Chaplain Chronicles: Beads Become Prayers

In August, three of my Rochester, Minnesota Franciscan Sisters came to tour St. Anthony Foundation, and to serve our dining room guests.  As they approached St Anthony’s doorway, they saw me.  I was in front of the building giving away rosaries to those who requested one.  “What’s a rosary?” you may ask.  A rosary is a mantra prayer form composed of five sets of ten beads.  Persons pray the rosary by saying a prayer on each bead and some wear the rosary around their necks as a prayer of protection.

One of my Sisters who returned to Minnesota told her housemate, Sister Jan, about the persons who were requesting rosaries at St. Anthony’s.  A few weeks later Sister Jan called me.  She told me she had a group of ladies at Pax Christi Church who would make rosaries for us, and would send them to us monthly.  “Let me know what you need,” she said.

My simple act of responding to a request caused outstretched hands from the Midwest to form community with us.  Across the miles their beads are becoming our prayers.

In photo: Sr. Andrea gives a rosary to a Dining Room guest.