​Just a few weeks ago, another one of our parish sons, John LoCoco was ordained to the transitional diaconate in Rome.  He joins his classmate and another one of our parish sons, Deacon Will Arnold (ordained in April) in beginning their final months of preparation and formation for ordination to the priesthood in May of next year.  It has been many decades since two young men from the same parish were ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on the same day.  This will be a great moment of celebration in their own lives and for their families as well as for the entire parish.  We have been very blessed to have had, along with Patrick Magnor also in formation, three parish sons studying for the priesthood over these past few years.  In order to mark this occasion St. Mary’s will be giving both Deacon LoCoco and Deacon Arnold an ordination gift.  A number of people have asked me if they can contribute to cover the cost of that gift and the answer is – yes!  If you would like to give a donation for ordination gifts for them, please simply make your donation out to St. Mary’s Visitation Parish and mark on the memo line: Ordination Gifts.  They can be mailed directly to me, dropped off at the Rectory or placed in a separate envelope with “Ordination Gifts” marked on the outside and placed into the collection basket at Sunday Mass. 

Speaking of vocations, if you or someone you know is considering a vocation to the priesthood, the diaconate or the religious life, please feel free to contact me, I would be happy to assist anyone who is thinking and discerning their calls.  Of course, one can always look at the vocations office website, www.thinkpriest.org for more information and resources.

I think that any of our parish seminarians would point out how important prayer has been to the discernment of their call.  If we think of the Eucharist as food for the soul, then prayer is the soul’s breath.  This past October 7th we celebrated the 32nd Anniversary of our Perpetual Adoration Chapel.  When we step back to consider such an amazing history we can only begin to imagine the many vocations that have been discerned there, burdens lifted, strength offered, problems solved and thanks uttered in that chapel.  Be sure to make a regular visit to the Chapel part of your own prayer life and, if you are so inclined, to consider committing one hour a week as a regular adorer or to sign up as a substitute for when needed.  Information on our Chapel is provided in every weekend bulletin.

Also this past October 7th, the parish launched a new initiative which you have probably seen in the bulletin – The Memorare Society.  The Memorare Society is a group designed for parishioners who make a planned gift to the parish, whether while still alive, or as part of their estate.  No matter how large or how small that gift, remembering the parish in that way is a great gift to the entire parish community.  If you would like more information on The Memorare Society or have already made a planned gift or have made allowances for the parish as part of your estate or would like information on how to do so, please contact Cheryl Peters, our Director of Finance.  She will be happy to assist you and the entire parish will thank you.
As I wrote at the very beginning of this column we are privileged to have three sons of this parish in formation for the priesthood – did you know that it is the Catholic Stewardship Appeal that provides a large funding source for priestly formation?  Along with this the Catholic Stewardship Appeal helps the Archdiocese to function, forms future priests and deacons, and assists the poor and the disadvantaged.  It relies on the generosity of each one of us to make this all possible.  I would like to ask you to consider making a donation to the annual Catholic Stewardship Appeal.  If you would like more information on how to donate, please go to their website: https://www.archmil.org/2017-catholic-appeal/home.htm.
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Finally, be sure to remember that this coming Wednesday is the Feast of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation.  Masses will be celebrated at 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.  

During this month of October, the Church turns her attention in a particular way to Our Lady of the Rosary.  In last weekend’s bulletin we laid out the Rosary and how to pray it, in this weekend’s bulletin we are including the Litany of Loreto, one of the litanies which mediates on the various titles given to the Blessed Mother and which can be added to one’s praying of the rosary either before the rosary is prayed or after.  It is also fitting to pray this Litany whenever we have the opportunity as a way of asking Our Lady for help and assistance.

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.                                                                                           
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
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Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, (pray for us…)
Holy Virgin of virgins, 
Mother of Christ, 
Mother of the Church, 
Mother of divine grace, 
Mother most pure, 
Mother most chaste, 
Mother inviolate, 
Mother undefiled, 
Mother most amiable, 
Mother admirable, 
Mother of good counsel, 
Mother of our Creator, 
Mother of our Saviour, 
Mother of mercy, 
Virgin most prudent, 
Virgin most venerable, 
Virgin most renowned, 
Virgin most powerful, 
Virgin most merciful, 
Virgin most faithful, 
Mirror of justice, 
Seat of wisdom, 
Cause of our joy, 
Spiritual vessel, 
Vessel of honour, 
Singular vessel of devotion, 
Mystical rose, 
Tower of David, 
Tower if ivory, House of gold, 
Ark of the covenant, 
Gate of heaven, 
Morning star, 
Health of the sick, 
Refuge of sinners, 
Comfort of the afflicted, 
Help of Christians, 
Queen of Angels, 
Queen of Patriarchs, 
Queen of Prophets, 
Queen of Apostles, 
Queen of Martyrs, 
Queen of Confessors, 
Queen of Virgins, 
Queen of all Saints, 
Queen conceived without original sin, 
Queen assumed into heaven, 
Queen of the most holy Rosary, 
Queen of families, 
Queen of peace.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, 
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, 
graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, 
have mercy on us.

​Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. 
Grant, we beseech thee, 
O Lord God, 
that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; 
and by the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, 
may be delivered from present sorrow, 
and obtain eternal joy. 
Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

(This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year).

During this month of October, the Church turns her attention in a particular way to Our Lady of the Rosary.  In last weekend’s bulletin we discussed this title of the Blessed Virgin Mary and both this weekend and next weekend you will find devotions which can be used in your own prayer life as we honor Our Lady of the Rosary.  The most obvious devotion for the month of Our Lady of the Rosary is the Rosary itself!  Here is how one prays the Rosary:
On the crucifix, make the sign of the cross and then pray the Apostles’ Creed.
 
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
 
On the next large bead, say the Our Father.
 
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
 
On the following three small beads, pray three Hail Marys.
 
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
On the chain, pray the Glory Be.
 
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
 
Many now add the prayer of Our Lady of Fatima also on the chain.
 
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
 
Pray the first of the mysteries that you are meditating on (Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation; The Visitation; The Nativity; The Presentation; The Finding of the Boy Jesus in the Temple; Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony in the Garden, The Scouraging at the Pillar, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord; The Glorious Mysteries: The Ressurection, the Ascension, Pentecost, the Assumption, the Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen; The Luminous Mysteries: The Baptism of the Lord, The Wedding at Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom, The Transfigurationon, the Institution of the Eucharist) and pray the Our Father followed by ten Hail Mary’s on the small beeds.  The a Glory be, etc. until all five decades have been prayed.  At the end of your Rosary, say the Hail Holy Queen.
 
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
 
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
 
(This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year).

As was mentioned in the bulletin a few weeks ago, over the course of the year I’d like to write a series of bulletin articles focusing in on the traditional monthly devotions of the Church – each part of the series will include an article focusing in on the monthly devotion and be followed with articles which contain prayers that one can use to mark this month and so enter more fully into the mystery or person we are honoring in a particular way.  The month of October is the month of Our Lady of the Rosary  
The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th, hence the devotion to her of this month. The Collect of the Mass of Our Lady of the Rosary is:

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,
your grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son
was made known by the message of an Angel,
may, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
by his Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever.  Amen.
 
This prayer will probably be familiar to many as part of the prayers of the Angelus.  When we pray the Rosary we are invited to enter into the mysteries of the life of Our Lord and of Our Lady.  During the praying of each decade we spend time pondering and contemplating the incident which is presented to us and place ourselves “there” with Our Lady so as to come to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of our faith.  The use of the rosary goes back to the time in the Church’s life when many Catholics sought to repeat the 150 psalms daily, hence the traditional use of 150 Hail Mary’s in the Rosary.  The Rosary itself developed in the Middle Ages and was greatly promoted by St. Dominic and the Dominicans.  It is hard to find a saint that would not promote and praise as a most worthy prayer the Rosary of Our Lady.  For many the Rosary is a part of their daily prayer life and the Rosary is promoted as a perfect prayer for a family to pray together on a daily basis.  Praying the rosary regularly has brought much solace and comfort to countless souls, been that which has strengthened the bonds of family, been a seedbed for vocations and a great tool to aid in the conversion of others or to be offered for a particular intention. 

Traditionally there are Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary – the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries.  They are traditionally prayed on specific days, so the Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Mondays and Thursdays, the Sorrowful on Tuesdays and Fridays and the Glorious on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.  In 2002, Pope St. John Paul II added the option of the Luminous Mysteries to be prayed on Thursdays.
There are numerous books and articles, etc., on the Rosary and so a list of them would be exhaustive, however, you may want to consider look at “The Rosary of Our Lady” by Romano Guardini, “The Secret of the Rosary” by St. Louis de Montfort, “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” Apostolic Letter of John Paul II, or “The Excellence of the Rosary” by Rev. M.J. Frings.  Finally, in light of the number of monthly devotions that are centered on Our Lady it may be of value to purchase a copy of “The Glories of Mary” by St. Alphonsus Liguori – a true treasure in reflecting on the Blessed Mother.
 
(This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year).
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