Amazing Catechists

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What did St. Thomas Aquinas Write About the Immaculate Conception?

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Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Gospel Reflection for Catechists – December 8, 2025

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

You can find today’s Mass readings here.

The Gospel

Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

The Core Message

Be sure to read and reflect on all of the readings for today! I love how the first reading is about Adam and Eve, so that we can more fully embrace and appreciate the Gospel on the New Eve (Mary!). Mary was conceived without original sin, and she always did the will of God perfectly and completely.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”*

Connection to Aquinas: ST III, Q.27, a.4–5

Many sections of the Summa are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, the dogma of Our Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Conception was not defined until 1854 by Pope Pius IX (Aquinas lived from 1225-1274). Interestingly, Aquinas did prepare for and provide a foundation for the dogma of the Immaculate Conception! He knew she was cleansed of original sin at some point in the womb, but just didn’t pinpoint exactly when (ST III, Q.27, a.2), and he laid crucial groundwork to lead to discussions and confirmation that Mary was conceived “full of grace.” (ST III, Q.27, a.5). He did determine that she was sanctified before birth, but he does not conclude exactly when she was freed from original sin.

The Summa is an absolutely fantastic reference and resource that paved the way for our modern catechisms (in fact, it is quoted abundantly in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so we should look to it for guidance, knowledge, understanding and wisdom), but we know that Aquinas was not infallible. He was a human too, after all! (Albeit an extremely wise and holy human!) Thus, we should study all of the writings, Sacred Scripture, catechism, and traditions that Holy Mother Church holds out to us. Please see CCC 490-493 for the full explanation of the Immaculate Conception.

So, what did Aquinas write on the Mary’s conception? First, in ST III, Q.27, a.5, he concludes that she was sanctified and freed from original sin in the womb. Aquinas states that:

“The Church celebrates the feast of our Lady’s Nativity. Now the Church does not celebrate feasts except of those who are holy. Therefore even in her birth the Blessed Virgin was holy. Therefore she was sanctified in the womb.” (emphasis added)

He then points out that there is no mention of Our Lady’s cleansing from original sin in Sacred Scripture. BUT, he goes on to say that St. Augustine explains that Mary was, in fact, assumed into heaven, and this truth is nowhere in Sacred Scripture either. Therefore, the absence of the Immaculate Conception in Sacred Scripture does not mean that it didn’t happen. Therefore, Aquinas concludes that it is perfectly sound and reasonable to believe that Mary was conceived without original sin, even though it doesn’t explicitly state this in Sacred Scripture.

Aquinas then refers to scripture to affirm the fact that she must have been sanctified in the womb:

“For it is reasonable to believe that she, who brought forth “the Only-Begotten of the Father full of grace and truth,” received greater privileges of grace than all others: hence we read (Luke 1:28) that the angel addressed her in the words: “Hail full of grace!”

The clarification that came later was exactly when Mary was cleansed of original sin. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception today wherein we believe that Mary was conceived without original sin. Thus, Mary was free from original sin from the moment of her conception.

CCC 491 states:

Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God,134 was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.135”

A Reflection for Catechists

Mary always said “yes” to God in the small and big things! How are we working on hearing God’s voice and calls in the big and the small? How can we continue to say “yes” to Him even when it is difficult?

A Prayer for Catechists

Lord, help us to say “yes” like Your Blessed Mother in the big and small things. Please give us fortitude like Mary to do Your will in all things. Amen.

This post originally appeared on Alex Resch’s Substack on December 8, 2025. Alex will be publishing Gospel reflections for catechists throughout the season of Advent.

Having a Holier Advent as we Honor the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) All Month Long

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Here we are in Advent, in the month of December which is dedicated to the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception. And so, we are reminded that despite the busy-ness around us, we are called to keep vigil with the sacred. May this Advent, which is meant to be, in some ways, a kind of mini-Lent: a time of waiting and preparation (anticipating Christmas joy)… be our holiest yet.

Did you know that the Immaculate Conception is actually the Patroness of the United States? This declaration was made official by the United States bishops during the sixth provincial Council of Baltimore in 1846.

The Church taught of the Immaculate Conception for ages, but it was in 1854 that Pope Pius IX officially proclaimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.”

This teaching refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of St. Anne, her mother. And so in December while we contemplate the pre-born and newborn Lord… we also contemplate the pre-born Blessed Mother, from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception, on December 8th, which is exactly nine months before her birthday on September 8th.

Redemption was applied to our Blessed Mother from conception, by the merits of Jesus Christ, her son — a truly awe-inspiring reality. Preserved from original sin, Mary has been called “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” in the words of the great poet William Wordsworth.

Mary remained free of sin for her entire life. Honoring her purity is a calming antidote to the sometimes garish bustle of December, and a complementary devotion to our usual Advent activities culminating in the festive splendor of Christmas. We turn to Our Lady this Advent and ask that she will guide the ways we wait for, plan for, and celebrate the birth of her Son, Our Lord.

