Chaplain’s Corner – Oct. ’25 – Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon

The Rosary

October is recognized as the month dedicated to the Rosary. The Rosary is a powerful and meditative prayer practice in the Catholic faith.

As you reflect on the sacred tradition of the Rosary, you may find yourself thinking, “I truly love the Rosary,” or perhaps you feel a bit overwhelmed, saying, “I can never seem to get through the Rosary without dozing off.” It is important to acknowledge that people’s relationships with the Rosary can vary greatly. Some people are deeply committed to praying it daily, finding solace and strength in its repetition, while others are still exploring its significance and beauty.

No matter where you stand in your personal journey with the Rosary, know that it is perfectly normal. Whether you recite it every day with great devotion, rely on it during challenging times for comfort and guidance, or occasionally misplace it in the busyness of life, each experience is meaningful in its own way. The Rosary offers a unique opportunity to engage in heartfelt conversation with Mary, the Mother of God, while also meditating on the profound mysteries of faith that span from the joys of the Annunciation to the sorrows of the Crucifixion and the glories of the Resurrection.

During this month of the Rosary, take a moment to reflect on the place the Rosary holds in your life, and consider how it can deepen your spiritual journey and connection with the divine.

Melissa McCoy

Melissa McCoy
Maryville Chaplain

October Notes

Mass is open to residents, families and friends. It is offered at 10 a.m. in the Chapel Sunday to Friday. Residents and families can also tune to Maryville channel 63 to participate from their rooms.
Liturgical color – Green for ordinary time
Oct. 1 – Memorial of St. Therese of Lisieux
Oct. 4 – Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi
Oct. 7 – Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Oct. 15 – Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus
Oct. 18 – Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist

statue of st therese lisieux — Statue of St. Therese Lisieux
Credit: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk

St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) was a French Carmelite who is venerated in modern times. She is known as the “Little Flower” in English and as “la petite Thérèse” in French.

St. Therese has been a highly influential model of sanctity for Catholics and others due to the simplicity and practicality of her approach to spiritual life. She is one of the most popular saints in the history of the Catholic Church.

St. Therese felt an early call to religious life and became a nun when she was 15 years old. She joined two of her older sisters in a cloistered Carmelite community. St. Therese died at the age of 24 from tuberculosis.

How to Pray the Rosary

Sisters Theresa and Mary Ann Hathaway making rosaries — SSMO Sisters Theresa and Mary Ann Hathaway making Rosaries for friends and family.

Start on the crucifix, make the sign of the cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed
On the first large bead, pray the Our Father
Pray the Hail Mary on the following three small beads
On the chain before the next bead, pray the Glory Be
On the large bead, meditate on the first mystery and pray the Our Father

Pray the Hail Mary on each of the ten smaller beads
On the chain before the next decade, pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer
Repeat each decade starting with Our Father until you reach the medal in the center
Finish by praying the Hail Holy Queen and closing prayer

Obscure Rosary Facts

Catholics have been praying the rosary as we know it today since the 13th Century, but monks and hermits as early as the 3rd century used rocks and prayer beads in a similar way.
To make a traditional rosary, it takes about 59 beads, 3 feet of cord, 14 plastic spacers, a metal spacer, a crucifix, and a Miraculous or Saint medal.
The Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum near Stevenson, Washington currently holds the record for the largest collection of rosaries with more than 4,000 on display.
St. Thomas Aquinas gave the longest (known) homily on the rosary and it lasted 40 days.
The world’s largest rosary is in Beirut. It measures 1965 ft long and includes 59 large concrete beads, each approximately the size of a car.

Source: 8 Obscure facts about the Rosary from Catholic.Ipages.co

Chaplain’s Corner – Oct. ’25