The Holy Rosary EWTN.

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"Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been so favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary" (Pope Pius IX). The rosary probably began as a practice by the laity to imitate the monastic Divine Office (Breviary or Liturgy of the Hours), during the course of which the monks daily prayed the 150 Psalms. The laity, many of whom could not read, substituted 50, or even 150, Ave Marias (Hail Marys) for the Psalms. This prayer, at least the first half of it so directly biblically, seems to date from as early as the 2nd century, as ancient graffiti at Christian sites has suggested. Sometimes a cord with knots on it was used to keep an accurate count of the Aves. The first clear historical reference to the rosary, however, is from the life of St. Dominic (died in 1221), the founder of the Order of Preachers or Dominicans. He preached a form of the rosary in France at the time that the Albigensian heresy was devastating the Faith there. Tradition has it that the Blessed Mother herself asked for the practice as an antidote for heresy and sin. One of Dominic's future disciples, Alain de Roche, began to establish Rosary Confraternities to promote the praying of the rosary. The form of the rosary we have today is believed to date from his time. Over the centuries the saints and popes have highly recommended the rosary, the greatest prayer in the Church after the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours. Not surprisingly, it's most active promoters have been Dominicans. Rosary means a crown of roses, a spiritual bouquet given to the Blessed Mother. It is sometimes called the Dominican Rosary, to distinguish it from other rosary-like prayers (e.g. the Franciscan Rosary of the Seven Joys or Franciscan Crown, the Servite Rosary of the Seven Sorrows). It is also, in a general sense, a form of chaplet or corona (crown), of which there are many varieties in the Church. Finally, in English it has been called "Our Lady's Psalter" or "the beads." This last derives from an Old English word for prayers (bede) and to request (biddan or bid). The rosary has been called the preparation for contemplation and the prayer of saints. While the hands and lips are occupied with the prayers (it can and should be prayed silently when necessary so as not to disturb others), the mind meditates on the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption represented by the decades. Meditation is the form of prayer by which the one who prays uses the mind and imagination to consider a truth and uses the will to love it and form resolutions to live it. In this way the heart, mind, and soul of the Christian is formed according to the Gospel examples of the Savior and His First Disciple, His Mother. In God's own time, when this purification of the heart, mind, and soul has advanced sufficiently the Lord may give the grace of contemplative prayer, that special divine insight into the truth which human effort cannot achieve on its own. Why pray the Rosary today? Certainly, to grow in holiness and in one's prayer life. The following are a few others reasons why the rosary should be prayed often, even daily: "Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world" (Our Lady of Ftima). "There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the family . . . than the daily recitation of the Rosary" (Pope Pius XII). "We do not hesitate to affirm again publicly that we put great confidence in the Holy Rosary for the healing of evils of our times" (Pope Pius XII). "No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary" (Bishop Hugh Doyle). "The Rosary is a magnificent and universal prayer for the needs of the Church, the nations and the entire world" (Pope John XXIII). "The Rosary is the compendium of the entire Gospel" (Pope Paul VI quoting Pope Pius XII). "Meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary . . . can be an excellent preparation for the celebration of those same mysteries in the liturgical actions [i.e. the Mass] and can also become a continuing echo thereof" (Pope Paul VI). "My impression is that the Rosary is of the greatest value not only according to the words of Our Lady at Ftima, but according to the effects of the Rosary one sees throughout history. My impression is that Our Lady wanted to give ordinary people, who might not know how to pray, this simple method of getting closer to God" (Sister Lucia, one of the seers of Ftima). "How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening" (Pope John Paul II). Pope John Paul II has called the Rosary his "favorite prayer," after the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. St. Louis de Montfort warns us against both the ignorant and scholars who regard the Rosary as something of little importance..."the Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God."