Here are some ways to honor the Immaculate Conception of Mary this December:

1) Bake a cake and frost it white for Mary’s purity

Bake a cake and frost it white for Mary’s purity (or purchase a cake with white icing) and share with your children, family or friends. Before cutting and sharing this cake, pray this as part of Grace before meals:

“O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for thy Son, we beseech thee that, as by the foreseen death of this, thy Son, thou didst preserve her from all stain, so too thou wouldst permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto thee. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.”

2)Mary is Patroness of the United States

Since Mary is Patroness of the United States, why not place a small American flag near a statue of Our Lady this month, as a reminder to regularly ask Our Lady to intercede for the country.

3) Give Miraculous Medals out as Christmas gifts

Give Miraculous Medals out as Christmas gifts to family, friends and acquaintances. These medals may be obtained inexpensively, but their protection, beauty and graces are unmatched. Upon the Miraculous Medal is inscribed, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The Miraculous Medal is just that…miraculous… and is even famous for creating conversions, as St. Maximilian Kolbe taught. Best of all, giving this medal as a stocking stuffer or gift this Christmas is a wonderful way to honor Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception this December.

4) Pray the Chaplet of the Immaculate Conception

Pray the Chaplet of the Immaculate Conception, which was created by St. John Berchmans, as a way to obtain greater purity, so it is a wonderful way to purify Advent, ensuring we keep Christ in Christmas. Begin by making the Sign of the Cross.

During each of 4 sets of prayers, you pray the following:
“Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Then… Say 1 Our Father,
4 Hail Marys
and one Glory be, each.

Blessed Advent! Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

This article was originally published on Nov 30, 2024 on www.amazingcatechists.com.

Being Present in the Advent Season Through Mary and Elizabeth

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In this article I would like to offer material for Advent to be used for faith formation classes, retreat days, and/or prayer services. The first two Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary provide a beautiful framework to dive deeper into the meaning and experience of Advent. There is some material that lends itself into the Christmas season too.

The Annunciation

The Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she had been chosen by God to conceive and bear His Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Refer to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26-38.

Reflections

  • God is reaching down to humanity to become one of us. The Incarnation brings us right into the meaning of Christmas in which heaven and earth, Creator and creatures, are united through the pure love of the Father.
  • Through Mary’s “Yes” we have the Incarnation by the means of the Son of God taking on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Mary is carrying the Temple of the Word. This divine event sets the world on fire! The Incarnation was not fully understood by the people of the Old Testament but it was proclaimed by the prophets, most especially by the prophet Isaiah.
  • Faith comes from hearing Christ preached (Romans 10:17) and the Angel Gabriel is the first messenger to preach Christ for the angel proclaims: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus”. (Luke 1:31) The angel spoke God’s Word to Mary.
  • As we meditate on this mystery, the writings that will become the New Testament, are unfolding here.
  • Though our first parents turned their back on God, God did not leave us abandoned to perish but rather has sent his Son to redeem us. We have been chosen. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer!
  • Mary is a model of humility and trust for us. Every day God gives us many opportunities to say “Yes”. Our responses can be little steps over and over again. These can become holy moments and each day we can look forward to seize them!
  • How pure and without blemish is the womb of Mary, full of grace, that God chose it for the first home on earth of his dearly beloved Son. Our Lord chose to take on human form in the womb of the holiest of woman; a woman conceived without sin. In the most fundamental stage of the human life cycle God chose to become one with us. The beloved womb is a sacred dwelling for life; it is a most holy place.
  • This mystery encourages us to be bearer of good news, especially that of Jesus Christ. Like the lights on the Christmas tree, we need to be bearers of light joined together to spread the joy and peace of the Christmas message of hope and redemption.

Biblical Prophecies of Jesus Christ Fulfilled

  • Old Testament: Isaiah 7:14; 40:3, Zechariah 9:9, Micah 5:2, Jeremiah 23:5-6
  • New Testament: Luke 1:35, John 1:22-23, Matthew 2:2, Hebrews 1:6

Icons of Mary as Mother of the Son of God

  • The Pieta by Michelangelo
  • Descent from the Cross by Peter Check Van Aelst
  • The Jerusalem Icon of the Mother by holy Evangelist Luke

Reflection Questions for Catechists Before a Lesson 

  • When did someone give you important, life changing, or surprising news? How did you react? Did you welcome it? Can you relate to Mary’s experience?
  • Who do you trust most in your life? What are his/her qualities that lead you to this trust? Do you recognize these qualities as special gifts to you from others?
  • When have you been the bearer of good or encouraging news that has helped someone on their faith journey?
  • Have any of the saints been bearers of good news to you?
  • When have you trusted God in a time of great uncertainty?

Questions for Students

  • What do you think the scene of the Annunciation looked like?
  • What do you think was on Mary’s mind when the Angel left her?
  • How was Mary feeling the next few days after the angel appeared to her? What would you say to Mary?
  • What did Mary’s “Yes” mean? What does a “Yes” to God sound like?
  • What does it mean that Mary was “full of grace”?
  • Do you think Mary had any friends? What were they like? Do you seek out certain types of friends?

