How to Save your Family from Failure, with the Rosary
by Rita Davidson
When I started out as a new mother, my faith was the last thing on my mind. Growing up in a Catholic home, we went to Sunday Mass each week without fail. But that is where my faith stopped.
Catholic schools in the 60’s, were busy teaching how to love, and be friends and encourage everyone to hug at the middle of Mass. Catechism lessons were unheard of but I have drawings from Grade 5 religion class with a Menorah and other ‘peace’ religion items that today are a shock to my eyes.
This was how I started out with the faith, and once life hit, and adulthood loomed the faith was a fond memory if anything.
Fast forward to a few children later, and the rosary was the first thing I had to teach myself. Saying the rosary was a real effort in humility for me, as it was embarrassing for me to say something that was so foreign to me. But I persevered and we spent many years saying it faithfully. I never said a rosary with my own mother until I was nearly 40 years old. How much of the faith was lost!
Fast forward as our own children got older; the rosary still on my list, but more often forgotten. As our children grew, lives got busier and we started dealing with scrupulous souls, it was hard to see how to fit in more religion when it was already ‘too much’ for some of our children struggling to know God.
Now I look back, with my three oldest children off in the world, without the faith and wonder where did I go wrong?
I tried to make all the right choices, but the devil got the better of me I guess. In hindsight I see how I omitted the most important thing of all, to keep my children in the faith:
The Daily Rosary.
It seemed every time it was time to say the rosary, there was one or another obstacle.
Not able to round everyone up.
Doing errands late at night so rosary got forgotten.
A movie or something put on before the rosary was remembered and got set aside.
Children acting up and not able to settle down.
Having a late supper and by the time that was done, it was forgotten.
And on the excuses went.
While we lead a Catholic life in the day, it was the important grace from the rosary that was missing in our lives. How much I will have to pay for this omission I will never know in this life? But, I share this if only to save you from the pain I have experienced.
If you are hoping to save your children in this world and get them through to adulthood as Catholics, the rosary cannot be omitted. I cannot say this enough. Our Lady of Fatima came down to remind us. Regardless of the obstacles, a way must be found.
Whether you have to drag your children from all parts of the house.
Or have them all lay on the floor to say it.
Or say it in the car if you can.
Whether you say it while kids are noisy or while some are not around.
Please say it.
While I cannot know all the causes of this breach in our family. I have paid the price from my failure to continue this practice, by being distracted every time it was time for us to say the rosary. I now have a lifetime of sorrow from losing my daughters to the world. Though I have hope that God will find another path for their return, it is my responsibility to pray for that success now.
May you love your children enough, to find a way to embrace them. And more importantly pass on to them the habit of saying the rosary that may one day save them.
What sorrows have you had from neglecting the rosary ? Or what success have you had you can share with me today ? Does your rosary need dusting off ?
©Copyright 2012 Rita Davidson All Rights Reserved.
Rita is a Catholic wife and mother of seven children. She reverted back to the faith when her oldest was making her First Communion. By then, she had completed degrees in Hairdressing and Make up artistry. She went on to receive a degree in Natural Health and another degree in Art. At age 26, Rita suffered a minor stroke. With no lasting effects, this dramatically changed her outlook on life. In 1996, Rita began ‘Little Flowers Family Apostolates’ to reach out to other families with her new found faith, by creating unique Catholic books and resources.. In 1999, she wrote the bestselling, ‘Immodesty; Satan’s Virtue’. She was editor of ‘The Catholic Health Letter’ for 7 years. She has been a homeschooling mom for 20+ years, and has written for various magazines. She is honored that families have trusted her with their questions, needs and concerns over the years. She continues to write and reach out to Catholic families with her husband, Mark and their 4 boys through http://www.LittleFlowersFamilyPress.com
Leave a Reply