The rosary as we have it today developed over many centuries. As early as the 2nd or 3rd century, monks in the desert used knotted ropes as they prayed. The rosary itself became known as “The Poor Man’s Breviary.” Since most people couldn’t read or pray the 150 Psalms of the Bible as was done in monasteries, the practice of substituting an Our Father and later a Hail Mary for each of the Psalms gradually grew up. Mysteries were added later still, focal points for reflecting on the key events in the life of Jesus and Mary, from the Annunciation to the Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Faith
Catechetical Sunday is a special occasion for the national Church to recognize and bless the invaluable work of catechists who dedicate themselves to teaching and nurturing the faith within our communities.
After losing her brother to suicide in 2018, Victoria Rios channeled her grief into action, becoming an instructor for the Diocese of Dallas’ Mental Health First Aid program and creating an art-based foundation to help fund tuition costs for future program participants.
While people can get caught up in the pursuit of power and greatness, Jesus teaches that true power is found in the humility of being a servant to the most vulnerable, Pope Francis said.
Sister Juliana Guadalupe, S.V., began her journey of faith with friends in high school and watched it grow with spiritual direction from peers and priests at Southern Methodist University. On Aug. 6, she continued that journey as one of 10 women who professed their perpetual vows as Sisters of Life at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
St. Jeanne Jugan, foundress of my community of Little Sisters of the Poor, was a woman of few words. She left behind no letters or other writings, but she did impart little bits of advice to the young Little Sisters among whom she spent her final years.
The 87-year-old Pope Francis publicly thanked God for allowing him “to do as an old pope what I would have liked to do as a young Jesuit,” and that is to travel to Asia to preach the Gospel.
As Ecuador’s International Eucharistic Congress wrapped up in the country’s capital, Quito, Australians burst into joy as the announcement was made that they will host the 54th congress in 2028.
It is not enough to know about Jesus, one must encounter Him, be changed by His Gospel, and follow Him, Pope Francis said.
“The Church has always been in spaces with people in extremely fragile situations, always,” said Sister Idília Carneiro, the new superior general of the Sisters Hospitallers; and as global rates of mental illness continue to rise, she insisted that Catholics have an obligation to expand their ministries in addressing the crisis.