Activities for Children

  • Draw/write/discuss this scene of the Annunciation. Think of Mary and where she lived and the appearance of the beautiful angel, Gabriel. Share.
  • Design an Advent Good News poster on construction paper (or cardstock) and/or an Advent bookmark. Advent themes: hope, peace, joy, love and Advent symbols: candles, wreath, holly, prayer, Advent calendar, Jesse Tree, creche
  • Write a prayer of devotion to your Guardian Angel.
  • Visit a church(es) and notice the Advent wreath and any statues, pictures or other religious items that remind you of the seasons of Advent and Christmas? Light a candle with a prayer for someone.
  • Discuss what the Hail Mary prayer means for this season of Advent.
  • Look at different religious Christmas scenes on Christmas cards that come into the house (catechist can bring some into the class for a lesson) and observe and discuss what you see in each one and how they speak to the season. Religious art can be emphasized here.
  • Paste a nativity scene from a card onto construction paper or cardstock and then draw a stained glass window design around it. You can do this by tracing lines with a marker using a ruler and then color in the spaces with crayon or colored pencils. Watercolor painting is beautiful too.
  • As a family or a group, work on a Nativity Scene puzzle (search Hobby Lobby and Amazon).

The Visitation

The Virgin Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who is carrying in her womb John the Baptist. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:39-42)  Refer to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 39-56.

Reflections

  • John the Baptist and his mother Elizabeth are in the presence of the first tabernacle, Mary’s womb. The Word of Christ is in the Womb. There is rejoicing in the womb!
  • How beautiful a visit is! How delighted Elizabeth must have been to see her cousin at her door, especially in this special time of need. We are called like Mary, to bring Jesus to others.
  • In this mystery we see the young and the old uniting in an embrace. This sends a message of the importance of unity between the young and the old as we are all one Church.
  • In this visit there is a deep spiritual communion between Mary and Elizabeth. This communion we desire deeply within our souls. Christ comes to us every day in our ordinary lives through the faces of ordinary people.
  • This is not a visit to the public but rather a private one. It reminds us of the good of doing things for the glory of God.
  • With this mystery we can think of what this holy visit is challenging and inviting us to do. Joseph sacrifices his time with Mary for someone in greater need. With Mary gone, Joseph is a little out of his comfort zone but he trusts in God and the message of the Angel Gabriel.
  • God sends us out in different ways. We can all think of times we have been sent out on a mission to help another. Do we seize the holiness in it? We are the hands and feet of Christ. We are called to do holy work. We are called out of the darkness into the light. May we all be bearers of light!

Biblical References for the Birth of John the Baptist

  • Old Testament: Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1
  • New Testament: Luke 1:5-25; 76  Matthew 11:9-10

Icons of the Visitation

  • The Visitation by Mariotto Albertini
  • The Visitation of the Theotokos and St. Elizabeth by Roman and Anna Davidoskiy
  • The Visitation by Brother Simeon Davis
  • Carmignano Visitation by Pontormo

Questions for Catechists Before a Lesson

  • Who in your life do you enjoy a visit with?
  • God calls us to visit and be with others in many settings. Which settings have been most meaningful to you?
  • Recall a time God sent you out to visit someone who needed you. What were the fruits of this visit for you and the other?
  • Think about your family tree and your place in it. Spend some time thinking of the relatives who came before you. When did you sense God in the midst of your family?
  • How do you like to support others?
  • How can we lessen the challenges of the generation gap in our Church and homes?
  • Do you allow Jesus to visit with you often?

Questions for Students

  • When has someone special visited you? How did you feel?
  • Have you visited someone special? What made the visit special?
  • How can you let Jesus visit you and keep you company?
  • How can you turn to Mary in your life? Can you be friends?
  • Discuss how we don’t live alone but in a community.
  • What special role did St. John the Baptist have for the future of all generations?
  • Who do the missionaries visit?
  • Can you invite a saint into your prayers and to join you in your day?
  • What are two God-given gifts of yours you can share with others?

Activities for Students

  • Recognize a special gift in a classmate/family member and write a thank you note or a prayer for him/her. Hand it to the person as if it were a visitor.
  • Create a small poster on the importance of SHARING your time and talents.
  • Share your faith with someone this week. Some suggestions are talking about what you learned in class, offering to say a prayer for a person and let the person know that. Offer encouraging words during Advent such as: “God bless you, I am glad God gave you to me, God loves you, How can I help?” Brainstorm for more ideas.
  • Look at an image of the Visitation and then on a piece of paper folded in half  label one side MARY and one side ELIZABETH. Write a list of words to describe the visit for each one.
  • When we visit, we often use our legs and feet to get there and our arms and hands to hug and help out. Discuss what it means to be the “the hands and feet of Christ”.
  • Pray the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). What image comes to mind? A copy of this hymn of praise can be copied, pasted on paper, and decorated.

 “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior,

  Who will rejoice with gladness, and renew you in his love,

  Who will sing joyfully because of you.”  Zephaniah 3:17

Tips for Praying the Rosary with Kids and Free Printable Prayers

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Today, I will share some tips and resources for praying the rosary with kids! I am going to give you 7 steps which include many resources to help you pray the rosary with kids. Read on to learn how.

Also, be sure to grab your free printable prayers to make your own paper bag rosary book (link to instructions also included)!

Why should we pray the Rosary?

When Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the shepherd children, she told them to “Pray the rosary everyday in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war.” Our Lady also revealed 15 promises to those who pray the rosary. Many saints have spoken about the importance of praying the rosary. It is a powerful spiritual weapon that all Catholics should have in their prayer arsenal.

