Dear members and supporters of the Diocesan Rosary Congresses,

I was born and raised Catholic, but as I entered my late teens and early twenties I drifted from my Catholic faith. I believe this was because I didn’t take ownership of my faith. Going to church and receiving the sacraments was something that I had to do, not necessarily what I wanted to do, which led me to become angry with God. Had I gone to church out of love and longing to spend time with the Lord, I would have done those things freely. The Lord had a plan for my life, but my heart wasn’t in the right place yet.

Once I started having my children, I could sense that Mary was gently guiding me back to her Son. The walls that I had built around my heart were slowly beginning to break down. During a traumatic time in my life, my heart was finally at a point where the Lord and our Lady could begin their work in my life. I began to desire to go to church, Eucharistic adoration, and receive the sacraments. My faith was coming alive. I was reading the scriptures, spending time in prayer praying the rosary, and reading books on the saints and the spiritual life. I was experiencing many graces.

Years later, I was diagnosed with cancer, and I could truly feel the presence of our Lord and our Lady. The Lord was helping me to love Him more and to truly put my trust in Him regardless of the circumstances. The Lourdes Grotto in Emmitsburg, Maryland became my place of refuge. After my initial diagnosis, I was able to receive the Sacrament of the Sick under the big statue of Mary. Prior to my surgery, I received the Sacrament of the Sick at The Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

As a way to give thanks to Our Lord and Our Lady, I became involved with the Diocesan Rosary Congresses. While participating in Eucharistic Adoration and praying the Rosary as well as helping to coordinate several Rosary Congresses, I could always feel such a deep sense of love, a love that goes beyond feeling desired by God. It was a love that brings a sense of peace and immense joy all the while feeling like the only one out of millions of people that the Lord wants to be with.

If you have the opportunity to participate in a local Rosary Congress, you will undoubtedly be showered with many graces and be able to experience the most indescribable love which is the closest feeling to Heaven on Earth.

Blessings,