A catalogue from Aid To the Church in Need (here) came through my letter-box the other day. I never usually buy things from catalogues, but decided to browse through this one - especially as ACN is my favourite charity! Whilst flicking through the pages, I noticed that they sell beautiful booklets on the rosary - called The Rosary Book - which come with a free set of beads blessed by the Pope (here)!I have no idea how long ACN has been selling these books, and giving away the rosaries, but this was the first time I'd noticed them. Needless to say, I immediately got out my cheque-book and sent off for some copies of The Rosary Book. They arrived this morning, with a corresponding number of blessed rosaries. My plan is to keep one book and set of beads for myself, and give the others away - mainly to friends of mine who are mentally or physically ill or disabled, and to those preparing to be received into full communion with the Church.
In fact, a friend of mine will be at St George's Cathedral (Southwark) tomorrow, and I plan to give him one of these booklets and rosaries then. He will be attending the Rite of Election at the Cathedral, as he and about 40 others from his parish are preparing to join the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham - being received into full communion this Easter. Hopefully, a rosary blessed by the Pope will help him and his wife as they journey through Lent towards a greater commitment to Christ and towards union with the See of Peter.
Some people received rosaries blessed by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit the UK last year. In fact, I know that the English and Welsh seminarians received some, as I was shown one by a friend of mine who's training for the priesthood. The ones that come with the Aid to the Church in Need booklet are the same as those distributed to the seminarians. They're very elegant and light, and also come with their own Papal crested pouch.
The Rosary Book itself is a gem, and has stunning illustrations for each mystery. Each decade is introduced in the booklet with a reading from Scripture, a meditation and a prayer. They're well worth buying! It is a bonus to know that by doing so, not only are we supporting the best Catholic charity out there, but we also get a very special freebie!
To purchase yours, please visit the Aid to the Church in Need website (here). There are also many other wonderful things for sale in the charity's on-line shop!
[Picture note: The Rosary Book and free rosary blessed by Pope Benedict XVI as they appear on the Aid to the Church in Need website (here)]
NB - All the rosaries were blessed by the Pope with the intention of supporting the charity's work, so do not need to be re-blessed - as would happen if one were to buy / be given a sacred object that had been blessed for another purpose / person. Also, as the rosary comes free with the booklet no form of simony is involved in the purchase - as the blessed object / sacramental is being given away freely.
2 comments:
They have been doing this for years! I got a set Blessed by Pope John Paul II about 10 years ago and when my Uncle was ill with Parkinsons disease I passed it on to my Aunt, a lifelong member of the(Congregational) United reformed church, she was very touched and has told me she found great comfort in holding it while she prayed (although she doesnt actually pray THE Rosary as such. I now have a Pope Benedict one.
@ diddleymaz
LOL - just goes to show that I'm not very good at noticing things!
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