Praying the rosary with kids in 7 steps:

  1. Get into the habit of praying the rosary yourself
  2. Start small with the children
  3. Have realistic expectations
  4. Use rosary, aids, books and songs
  5. Make a rosary craft
  6. Pray in a group
  7. Adapt when necessary

Step #1: Get into the habit of praying the rosary yourself

The best way to teach our children is to lead by example. First, make a commitment to learn and pray the rosary yourself. Make your rosary beads accessible by keeping them in your pocket, wearing a rosary bracelet, or hanging them in a prominent spot in your home. Dedicate a time when you will pray. Maybe you can commit to praying a rosary every Sunday at first, and gradually increase to every other day and then everyday.

How do you pray the rosary?

It’s truly a great time to be a Catholic! There are TONS of free resources to help you learn to pray the rosary. Youtube has plenty of options. You can put one on and pray with it to guide you. Here is a simple one with with a visual to help you follow along:

I recommend that you do not multitask when you pray the rosary. Set aside 15-20 minutes to spend time with Our Lady and she will guide you to Our Lord. Think of how much time we waste scrolling social media. Another idea is whenever you get the urge to scroll, open youtube and grab your rosary! You will be happy that you spent those 15 minutes contemplating the mysteries of Our Lord’s life!

Step #2: Start small with the children

Now that you are familiar with the rosary, it’s time to introduce it to your kids! It takes time to establish a new habit or devotion. As I suggested for increasing your own devotion to the rosary, introduce it little by little to your kids. If you are already in the habit of praying night time prayers with them, start saying the rosary at night. Start with 1 decade each day. Pray the 1st Joyful Mystery on Monday, the 2nd Joyful Mystery on Tuesday, etc. Switch to Sorrowful the next week, followed by Luminous and Glorious.

Step #3: Have realistic expectations for praying the rosary with kids

Make sure to set realistic and reasonable expectations when you first start praying the rosary with kids. Small children will have a hard time staying peaceful and still, and older children may protest or complain if they are not used to it. Stay strong in working to establish this devotion in your family, but also be patient and loving. Your expectations of a baby will be different from your expectations of a teenager.

Over time, your children will get used to the routine and the wiggling and complaining will decrease over time. It is acceptable to allow small children to play with a quiet toy or book. They are still listening and absorbing everything. A child who has reached the age of reason can be expected to kneel or sit reverently and follow along with his or her own rosary beads, book, or other aid (more on these below). It is important for the older children to be a good example to the younger children.

It can take time for a child to become comfortable using a set of rosary beads to keep track, so be flexible with this as well. Maybe they prefer their fingers. It’s also great to involve children who want to lead a decade.

A rosary with children will not always (ever) be a quick 15 minutes. It may take longer, so allot time for that so that your aren’t rushing and becoming impatient. Your mood and attitude will rub off on the children – whether you are peaceful and prayerful or whether you are irritated and annoyed. Teach your children to love and look forward to this time with Our Lady.

Step #4: Use rosary aids, books, and songs

Be sure to use code ALEXANDRA for 10% off of your entire Holy Heroes order

It is a great time to be a Catholic kid! There are tons of rosary resources at our fingertips. Holy Heroes has fantastic rosary resources for kids, especially these illustrated books on each mystery. They are pricey, but would be a great addition to your Christmas and birthday lists! They are well worth it.

 

OSV also has these beautiful Rosary books that are appropriate for ages 3 and up. They also have an Imprimatur.

Every Catholic baby should have one of these rosaries so they can participate!

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone learns better with songs, so try singing a decade with your children. Or, you can sing each Our Father and the 10th Hail Mary of each decade so that your children know when the decades are starting and ending. Try singing the Hail Holy Queen in Latin for a fun and beautiful challenge!

Step #5: Make a rosary craft or DIY children’s rosary book

Everyone loves a new rosary to pray with, and children love to pray with ones they made. We love these easy pipe cleaner rosaries from Catholic Icing.  Easy enough for little hands!

For slightly older children these books are a huge hit, also from Catholic Icing. I created a free printable of the mysteries and prayers (in English and Latin) for you below to include in these books or just to print for your reference. The *’s denote how to break up the prayer when praying in a group. The leader says the prayer up until the * and then the group responds with the part after the *. We glued them at these spots inside the book. Note: We couldn’t fit the Apostle’s Creed or Fatima Prayer when we included the Latin, so just keep that in mind!

You can find the free prayer printables to make your own paper bag rosary book below these photos!

Here are the free printables so that you can make your own paper bag rosary book!

Step #6: Pray in a group

Many parishes have groups that meet before or after Mass to pray the rosary. This is a great example for your kids to see others praying the rosary too! If your parish doesn’t have a group then start one!

It’s also great to pray with other families with small children. Maybe you can form a monthly group of families that gets together to pray. A parish nearby us has First Saturday rosary and treats for kids. Each child gets a (real) rose and brings it to a statue of Our Lady one by one on each Hail Mary.

We have even used candles when praying in a group at our parish. We asked families to volunteer to come up and light the candle for each Hail Mary or each decade. The kids and parents loved it!

