State Chaplain's Message
October-The Month of the Rosary
The month of October has been traditionally dedicated to the Rosary of Our Blessed Mother. On October 7 we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Pope Benedict XVI recently in an address said: “The Holy Rosary is not just a pious practice banished to the past, like prayers of other times thought of with nostalgia. Instead the Rosary is experiencing a new springtime. Without a doubt, this is one of the most eloquent signs of love that the faithful can nourish for Jesus and his Mother, Mary.
"In the current world the Rosary helps to put Christ at the centre, as the Virgin did, who meditated within all that was said about her Son, and also about what He did and said. When reciting the Rosary, the important and meaningful events of salvation history are relived. The various steps of Christ’s mission are traced. With Mary the heart is oriented toward the mystery of Jesus.
"Christ is put at the centre of our life, our time, our city, through the contemplation and meditation of his holy mysteries of joy, light, sorrow and glory. May Mary help us to welcome within ourselves the grace emanating from these mysteries so that they may open us to the newness of God.”
The life of Mary, according to the Scriptures, is as humanly true as it can possibly be, but in this human quality it is filled with a mystery of divine communion and love, the depth of which is incomprehensible. The Rosary points in this direction.
October 1, 2008 will be the thirty-seventh anniversary of the Rosary being on the radio every night in the Western Pennsylvania area. It has been my privilege to lead and be the voice of the Rosary for those thirty-seven years. The Rosary is still broadcast every night at 7:00 p.m. on WHKB, 620 on the AM dial.
Over those thirty seven years, the Rosary on the radio has survived many different circumstances, such as several changes in stations as well as increased prices for air time.
As Catholics we were brought up to say the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the Rosary. However, a few years ago, Pope John Paul II approved the use of a new mystery of the Rosary, the Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of the Light. It has been suggested that we recite the Mysteries of the Light on Thursday evenings.
"The Vocation Director of the Diocese of Pittsburgh has suggested that on Thursdays we pray the Mysteries of the Light for the intention of the fostering of religious vocations.
Since the AOH is so instrumental in helping religious and seminarians financially with Project St. Patrick, the members can help the religious and seminarian spiritually by offering their Rosary on Thursday for vocations.
"The following are suggested mediations for the recitation of the Mysteries of the Light:
1. Jesus is baptized in the Jordan -- All of us are baptized in the Light of Christ. A Priest celebrates this special sacrament of Baptism and gives new life in the Church.
2. The Wedding Feast of Cana -- Jesus performed his first miracle at Cana. A Priest witnesses the Sacrament of Marriage for the new couple uniting as husband and wife.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom -- Jesus proclaimed the Good News to the people. A Priest proclaims the Gospel and teaches about the faith to the people of God.
4. The Transfiguration -- Jesus was transfigured on the mountain with Moses and Elijah. At a Priesthood Ordination a man is transfigured into a Priest as the Sacrament of Holy Orders is bestowed upon him.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist -- Jesus is the Body and Blood of Christ. A Priest changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Eucharist. This is the center of our faith.
May Christ, the Divine Priest, and Mary his Mother continue to send more laborers for His harvest and help Priests and Religious persevere in their vocations.
With every blessing and best wish,
Father Tom O’Donnell, Allegheny County and Penna. State Chaplain
The month of October has been traditionally dedicated to the Rosary of Our Blessed Mother. On October 7 we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Pope Benedict XVI recently in an address said: “The Holy Rosary is not just a pious practice banished to the past, like prayers of other times thought of with nostalgia. Instead the Rosary is experiencing a new springtime. Without a doubt, this is one of the most eloquent signs of love that the faithful can nourish for Jesus and his Mother, Mary.
"In the current world the Rosary helps to put Christ at the centre, as the Virgin did, who meditated within all that was said about her Son, and also about what He did and said. When reciting the Rosary, the important and meaningful events of salvation history are relived. The various steps of Christ’s mission are traced. With Mary the heart is oriented toward the mystery of Jesus.
"Christ is put at the centre of our life, our time, our city, through the contemplation and meditation of his holy mysteries of joy, light, sorrow and glory. May Mary help us to welcome within ourselves the grace emanating from these mysteries so that they may open us to the newness of God.”
The life of Mary, according to the Scriptures, is as humanly true as it can possibly be, but in this human quality it is filled with a mystery of divine communion and love, the depth of which is incomprehensible. The Rosary points in this direction.
October 1, 2008 will be the thirty-seventh anniversary of the Rosary being on the radio every night in the Western Pennsylvania area. It has been my privilege to lead and be the voice of the Rosary for those thirty-seven years. The Rosary is still broadcast every night at 7:00 p.m. on WHKB, 620 on the AM dial.
Over those thirty seven years, the Rosary on the radio has survived many different circumstances, such as several changes in stations as well as increased prices for air time.
As Catholics we were brought up to say the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the Rosary. However, a few years ago, Pope John Paul II approved the use of a new mystery of the Rosary, the Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of the Light. It has been suggested that we recite the Mysteries of the Light on Thursday evenings.
"The Vocation Director of the Diocese of Pittsburgh has suggested that on Thursdays we pray the Mysteries of the Light for the intention of the fostering of religious vocations.
Since the AOH is so instrumental in helping religious and seminarians financially with Project St. Patrick, the members can help the religious and seminarian spiritually by offering their Rosary on Thursday for vocations.
"The following are suggested mediations for the recitation of the Mysteries of the Light:
1. Jesus is baptized in the Jordan -- All of us are baptized in the Light of Christ. A Priest celebrates this special sacrament of Baptism and gives new life in the Church.
2. The Wedding Feast of Cana -- Jesus performed his first miracle at Cana. A Priest witnesses the Sacrament of Marriage for the new couple uniting as husband and wife.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom -- Jesus proclaimed the Good News to the people. A Priest proclaims the Gospel and teaches about the faith to the people of God.
4. The Transfiguration -- Jesus was transfigured on the mountain with Moses and Elijah. At a Priesthood Ordination a man is transfigured into a Priest as the Sacrament of Holy Orders is bestowed upon him.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist -- Jesus is the Body and Blood of Christ. A Priest changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Eucharist. This is the center of our faith.
May Christ, the Divine Priest, and Mary his Mother continue to send more laborers for His harvest and help Priests and Religious persevere in their vocations.
With every blessing and best wish,
Father Tom O’Donnell, Allegheny County and Penna. State Chaplain
Labels: Religion
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