This Thursday is the birthday of a very special person in the lives of all of us... Our Heavenly Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Happy birthday, Mama!

What gift could we possibly give to such a good, loving mother? Maybe a rose or a candle, but I think she loves most the Holy Rosary. I couldn't find the source of where I heard this, but I think it was Archbishop Fulton Sheen who said that when we say the name of Mary, we give her a rose petal. When we say a Hail Mary, we give her a rose. And when we say a Rosary, we give her a whole bouquet of roses!

At Fatima, Mary asked the shepherd children, "Pray the rosary daily." The following are among some of the 15
promises of the rosary given by Mary to St. Dominic: "I promise my special protection and the greatest graces
to all those who shall recite the Rosary... The Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain
for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its
vanities, and will lift them to the desire for eternal things... You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation
of the Rosary... All who recite the Rosary are my sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters of my only Son
Jesus Christ."
The Rosary group will be meeting at 5:30 (after Mass) on Thursday to pray the Rosary. I’m sure Our Lady
would love you to give her the birthday present of joining them or praying the Rosary at home or as a family.
Happy Birthday, Holy Mother!