Prior to our marriage, one of the prayers that Maureen and I often shared together was the rosary. Forty years later—having just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary—it remains a daily part of our life. The rosary has been our anchor through both joys and challenges, in good times and in hard times. It has steadied not only our marriage, but also our family.
Throughout our marriage, we prayed for world peace, the healing and conversion of others, the faithful departed, the unborn and for a child we had adopted spiritually. In time, God blessed us with the birth of our son, Andrew, and also with our adopted son, Anthony. He has since richly blessed us with a wonderful daughter-in-law, Katie and five precious grandchildren.
Over the years, several couples have asked us to pray for them as they hoped to have a child. Time and again, we have witnessed the loving intercession of Mary, who hears our prayers and presents them to God. In more recent years, Maureen and I have added an intercessory prayer between each decade of the rosary. Alongside praying for the special intentions of those who reach out to us, we consecrate each member of our family and others to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We firmly believe that the best way we can be present for others is to lift them up in daily prayer.
The rosary, like all prayer, moves us to action—prompting us to reach out to those in need and giving us the grace and strength to offer help where it is most needed. We encourage everyone to pray the rosary faithfully each day—whether on your own, with your spouse, as a family or within your parish community. As Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., reminded us so beautifully: “A family that prays together stays together.”