Step #7: Adapt when necessary

Raising children is hard and praying with children can be too! If meltdowns or fights are starting to occur, stay calm and troubleshoot with your spouse how to handle it in  the future. Don’t give up! Make sure you have set up clear expectations for the children during prayer time. If children are cranky during the rosary, consider choosing a different time of the day.

It can also be peaceful to pray a rosary in the car on longer drives. Use a rosary audio track to guide you and have rosary beads ready in the glove compartment for everyone!

Now, get praying!

You CAN pray the rosary with children of any age! With some dedication on your part, little planning, and trust in Our Lady anything is possible!

Please leave any questions or suggestions about praying the rosary in the comments!

This post originally appeared on www.oraetschola.com.

The Power of the Rosary

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A couple of years ago, I participated in an Endow Women’s study on the Rosary. The history of how the Rosary was given to us by the Blessed Mother to St. Dominic completely captivated my heart. In a time when Albigensianism was running rampant, Our Blessed Mother instructed St. Dominic in how God would convert hearts through him – specifically with the Rosary.

Gabriel Castillo’s book, The Power of the Rosary, was the perfect follow up and refresher to the Endow study. This book allowed me to dive even deeper into the history of the Rosary, and provided many practical tools and inspiration for making my time praying the Rosary even more powerful and efficacious.

The History of the Rosary

This book provides a very detailed account of the history of the Rosary. So many Saints have been involved in spreading this devotion! The list starts with St. Dominic and his holy mother, Bl. Jane of Aza. You will learn about the Rosary’s origin from the Angelic Psalter, as well as the origin of the 150 original mysteries.

Later on, another Dominican – Bl. Alan de la Roche – would revive Christians’ devotion to the Rosary. You will also read about the miraculous defeat by the Holy League at the Battle of Lepanto, and learn how St. Pius V (another Dominican!) implored everyone to pray the Rosary for a successful outcome. There are many more pieces to the history of the Rosary (which include more Saints and 2 Marian Apparitions), and this book summarizes them all thoroughly.

Practical Tips for Praying the Rosary

Next, Gabriel Castillo breaks down the “Science of the Rosary” which highlights the parts that make up the Rosary’s beauty and power. He also explains how the Rosary is a deep practice of mental prayer. I think that this section is particularly helpful if you need guidance in how to meditate on the mysteries, or if you would like to go deeper with your mystery meditations.

The book is packed with tons of practical advice. I love how the author includes tips for priests, newlyweds, parents, and families to pray the Rosary. You can tell that Gabriel has a very close relationship with Our Lady! Throughout the whole book, he encourages the reader to pick up a Rosary and pray. If you aren’t inspired to pray your Rosary after reading a few pages of this book, I think you will definitely be convinced by the time you finish it. You will have also gained a wealth of knowledge and practical steps for praying 1, 2, 3, or even 4 (or more!) Rosaries daily. There is also a section that includes practical ways to spread the devotion of the Rosary, and I love the suggestions he gives.

Rosary Testimonies

I can absolutely tell that Gabriel Castillo is practicing what he is preaching. His faithful witness as someone who prays 4+ Rosaries per day is inspiring! He weaves his personal testimony throughout the book of how Our Lady has assisted him throughout his life. The book ends with a chapter of Rosary testimonies. These testimonies provided even more encouragement and inspiration for praying the Rosary.

An Excellent Guide Book for Praying the Rosary

The detailed historical account, wealth of information, practical tips, and personal testimonies make this book a powerful guide for anyone (specifically, teenagers and adults) who wants to start praying the Rosary or take their prayers to the next level. It can be read from cover to cover, or you can use it as a reference book by selecting specific sections to read. I couldn’t agree more with Gabriel Castillo that we should all take up our Rosaries and ask for Our Lady’s intercession as often as possible!

October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary! You can prepare for October and order The Power of the Rosary by Gabriel Castillo from Sophia Institute Press.

More resources for praying the Rosary:

  1. Using Saint Ignatius’ Guidelines For Family Rosary
  2. How to Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
  3. Tips for Praying the Rosary with Kids and Free Printable Prayers
  4. The Rosary in Kid Speak

Celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary

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The Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary is August 15th! Here are some quick facts about this Feast:

  • The Assumption of Mary is a Solemnity
  • The Assumption of Mary is one of the 4 dogmas of the church
  • Pope Pius XII declared it a dogma of the church on November 1, 1950
  • The Assumption of Mary is the 4th Glorious Mystery of the Rosary
  • The Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary is one of the Holy Days of Obligation in the Catholic Church (when it doesn’t fall on a Monday or Saturday). It is a Friday in 2025. Double check with your own Diocese for further information on Holy Days of Obligation because they can vary from place to place.

Here are some simple and holy ways to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. I have a recipe, prayers, books, and music to share with you.

Go to Mass

Solemnities are such holy and beautiful days to go to Mass! Be sure to prioritize Mass today for you and your family. Here are the readings for this Mass to help you prepare. 

Pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven is the 4th Glorious Mystery.

Holy Heroes has a fantastic set for praying the rosary with small children. If you don’t want to splurge for the entire set right now, you could start building your collection with the Glorious Mysteries book and add the rest later!

