The beauty of ‘Lord, I am not worthy' in the Mass
Why I love the rosary
Photo By: Flickr/Hector Alejandro
I must admit, as a Protestant I strongly believed Catholics praying the Hail Mary or the rosary were placing Mary in the place of Jesus. I believed they were prayers to Mary and were treating her as a god. But, after crossing the Tiber I have grown to fall in love with the rosary – with the blessed Mother.
We can all admit life is stressful. It’s difficult actually. From the joys of life, celebrations, milestones, to the pain and stress of the not so wonderful times, it seems our thoughts and focus are consumed 24/7 with what is going on in our lives.
If we are having problems with family members, we find ourselves waking up early in the morning or staying up late at night worrying about them. If we are having problems at work, we find ourselves overeating, biting fingernails, and doing whatever it takes to deal with the stress and worry that comes with trying to succeed in any occupation.
But, there is a place we can run. There is a place I DO run to….a place of peace, transformation, and transportation.
As I pray the rosary, I am reminded that Jesus had times of celebration. He had times of celebrating his baptism, spending time in the temple, and wedding celebrations where he turned water into wine. But, he also suffered times anguish, stress, and pain. But, the rosary does something extremely crucial (outside the promises Blessed Mother has given us regarding praying the rosary). It transports my thoughts from ME to HIM. It takes me to a different time, a special time when God walked this earth.
All of a sudden my worries seem small, my issues seem almost non-existent compared to looking at Jesus and being reminded that our Lord, our Savior lived as a human. He spent time on earth and experienced the same things we experienced – yet he was completely and totally faithful to the Father.
When I look at Jesus, I can’t look at myself. When I stop looking at myself and start looking at Jesus I have a source of hope, a source of strength, a source of power that only flows from the throne of God – flows through every bead, every prayer, every Hail Mary, every mystery said, every Our Father spoken, every Glory Be proclaimed. The graces that flow through the rosary overshadow the powers of this world.
That’s why I will never lay down my rosary….I will always proclaim the beauty, the mystery of Our Lady’s rosary.
If you’re stressed, pray the rosary. If you’re happy and rejoicing, praying the rosary. If you’re in pain, pray the rosary. If you’re worried, pray the rosary. If you’re celebrating a milestone in life, pray the rosary. If you’re breathing…..pray the rosary.
Stop looking in the mirror – start looking at Him.
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About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
