Passing it On
Last November I joined my sister Mary Ann and 2 of her daughters on a retreat led by Immaculee Ilibagiza. Hearing in person, how she survived the Rowandan genocide was a profound experience. She talked about how praying the rosary over and over during the 91 days she and 7 other women hid in a small bathroom brought her to a place of trust and forgiveness. A forgiveness that defied the horror of the genocide and let her move into a future of hope.
Imacculee also shared about the Kibeho apparitions and Our Lady's desire for us to be praying the 7 Sorrows Rosary. A chaplet that reflects on Mary's 7 sorrows that she suffered as Jesus' mother. Mary asked the visionary Marie Claire Mukangango to start a resurgence of this devotion which she did until her death during the genocide. This chaplet had been started by the Servite Order in the 13th century and the Blessed Virgin revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) 7 graces granted to those who meditated on her 7 sorrows.
I know I wasn't the only one that left the retreat with a new appreciation of the Rosary and a desire to be praying it more. My prayer life has also been enriched with the addition of praying the 7 Sorrows chaplet. Mary Ann and I have found it hard to keep a 7 Sorrows rosary. We are often in contact relaying the latest situation where we felt led to give ours away. In my own small way I feel called to be part of spreading the gift of the 7 Sorrows. That's behind my design of the 7 Sorrows Rosary Wrap. Praying, that being part of passing on reflections of Mary's perfect, loving response to injustice and suffering, we can all live in a future of hope. Please, pass it on.
Blessings, Carolyn
Immaculee's website sells great resources on the rosary and the 7 Sorrows chaplet.
Some of my favorite websites for reflections on Mary's 7 Sorrows.
http://www.sorrowfulmother.net/seven-sorrows-rosary.html
http://www.rosaryandchaplets.com/chaplets/seven_sorrows_prayer.html
http://www.dominicannuns.ie/reflections/marys-sorrows.html