is a simple and profound way of accompanying them in their mission. There are many ways to do this; an easy option within everyone's reach is to include them in our daily intentions: to dedicate a prayer for them, every day, as a pearl of love that enriches the Church.

You can also offer a rosario or the celebration of the Mass on their behalf; or participate in a ninth especially dedicated to his holiness and strength.

In addition, in moments of silence and meditation, they ask God to give them strength and wisdom to face the challenges of loneliness or misunderstandings. These prayers sustain them spiritually and remind them that they are not alone on their journey.

What is the prayer of the faithful for priests?

The prayer of the faithful is a punctual moment of the Holy Mass. Mass in which, united as one heart, we raise petitions to God for different intentions, among them, do not forget the sanctity of life and the mission of priests. In this prayer we pray for those who have dedicated themselves to the service of the Church.

This prayer is invaluable because we recognize that priests, like all human beings, need God's grace and strength to be faithful and helpful. It is a sign of gratitude, for in praying for them, we also recognize their sacrifice and dedication. This joint prayer reflects the desire of all to see priests as models of Christ who, like the good shepherd, cares for his flock with tenderness and courage.

What is intercessory prayer for priests?

Intercessory prayer is a prayer in which we ask God for the good of others, in this case, for priests.

Pray for priests

Prayer brings an incalculable richness to the Church through the gift of priestly ministry and consecrated life in its many charisms and institutions. We thank God for the life and witness of so many priests and people of consecrated life.

Oración para rezar por los sacerdotes
Download the image and pray for the priests.

In the CARF Foundation we work with dedication to support the integral formation of diocesan priests from all parts of the world. This effort is possible thanks to the generosity of benefactors and friends and, above all, to the constant prayers of those who value the priestly mission.

The benefactors of the CARF Foundation form a group of committed Christians who, in addition to financial support, unite in prayer, not only for the vocations of future priests, but also for those who are already developing their mission.

We pray that all of them, present and future, receive the necessary grace to carry out their vocation, overcoming challenges and living joyfully their service to the diocesan Church and the world.

What is celebrated today, the 15th day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary?

Assumption Day: "The stupendous reality of Mary's Assumption manifests and confirms the unity of the human person and reminds us that we are called to serve and glorify God with our whole being, soul and body," Pope Francis.

Importance of the Mystery of the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary is full of grace. The intensity and nature of her graces are different throughout her life; one is the grace at her Conception, another at the Encarnacionanother in the Assumption of Mary into heaven. In the latter, the Virgin Mary receives the fullness of holiness.

día de la asunción de la virgen maría
Assumption of the Virgin Jacopo Negretti.

History of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary

The celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary is an ancient feast celebrated in Jerusalem since the 6th century in honor of the Mother of God, probably recalling the consecration of a church in her honor.

This feast, a century later, spread throughout the East under the name of the Dormition of St. Mary and celebrates her passing from this world and Mary's assumption into heaven.

The dogma of the Assumption 

Pope Pius XII, in 1950, declared the Assumption of Mary a dogma of faith. The Virgin Mary, by a special privilege of Almighty God, did not experience corruption: her body, glorified by the Holy Trinity, was united to the soul, and Mary was assumed into heaven, where she reigns alive and glorious, together with Jesus, to glorify God and intercede for us.

In the Apocalypse we can read the passages that relate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven: "A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon at her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev 12:1).

And we, prompted by the liturgy at the vigil Mass of this feast, acclaim Our Lady with these words: Gloriosa dicta sunt de te, Maria, quæ hodie exaltata es super choros angelorum.Blessed are you, Mary, for today you have been raised above the choirs of angels and, together with Christ, you have attained eternal triumph.

The day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Christian life

The Church looks to Mary to contemplate in her what the Church is in her mystery, in her "pilgrimage of faith," and what she will be at the end of her journey, where she awaits, "for the glory of the Most Holy and indivisible Trinity," "in communion with all the saints" she whom she venerates as the Mother of her Lord and as her own Mother.

