My journey with the Rosary Congress started when I became involved with Adoration at my parish many years ago. At the time, I was unaware of what Adoration was and had always struggled at praying the Rosary. Then one day as I was leaving Mass, I was asked to commit to spending one hour with Our Lord in Adoration in our chapel. This was a weekly commitment. I was determined to keep my holy hour because I was at a point in my life where I desired to go deeper in my Catholic Faith. Every hour I spent with Jesus in silence brought me closer to Him and Him to me. Adoration felt like home, where my Father was there to greet me and to listen to my joys and sorrows. Many prayers were answered during this time.

After a couple years, I was asked to join the Adoration Ministry. Its goal was to ensure that there was Perpetual Adoration and that Our Lord was always in good company. Our parish held a special 150 Hours of Adoration where I served as Shift Captain. I was responsible for greeting the hourly adorers and possibly leading the Rosary which used to intimidate me. Well, I did have to lead the Rosary and to pray it out loud. Even though I was a cradle Catholic who had gone to Catholic schools throughout my early years, I was not taught to pray the Rosary on a regular basis, so I developed a reluctance towards it. But now after all the holy hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Rosary to Jesus through Mary, I was finally comfortable and at peace.

Two years ago, our parish held its first full Eucharistic Rosary Congress. I was the Adoration Coordinator and also a Shift Captain. With guidance from the Holy Spirit, all the holy hours were filled. I had no doubt that this week of intense prayer brought abundant graces, the effects of which we will never know. Last October, we held our second full Eucharistic Rosary Congress. This time I was the Main Coordinator and in addition served as Shift Captain again. The most rewarding part of my experience was witnessing the new adorers who came to adore Our Eucharistic Lord. They came consistently throughout the week with such joy and fervor in their hearts!

If you have never participated in the Eucharistic Rosary Congress, and there is one being held near you, I encourage you to take part in it. You will not be disappointed. A simple way to prepare for the Rosary Congress is to first go to Adoration. Whether you spend ten minutes or one hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, your presence is all that Our Lord desires. His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity are truly present in the Eucharist for us to receive. Another way to prepare for the Rosary Congress is to pray the Rosary. This spiritual weapon is a reminder of Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection. It is through our prayers to Mary which will always lead us closer to her Son, Jesus. May the Light of Christ and the love of Our Blessed Mother rest upon each of us always.