Holy Heroes also has the Glorious Mysteries on CD or as an instant mp3 download.

Be sure to use code ALEXANDRA for 10% off of your entire Holy Heroes order!

Sing a Marian Hymn

Here is an entire video with a playlist of Classical Marian Hymns for the Assumption of Mary. Play it at home or in the car to celebrate the Solemnity!

Learn About the 4 Marian Dogmas

Check out this post by Pat Gohn that breaks down each of the 4 Marian Dogmas and give scripture and catechism references. You could also print out the free Marian Dogma trading cards to give to your kids or students.

Read When Mary Says Yes by Gracie Jagla

This is an adorable book from Catholic author, Gracie Jagla. When Mary Says Yes is all about Mary’s like, her fiat, and how we can say “yes” to God like Mary. If your child likes Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, then he or she will love When Mary Says Yes (except they get to yell out “yes” instead of “no”!).

There is also a page in the book showing her Assumption into heaven, so it is perfect to read on this Solemnity.

Be sure to also check out Gracie Jagla’s podcast episode where she reads the book aloud.

Make a Cloudy Treat

This is my recipe for an easy and yummy ice box cake. This cake is especially great for the summer months because it does not require the use of the oven. It is also easy to adapt to your needs and preferences. You can use any fillings or toppings that you would like. For the Solemnity of the Assumption, we will be decorating the top with homemade, fluffy, white icing to resemble clouds. This will remind us of Mary’s glorious Assumption of body and soul right into heaven!

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

1 pint heavy whipping cream

½ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

18 whole graham crackers

1/2 cup strawberries (chopped)

1 cup blueberries

Mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, sliced banana, or any other toppings/filling you desire!

Supplies:

10x8x3 inch glass casserole dish

Instructions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until fluffy peaks form. (You can also do this with a hand blender with the whisk attachment). This takes about 15 minutes. I like to use a stand mixer so that this step is hands off. Then, I can wash, dry, and chop my berries at this time.

2. When the fluffy peaks are just starting to form, add in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until these are fully incorporated (about 1 more minute).

3. Lay out 6 graham crackers to cover the bottom of a 10 by 8 inch glass dish that is at least 3 inches deep. It’s ok if they overlap a little. Spread a layer of whipped cream (about ½ inch thick) over the graham crackers. Evenly sprinkle half of the berries over the whipped cream.

4. Repeat another layer of 6 graham crackers, whipped cream, and finish off the berries.

5. Add the last 6 graham crackers and cover them with a thick layer of whipped cream. Sprinkle some mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, or sliced bananas on top. I recommend white toppings to remind us of Mary’s purity!

6. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Slice and enjoy!

 

How to Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

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October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary falls on October 7th.  Ultimately, the rosary brings us closer to Our Blessed Mother. Our Blessed Mother brings us closer to her Son! Having a relationship with Jesus and His Blessed Mother bring adults and kids peace and comfort.

Any time spent praying and discussing the rosary will be fruitful. Take time this month to introduce children to this beautiful devotion with my resources below.

Why do we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary?

Our Lady goes by many titles – Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessed Mother are among her most famous. Our Lady came to the aid of Christian soldiers in the Battle of Lepanto, and, later, Pope Pius V instituted a feast in thanksgiving to Our Lady of Victory. Eventually, Pope Gregory XIII changed the name of the feast to Our Lady of the Rosary to emphasize the power of Mary’s intercession in times of trouble.

The Battle of Lepanto and Our Lady of the Rosary

On October 7, 1571, a huge Turkish fleet prepared to attack Christian Europe. Genoa, Spain, and the Papal States formed an alliance called the Holy League to defend Christendom.

The Holy League and the Turks engaged in a famous sea battle known as “The Battle of Lepanto.” The battle took place in the Gulf of Lepanto in Greece.

At the time, Pope Pius V, a Dominican with a great love for Our Blessed Mother and the rosary, directed all of the faithful to pray the rosary. They all prayed specifically for the intention that the Christian fleet would defeat the Turkish fleet. Through Our Lady’s intercession, the Christians prevailed! The Holy League prevented Islam from spreading further into Christian Europe.

Here is an excellent, in-depth account of the history of the battle.

Be sure to also read about the incredible link between The Battle of Lepanto and Our Lady of Guadalupe here.

10 EASY Ways to Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

1. Commit to praying a daily rosary as a family

If you have been meaning to start praying the rosary as a family, this is the month to do it! If you need tips for praying the Rosary with children, head on over to this post.

2. Play Battleship – Battle of Lepanto Style!

Here is a free printable and instructions for the game, Battleship. You just need a printer and some writing utensils to play!

Players should start the game by praying a Hail Mary together for a specific intention.

The winner shall be dubbed Captain of the Holy League!

3. Make a Rosary treat for Our Lady of the Rosary

We love a good liturgical tea party in our house, and we always need some themed treats! Here are some fun and tasty Rosary treats to try:

Our Lady’s Victory Vessels

Edible Rosaries – Homemade or store bought goodies will work work! You simply need 53 of one type for the Hail Marys, 6 of another flavor for the Our Fathers, and about 6 more for the cross! It would be impressive to make a version all out of cupcakes. A smaller, simpler version with circular candies, cookies, berries/fruit, or cheese and crackers would also work well!