The Assumption of Mary, Our Lady proposes to us the reality of this joyful hope. We are still pilgrims, but Our Mother has preceded us and is already pointing out to us the end of the path: she repeats to us that it is possible to arrive and that, if we are faithful, we will arrive. Because the Blessed Virgin is not only our example: she is the help of Christians. And at our request -Monstra te esse Matrem-She does not know how, nor does she want to refuse to care for her children with maternal solicitude. It is Christ who passes, 177.

Mary fulfilled in an exemplary way the will of God in her life and that is what led her to reach the glory of God. The Assumption of the Virgin is an example for all Christians.

On Earth we all want to reach God. This is our hope. The Virgin Mary has already achieved this. What she has achieved encourages us. Mary had enormous trust in God and her heart was full of God.

With the collaboration of:

Opusdei.org

Prayer for priestly and religious vocations

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as the Sunday of the Good Shepherd. The Gospel presents Jesus Christ as the shepherd who calls and gathers his sheep, knows them by name, cares for them, guides and leads them to fresh pastures, searches for the lost sheep and, in his Paschal immolation, gives his life for his sheep.

Pope Francis' message for the 57th world day of prayer for vocations

On March 3, we also celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Religious Vocations. In it, Pope Francis reminds us that, in the saving task born of the paschal mystery, the Good Shepherd needs collaborators.

In his universal prayer intention, the Pope Francis asks to pray for priests "that with the sobriety and humility of their lives, they may engage in active solidarity, especially towards the poorest".

Through humble human instruments, the Lord must continue preaching, sanctifying, forgiving sins, healing physical and moral wounds, comforting the sad, teaching the ignorant and accompanying those who feel alone and abandoned.

They are the different vocations that the Spirit raises up in his Church to continue fulfilling the mission of the Good Shepherd, living like him in chastity, poverty and obedience, at the service of the People of God.

With this prayer for the vocations we thank God for the life and witness of so many priests and consecrated men and women who in pastoral ministry, in prayer, in the work and silence of the cloister, in service to the poor and marginalized, in accompanying the sick and elderly and in the Catholic school are generously spending their lives in the service of God and their brothers and sisters.

The richness brought to the Church by the gift of priestly ministry and consecrated life in its many charisms and institutions is incalculable.

It commits us to think that behind every priestly vocation, there is another call from the Lord to each one of us, Christians, asking for personal effort to ensure the means for their formation and our prayer for their vocation.

The CARF Foundation and its mission towards priests

At the CARF Foundation each year we have more than 800 priests, seminarians and religious who need our help for their formation. They come from more than 100 countries and are being trained in prestigious institutions in Pamplona and Rome in order to help their communities to live a better and fuller life.

The CARF Foundation and its benefactors understand the importance of prayer. Although they don't ask for it, they need your prayers for comfort and to continue their mission. Therefore, on the website you can personalize your prayer for them.

You can also help the Foundation to encourage the habit of praying for vocations among your friends and acquaintances. You can order online a pack to pray for priests that will facilitate this mission.

The church and priests need more committed people like you. With your effort and joy, we can increase the number of scholarships and benefit more priests to make this world a better place.

All the scholarships we offer are destined to a particular priest and you will always have access to his image, names and surnames so that you can put a face to your donation and pray for him and him for you and your family throughout the year.

On this Day and always, may we accompany them with affection and prayer so that they may be faithful to the call they have received and that the Lord may grant us many, holy and generous vocations for the glory of God and the good of the Church.

oración vocaciones
We must pray for priestly vocations.

Prayer for priestly vocations.

Lord Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament,
that you wanted to perpetuate yourself among us
through your Priests,
make their words yours alone,
that their gestures are your gestures,
may his life be a true reflection of yours.

Let them be the men who speak to God about men.
and speak to the men of God.
They should not be afraid of service,
serving the Church as she wants to be served.
May they be men, witnesses of the eternal in our time,
walking along the paths of history with your same step
and doing good to all.

Be faithful to their commitments,
zealous of their vocation and dedication,
clear mirrors of one's own identity
and may they live with the joy of the gift received.
I ask this through your Mother Holy Mary:
She who was present in your life
will always be present in the life of your priests, Amen.

With the collaboration of: Mr. Juan José Asenjo Pelegrina

10 Minutes with Jesus and the CARF Foundation; synergy that transforms

10 Minutes with Jesus and the CARF Foundation have joined forces to carry the message
of the Gospel to thousands of people through digital media and to support the formation of future
priests. Find out how you can be part of this evangelizing mission.

