From the Friars: The Power of the Rosary

There were many Catholic families in my neighborhood where I grew up in Detroit. Most of the moms were in the Legion of Mary and I remember gathering in different homes for “the block Rosary.” I was always anxious to get the prayers over with so that I could play with my friends. My family also used to pray the Rosary in the car on long trips. It was not something I looked forward to, but there was a certain satisfaction in giving the time to God.

As the strange seventies began, my family drifted away from the Rosary and our faith in general, following the way of the secular culture. We were glued to the TV every night and filled our minds with Archie Bunker and MASH, rather than the life of Jesus. There were Rosaries around the house, along with Bibles and sacred images, but they became more like museum pieces.

Eventually, “life in the fast lane” brought the suffering that sin never fails to bring. In 1986 I came to a crisis where I was on the point of despair. Out of desperation I made a short but sincere prayer. Slowly things began to change. I started to go back to Mass and to read the Bible a bit. I made the commitment to pray the Rosary every Sunday. It seemed to take forever but I did it.

My return to the Church took the form of a zeal to do works of social justice. My plan was to teach in an inner-city High School, marry a holy but very pretty woman, coach basketball, and live happily ever after. God had a different plan. My oldest brother, having his own reversion experience, was influenced by Our Lady of Fatima and urged me to pray the Rosary every day.

Reading Our Lady of Fatima by William Thomas Walsh had a powerful impact. I bought a stack of these books and handed them out to friends and family. Praying the Rosary daily had a very noticeable effect. I finally asked the Lord what He wanted for my life. Fast forward to today, I am a priest at Holy Rosary Shrine, for which I will be forever grateful.

— Fr. Peter