Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Saint Katharine and the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary



         I am Stephanie Morris, formerly the Director of Archives of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and an Associate of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (ASBS). Sister Annette Marie O’Donnell had begun this blog as “Companions on the Journey” but has retired from actively writing. St. Katharine said we are all typewriters in the hands of the Lord; it has been a pleasure and privilege for me to serve as St. Katharine’s typist for many years.

There are some special dates to recall in March. Saint Katharine’s feast day is March 3. The Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1889, was important in Kate’s giving of herself to service to the Lord and to founding the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. March 17, the Feast of St. Patrick, is important as the patronal feast of Archbishop Patrick Joseph Ryan of Philadelphia, who became Kate’s spiritual director and worked with her in organizing the SBS.

         Last month we looked at the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, with some of St. Katharine’s observations. This month, we will look at the Glorious Mysteries, which begin with the Easter sign of Christ’s Resurrection.

GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

1.   RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain.” But Christ did rise, and our faith is not in vain. St. Katharine knew that “the Resurrection of Our Savior is the very first fact on which our faith rests.”

     2. ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN

         “This is the Feast of the Ascension and the day on which our Lord Himself blessed His apostles as He disappeared from their sight in the clouds.  I have begged Him very specially to bless each one of you and to give you that particular place and throne in Heaven that He intends and has prepared for you amidst eternal joys.  We will all get that throne provided we are faithful to our call and to our Lord’s inspiration of grace to each one.”

         Men in white robes told the apostles not to stand around doing nothing. The apostles “went forth …while the Lord worked with them.

         Just as the apostles were called to go forth, so too are and were the SBS, and the ASBS called to “go forth” and do whatever Our Lord asks of us. As St. Katharine said, “provided we are faithful to our call,” we can hope for eternal salvation, What is our call? To use the gifts God gave us for the glory of His name. Whether as teachers, parents, religious, or called to a quiet ministry at home, we are each called to do something.

         May we always remember that our lives will not end on earth; we are called to ascend with our Lord to our eternal home.

3.   DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Acts of the Apostles tell us that “suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. … And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”

"The Holy Ghost is ever within me—the presence of God."

The Holy Spirit came to us in a special way in Confirmation. There may not have been a sound like the rush of a mighty wind, but the Holy Spirit came just as strongly as it did on the first Pentecost.

         The Holy Spirit is ever with us, to provide the grace we need to be the person God wishes us to be.

     4. ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY INTO HEAVEN

         “During this Octave of the Assumption often think of the joys of heaven and that these are to be yours.”

         “Make it yours by corresponding with every grace.”

Clearly, Jesus did not want to leave His Mother alone on earth; He brought her home to Him in heaven. This privilege can be ours, if we are faithful to our prayers and to the graces given us.

Can we imagine the joys of Heaven? Pray that we will never lose sight of the graces that enable us to reach our heavenly home.

     5. CROWNING OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

"Contemplate Our Blessed Lady, with what unspeakable gladness she beholds all these things, - seated familiarly beside her Son, ministering to His needs with great joy."

Mary is our Queen and advocate; go to her with your needs and fears. In heaven, Mary received the recognition of her life of faith and loyalty to God’s call. We may never be crowned kings or queens, but we are crowned daily by the love, respect, and cooperation of family, friends, and co-workers.

 

Stephanie Morris, ASBS

February 20, 2024