• Holy Rosary Shrine - Santuario del Santo Rosario
    Holy Rosary Shrine - Santuario del Santo Rosario

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Come, Contemplate with Mary the Face of Christ

Holy Rosary Shrine is dedicated to fostering union with Jesus through Our Blessed Mother and her Holy Rosary. Central to our mission is beautiful and reverent worship, preaching His Word, devotional and evangelization events, and service to those in need. Staffed by the Franciscans of the Poor Christ, we offer extended hours for the Sacrament of Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, retreat days and Franciscan and Marian spiritual formation. The Shrine has a rich history of being home to many different ethnic groups in the "Immigrant City" of Lawrence, Massachusetts which continues to this day.

Confession Times

Confession Times

Information about confession times and days and how to make a good confession.

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How to Pray the Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary Center & Confraternity. Promoting devotion to the Rosary for more than 500 years.

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Rosarium Virginis Mariae

Rosarium Virginis Mariae

Letter from St. John Paul II about the importance of the Holy Rosary.

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From the Friars: Holy Communion

Jesus said, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (Jn 6:52) Although we know that the whole Christ is present under each species in Holy Communion, receiving under both kinds makes the fulfillment of this command of Our Lord more clearly visible. At Holy Rosary Shrine we will soon be offering the option to receive Jesus under both species by intinction. Prior to this we will be reminding people of the proper way to receive the Holy Eucharist and of the importance of spiritual preparation and time for thanksgiving.

St. John Paul II wrote in his 2003 encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia that he wanted to rekindle our amazement at this greatest gift that God has given us, His very self, hidden under the appearance of bread and wine. Indeed, what could be more amazing than to receive the living God into our very bodies. The Divine Life we are given in Baptism is nourished by the Bread of Life. But if that state of grace is lost due to serious sin the person becomes spiritually dead, separated from God. They must first be reconciled in the Sacrament of Confession before they can receive. To go to Communion in a state of mortal sin is itself a grave sin of sacrilege.

The Church requires that we fast for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. It is very appropriate that we prepare our heart and body for the King of Kings to enter into us. If the Pope or some other important person were going to visit our home, would we not work to prepare a clean and worthy place for them? How much more so for Jesus Himself. And after we have consumed the host the Real Presence of Christ is within us for about ten to fifteen minutes. These are the most precious moments of our lives. Let us spend them well, adoring and thanking Our Lord so intimately united to us.

Painting of Jesus holding up an Eucharist

Christ and the Eucharist, by Juan de Juanes – Public Domain, Link

Flyers will be available in the church to explain the proper way to receive Holy Communion. We ask everyone to review them carefully. Please do not assume that you are receiving correctly because many do not.

Thank you.
“Do this in memory of me.” (Lk 22:19)
–Fr. Peter