08/07/2024
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
I have a precious memory that goes back to 1950, when Father Patrick Peyton came to the Saskatchewan prairies, preaching the rosary. His motto, "The family that prays together stays together," made a great impression on many of us who lived in the region.
I know the influence it had on our family, as we pledged, along with many other families, to say the rosary as a family. Kneeling on the hard kitchen floor, we gathered together (my parents and the ten of us children) for this evening prayer. Praying the rosary together is still one of my treasured family memories.
When we still gather for family events, especially in times of illness or death, the rosary is still prayed together and continues to give us renewed strength. I know it does that for me, and I am sure I can include my other family members, too. All of us carry a rosary around in our pockets or purses, ready for this wonderful prayer to our Blessed Mother.
For years, my brother Jacob Elder has made hundreds of rosaries, which he freely gives to others. The only request he has is that the recipient say at least one rosary for him. His faith in this prayer, I am quite certain, dates back to our family rosary. We've had many blessings as a family, and I still have great faith in Father Peyton's motto: "The family that prays together stays together."
Sr. Theresia E. Scarborough, Ontario, Canada