Rosary Cake

Rose Pops for Our Lady

Rose Shortbread Cookies if you are feeling very fancy and festive!

4. Make a Rosary

This one is great for toddlers and up – Pipe Cleaner and Pony Bead Rosary
This one is nice for older kids who want all 5 decades – String and Pony Bead Rosary

5. Take a Rosary walk

If the weather is nice, head out for a walk and pray the rosary together! If you live near the beach or a boardwalk, a rosary walk near the water would be memorable and appropriate for this day!

6. Read a book about the Rosary

A book about St. Dominic would be perfect to learn about the history of the rosary.

Here are a whole bunch of rosary books for kids.

7. Color a picture of Our Lady of the Rosary

Have some copies of this stunning coloring page ready for your kids and hang them up this month!

8. Dive into the history and/or geography of the Battle of Lepanto

Here is a comprehensivecbook on Chesteron’s Lepanto that discusses the history of the battle.

See more history resources in #9 below.

9. Read G.K. Chesterton’s Ballad that honored the Battle of Lepanto

If you don’t do a full-on history lesson, be sure to read this famous poem! Here is a link to the beautiful poem.

This informational mp3 looks sounds amazing and includes the full ballad as well.

10. Sing a Hymn to honor Our Lady

One of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s titles is “Star of the Sea.” You could learn the beautiful hymn “Ave Maris Stella” (Hail, Star of the Sea) in her honor on this feast day!

 

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

There you have it! 10 easy and beautiful ways to honor Our Lady this October and celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary! Do you have any other prayerful and fun ways to honor Our Lady? Please share them in the comments!

This post first appeared on www.oraetschola.com and has been updated here.

Our Weapon of Mass Conversion

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I’d like to share a fun story with you.

There was a young bride-to-be at her bridal shower.  One of the gifts she opened was a roasting pan.  When she opened it, she looked at her mother and said, “You know, Mom – I’ve been meaning to ask you.  Every time you make a roast you always cut the end off it before putting it in the pan.  Why do you do that?”  Her mother said, “Your grandmother taught be everything I know about cooking, and she always did that, and I never questioned it.”

With that, the young bride turned to the grandmother and asked her the same question.  The grandmother said, “My mother was the best cook in town.  Everyone loved her cooking.  So, when she taught me to do something in the kitchen, I never questioned it.  I always just did it.”

Well, luckily, 92-year-old great-grandma was at the bridal shower.  The young bride went to the great-grandma and asked the infamous question, “Why do you cut the end off of the roast before putting it in the pan?”  The Great-Grandma shrugged her shoulders and said, “Because I never had a pan big enough.”

WHY Questions are IMPORTANT!

I love this story because it helps us realize that “WHY” questions are important. They’re important because they push us to dig to find answers.  When we ask WHY questions concerning the things of God, it brings us closer to God if we are brave enough and persistent enough to get to the answer.

I recently read a book entitled, “Champions of the Rosary” by Father Donald Calloway.  Father Calloway has an amazing conversion story.  I encourage all of you to look him up on YouTube.  He had no religious upbringing and then somehow after a long series of misfortunes, finds himself in a Catholic Church watching five Filipino women pray the Rosary.  He had no idea what they were doing.

For those of you like me raised in the Catholic Church, I’ve seen both my mother and grandmother pray the rosary every day.  But I really didn’t know what they were doing or why they felt it was important to do it every day.  That WHY question led me to Father Calloway’s book.

Saint Dominic and the Rosary!

Saint Dominic is the founder of the Rosary as we know it today – five decades with meditation on mysteries of Jesus’ life.  The Rosary, as stated in Father Calloway’s book, was crafted by God over a span of time.  So, although Saint Dominic is the founder of the Rosary, the development of the Rosary existed decades before Saint Dominic.

The Rosary – Our Spiritual Sword

The Rosary is also a spiritual sword based on scripture which tells us that “the Word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword….” and encourages us to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17)

The two main elements of the Rosary – the Hail Mary and the Our Father – are prayers found in scripture which is why the Rosary is referred to as a sword.

Prayer Beads were very important – used as early as the third century to keep track of how many prayers were said.  During the first Crusade 1069-1099, monks/priests wore prayer beads – not rosary beads – but prayers beads.  They wore these on the belt to understand the beads as a sword that is worn on the belt.  Many of us remember the nuns and priests – back in the day – that wore the rosary beads on the side.  I never knew why they wore them there – but it was to signify a sword.  These prayers are the Word of God, and the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit.

Our Weapon of Mass Conversion

There is a story of Saint Mother Teresa traveling in India by train when officials boarded the train asking if anyone had weapons.  Saint Mother Teresa reached in her pocket and took out her rosary.  This truly is a weapon – a sword.

In 1208, Saint Dominic is struggling with a heresy in southern France without any success.  His preaching was not effective.  The heresy was teaching that God would never take on human form.  Pope Innocent III initiated a 20-year military campaign to eliminate the heresy.  Finally, Saint Dominic decides to retreat and pray for help.  After three days of prayer and fasting, he receives a vision from the Blessed Mother.