What is 10 Minutes with Jesus?

10 Minutes with Jesus is a daily prayer initiative that offers reflections on the
Gospel of the day. This project was born with the aim of providing a space for prayer and
meditation accessible to all, especially to young people and adults who are looking for a
moment of peace and spiritual connection in the midst of their daily routines. Each reflection lasts
approximately ten minutes and is designed to be listened to through a variety of different
digital channels.

Since its launch, 10 Minutes with Jesus has experienced exponential growth.
What started as a local idea has transcended borders, reaching thousands of people.
in different countries and in several languages. This diffusion has been made possible thanks to the dedication of
the priests involved (among them they call themselves Ignotos so as not to give their names and thus avoid any prominence), and to the effective use of digital platforms such as YouTube,
WhatsApp, Telegram, and other means of communication.

Channels to Listen to 10 Minutes with Jesus

10 Minutes with Jesus has become an essential tool for the daily prayer of the people of
thousands of people around the world. Thanks to the versatility and accessibility of the
digital platforms, this initiative has been able to reach a wide and varied audience.

YouTube is one of the most popular and effective channels for listening to 10 Minutes with
Jesus. The free platform enables users to subscribe to the official channel and receive
notifications each time a new audio video is posted. This ensures that listeners are not
lose any reflection and can easily integrate them into their daily routine. In addition,
YouTube offers a visual experience that complements the audio content. The videos
often include inspirational images and biblical quotations that enrich the reflection.

But what really stands out is the functionality of the button. Super Like. Thanks to the
Super Like at YouTubelisteners can make donations directly to the Foundation.
CARF, thus supporting the formation of future priests, which is essential for carrying out this
evangelization project.

There are also other ways to access the 10 Minutes with Jesus daily reflections. The
The best known is WhatsApp, which allows you to receive the reflections directly on your phone
mobile, facilitating daily access. Another messaging platform that offers a channel
specific for reflections is Telegram.

You will also find 10 Minutes with Jesus on Spotify and other podcast platforms,
ideal for those who prefer to listen to reflections while on the move.

Who are the priests of 10 Minutes with Jesus?

Behind every daily 10 Minutes with Jesus reflection is a dedicated team of
priests who are well trained and committed to their pastoral mission. These priests not only
share their theological and spiritual knowledge, but they also offer a
close and accessible accompaniment of the faithful.

The formation of priests is crucial for the Church and for initiatives such as 10 minutes with
. The CARF Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that priests receive an education that is
The priest is an integral member of the community, embracing both theological and human aspects. A well-formed priest is
able to communicate effectively with the faithful and adapt to the new forms of
evangelization, as demonstrated by the priests participating in 10 Minutes with Jesus.

St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, emphasized the importance of formation
spiritual and academic formation of priests. In his teachings, he commented that the spiritual and academic
The priest's training is not limited to theological knowledge, but must encompass all the
aspects of human life, so that he can be a true shepherd of souls. These words resonate in the mission of the CARF Foundation and in the dedication of the priests who participate in 10 Minutes with Jesus.

Inspiring Stories from 10 Minutes with Jesus listeners

The influence of "10 Minutes with Jesus" is reflected in the numerous testimonials from listeners.
who have found comfort, inspiration, and a deeper connection to their faith through
these daily reflections. A young professional commented: "Since I started listening to 10
Minutes with Jesus, every morning I feel my day begin with purpose and peace. These
reflections help me to focus and remember the importance of my faith in every aspect of my life.
life".

10 Minutes with Jesus and the CARF Foundation have created a powerful alliance that not only leads to
the message of the Gospel to thousands of people around the world, but it also supports the
formation of priests, which are fundamental for evangelization. The active participation of the faithful, either by listening to the reflections, or by making donations through the Super Like on YouTube, or by collaborating with the Foundation, is essential to continue this transformative mission.

The synergy between these two initiatives demonstrates that evangelization can be adapted to the needs of the
modern times and reach people through digital media. By joining this mission,
you not only enrich your spiritual life, but you also contribute to the formation of priests.
Be part of this incredible transformation and help bring God's word to every corner of the world.
corner of the world!