REFLECTION
The Our Lady of Lourdes rosary that led to my becoming Catholic
Reflection posted on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary October 7, 2014
On Saturday, September 6, 2014, I was privileged to speak before the Apostolate of Fatima after the First Saturday Mass about my conversion to Catholicism. Because I was giving my story to an organization devoted to Our Lady and because I became Catholic through a rosary, I focused my talk on my conversion through the rosary and my relationship with Our Lady. But because I wanted those in attendance to get more out of my talk than listening to me talk about myself, I also applied the talk to how a relationship with our lady helps us to get through life and to grow in spirituality. We are all on our own personal journey and the Blessed Mother helps us along the way. Pope Francis has said, “If any Christian does not think of Mary as his or her own mother, then they are an orphan.” The Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Rosary, draws everyone to the family of God. What follows is a very short summary of the points I made (or was going to make because time was short).
The Annunciation
Mary is a perfect example of doing God’s will. She received her mission from the angel at the Annunciation, she first asked, “How?” and after being told, simply said, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Each of us has our own annunciation, our mission from God, and while ours probably will not be delivered by an angel, unlike Mary who was on a spiritual level that allowed her to readily receive angels into her life (we would probably be terrified!), we are being called for a specific mission and role that involves our own individual talents and abilities in a way that no one else can. She can help us to discern God’s will for our lives, to listen to that voice inside our hearts, so that we can find out what our mission is and how we are to lead it out.
Deacon DSM 