Our Lady instructed Saint Dominic to take the Marian Psalter – the 150 Hail Mary’s – out of the monasteries – infuse it with sacred mysteries and meditation – and take it into the streets to become a weapon of mass conversion.

There are so many wonderful stories and detailed history in Father Calloway’s book about the Rosary.  I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the WHY of the Rosary.

 

Champions of the Rosary

Champions of the Rosary – EXCELLENT book by Father Donald Calloway!

The Rosary in Kid Speak

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Enjoy my interview with dynamic author, speaker, and educator, TJ Burdick, about his exciting new resource, The Rosary in Kid Speak.

What sparked the idea to write this book?

Every night, my family and I pray a decade of the Rosary together. When our youngest was born, we had four children, five years old and younger, which made the Rosary praying process a bit difficult. They’d get into the rhythm of the repetition of the prayers, but we never focused on the true beauty of Our Lady’s prayer- the mysteries. So, I started looking up images of Sacred Art to help my kids visualize the mysteries since they couldn’t read yet. Now, two years later, the oldest are reading, so it made since to accompany the images with easy-to-understand words that would explain the depth of each mystery to them. That’s how The Rosary in Kid Speak was born.

What’s inside?

Each Mystery includes a piece of Sacred Art and a kid-friendly description in words of each mystery. The images give children a focal point that allows them to place themselves in the scene with Jesus and Mary through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. The words then narrate what’s going on so as to give them a more complete experience while they contemplate the lives of Our Lord and Our Lady. On top of that, the book also includes sections on how to pray the Rosary, a Rosary schedule that tells you which days to pray which mysteries, and several more tips and tricks to help families pray the Rosary together.

Who would benefit most from this book?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the Rosary “the epitome of the Gospel” (CCC 971). That being said, EVERYONE can benefit from this book, most especially those who care for the spiritual formation of children- parents, priests, teachers, administrators, catechists, Directors of Religious Education, etc. The greatest thing we can do to help our children come closer to Christ is to lead them to Our Lady who loves them with a more perfect love than we could ever imagine. With the combined efforts of her divine motherhood and our terrestrial care, the Rosary becomes the spiritual rope that binds us all together and lassos the souls of our children into her love. Like the reigns of a horse, Our Lady guides us along the path of salvation with her most beautiful Rosary.

What others are saying about T.J. Burdick:

“T.J. Burdick is smart, faithful, passionate, and a gifted teacher and blogger–precisely the sort of leader we need for the New Evangelization.”

–Brandon Vogt, Content Director @ Word on Fire

“T.J. Burdick is a fresh voice in the New Evangelization—and one of the pioneering voices of a new generation of Christians. He is showing us exciting new ways to tell the Greatest Story Ever Told, and he’s doing it with an infectious and disarming kind of joy.”

-Greg Kandra, Aleteia.org

(You can find more of TJ Burdick’s work at tjburdick.com.)

As We Celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Heart this August… We Give Our Hearts

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August is the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the feast day has traditionally been celebrated on August 22. We can put our anxieties aside by resting in Mary’s Immaculate Heart. After all, the Memorare reminds, “Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgins of Virgins, Our Mother.” So in a more profound way this month, let’s fly to our Mother’s Immaculate Heart!

Our Lady of Fatima asked us to pray the Rosary every day. In the words of St. Padre Pio, “Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” Happily, there’s ways to keep your Rosary fresh and charged with new levels of love. This book, Sacred Braille is filled with ways to honor Mary’s Immaculate Heart and to breathe new life into your Rosary. Whether you pray the Rosary daily, sometimes, or rarely, it will forever cure you of any impulse to think of the Rosary as “monotonous” and replace it with a renewed excitement. The book also includes devotions to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. And here is a set of Rosaries you can pray online that feature beautiful art and meditations.

Our Lady of Fatima requested the First Five Saturdays devotion as an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For five months in a row on the first Saturday of the month, make an act of reparation to Mary by receiving Communion, praying the Rosary, keeping Mary company for another fifteen minutes by meditating on the Mysteries, and going to Confession within 8 allotted days. If you are reading this after the first of the month, mark your calendar and resolve to start next month! It’s a beautiful devotion that never fails to produce rich rewards. Here’s more about how to do it.

Our Lady of Fatima famously told us, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” She also said, “Don’t lose heart… My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” August 22 is not only the traditional feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, (which is where the August devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart comes from) but also the feast of the Queenship of Mary. This reminds us that we should honor our Blessed Mother’s royalty through being loving servants to her even as we are her children.

A wonderful way to serve and love the Immaculate Heart of Mary more deeply is by doing a Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — especially one that also promotes devotion to Mary. This 33-Day Consecration to the Sacred Heart is available online, and sends free daily emails for each day of the Consecration, complete with prayers, reflections, beautiful Catholic works of art, music, and even a daily podcast directly to your inbox. These guided daily devotions take so little time (10 to 15 minutes total) but will be time well spent. They can aid and inspire us to better prepare our hearts for Jesus and honor His Mother’s Immaculate Heart. At the end, you’ll consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. August, the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is a perfect time to begin.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary protect and bless you and your family!

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