For many families, the Rosary has become a thing of the past and a forgotten prayer. Pope John Paul II dedicated his apostolic letter of October 16, 2002, to the rosary.

The Pope wanted us to "come and see how to pray" the powerful and contemplative prayer of the Rosary, bringing one into Mary's school house, while we are her students.

The Rosary is the prayer offered in Mary's company, bringing us face to face with Christ, while Mary is our guide, lifting us into a path of contemplative prayer. This precisely starts with Mary's experience, with Mary treasuring in her heart the words of our everyday life. What is really important about the Rosary is the fact that we experience it as a path of contemplation, while Mary is the model.

It is a gift, in the same way as the Holy Eucharist. What we say is contemplative, as we release the fire of graces as the mystery of incarnation opens up. It allows entry into the merit of Mary. By contemplating the face of Christ in the presence of Mary, we come into the realities of ourselves in our true life.

It makes us follow on the spiritual journey which takes us through the pattern of beads, all converging on the Crucifix, the centre of life of a Christian. We begin our journey as we begin our Christian life - the Cross, the redemption. All in Christ spiritually is done through redemption - the journey of the beads, a sweet chain that leads us to Christ that links us to Mary our Mother.

The Pope tells us to look at the beads and think of our relationships and bring all our family, friends, and enemies and bring them all into the presence of Jesus Christ.

The intention to recite the Rosary on Thursday is to remember when the Eucharist was established and to pray with two intentions: for peace and family life.

People finding it difficult to recite the Rosary may e-mail me at fitzpatr@maltanet.net or send a text message to 7942 6773.