MASS SCHEDULE, INTENTIONS, SCRIPTURE READINGS AND FEAST DAYS

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Holy Day of OBG Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 24 Oct. 25 Oct. 26 Oct. 27 Sat. Oct. 27 Sun. Oct. 28 4:30 p.m 6:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 8:30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Chariton Sacred Heart, Chariton Betty Hurley Candelaria Cibon Ephesians 2:1-10 Luke 12:13-21 Ephesians 2:12-22 Luke 12:35-38 Ephesians 3:2-12 Luke 12:39-48 Ephesians 3:14-21 Luke 12:49-53 Ephesians 4:1-6 Luke 12:54-59 Ephesians 4:7-16 Luke 13:1-9 Feast of Our Lord (Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude) Optional Memorial of St. John of Capestrano, Priest Optional Memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop

Father Pisut will be at a conference on Sacred Architecture.

No Morning Mass

Sacred Heart, Chariton Mary Alyce Sellers Saint Francis, Corydon All Parishioners Jeremiah 31:7-9 Hebrews 5:1-6 8:00 a.m. Saint Brendan, Leon Louis Van Ert Mark 10:46-52 10:30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Chariton Roy Bingham

Mass Schedule for All Saints St. Brendan, Leon- Wednesday, October 31 at 4:00 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi, Corydon- Wed., October 31 at 6:00 p.m. Sacred Heart, Chariton- Thurs., November 1at 6:00 p.m. with reception to follow Mass.

All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation All Souls Day Sacred Heart, Chariton- Friday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. Smoked Pork Loin Dinner/ Baked Goods Sale is October 27 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Chariton First Presbyterian Church. Call (641)774-2436 for carryout and delivery. Everyone welcome. Book Club meets meets Sunday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Dwight and Connie Hoch. The book that will be discussed is A Man of the Beatitudes: Pier Giorgio Frassati by Luciana Frassati All are welcome to join.

SACRED HEART CHARITON

Tithes- $1,104 Thanks to those who participated in our rosary rally on October 13. You joined other people in prayer in over 9000 rosary rallies across America and in 36 countries all around the world. October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. In order to honor her throughout the month there will be fresh flowers placed in front of the altars. If you would like to donate please put money in an envelope marked Marys Flowers in the collection basket or drop off at the office. Religious Education is Wednesday, October 24 at 6-7:30 p.m. Bible Study Epic is Wed., Oct. 24 from 6:00 -7:30 p.m. The Great Adventure is Wed., Oct. 24 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. and Thurs., Oct. 18 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Session 3 questions will be discussed. There will be a reception after Mass on November 1 to continue in the honoring of the beloved saints of our Catholic faith. The Knights of Columbus will be providing beef and pork. WOSH is going to prepare a hot dish. Please bring a dish or dessert to share. Collection of food for the Ministry Center is the 3rd Sunday of the month. The Ministry Center thanks you for the items we have donated. There is ALWAYS a need for paper productstoothpaste, toilet paper, diapers as the Center can only purchase food items. Sacred Heart Melchers Fall Dinner is Sun., Oct. 28 from 11-1:30 p.m. the menu includes roasted turkey, ham, homemade noodles, dressing, mashed potatoes, home-made pies, etc. For more details see the flyer in the back of the church. Women--is someone hitting you or your children? There is help. Call the 24-hour Crisis line 641-673-5499 or 1-800-270-1620

SAINT FRANCIS CORYDON

Tithes- $292

SAINT BRENDAN LEON

Tithes- $848 Finance Council will meet Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m. Parish Council will meet Wednesday, October 24 at 4:30 p.m. High School will be attending the Youth Rally in Panora on Sunday, October 28 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Please pray for us! Religious Education is Wed., Oct. 24 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. High School Youth will meet Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 6:307:45 p.m. The last Sunday of the month (October 28) is a potluck after Mass. Please join us. St. Brendans Craft Show Food Concession: Saturday, November 10 at Central Decatur High School: Please pick up a work schedule and food donation list at the back of the church. Remaining lists will be mailed. If you are not listed to work or donate a food item, please know that your support in the form of cash donations or stopping in on the 10th to help in any way will be greatly appreciated. Donations of cash should be directed to Jean Campbell 446-4533 or Rita Audlehelm 445-5641.