Today's Holy Rosary

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, Christ Jesus talks to us in the Gospel of Mark (Mk 10:1-12) about marriage's mystery and sacramental union.
"But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore, what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."

In the house, the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,

"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."

This is the word of God. It's how the Son of God defined the fundamental sacredness of marriage.

As Bishop Barron wrote today, "The deep sacramental and religious meaning of marriage—even within the Church—has been, in recent years, dramatically compromised."

"When I was doing parish work, I would invariably ask young couples, “Why do you want to get married in church?” Most would say something like, “Because we love each other.” But I would reply, “Well, that’s no reason to get married in church.” 

"They usually looked stunned, but I meant it. You come to church to be married before God and his people when you are convinced that your marriage is not, finally, about you; that it is about God and about serving God’s purposes; that it is, as much as the priesthood of a priest, a vocation, a sacred calling."

Marriage is sacred because it's the holy word of God.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Rita Cascia, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Friends of the Rosary,

Today in the United States is the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea. This year the intention includes those impacted by Baltimore Key Bridge tragedy.

Also, today is the Optional Memorial of the Augustinian nun of St. Rita Cascia (1386-1457), Patron saint of the impossible, difficult, and hopeless.

After eighteen years of married life, St. Rita lost her husband and her two sons.

Called afterwards to the religious state, she professed the Rule of St. Augustine at Cascia her native town, in central Italy.

In a life-long and terrible malady her patience, cheerfulness, and union by prayer with almighty God, never failed her.

Jesus imprinted on her brow the mark of a thorn from His crown, which is understood to indicate a partial stigmata.

Known for the efficacy of her prayers, various miracles are attributed to her intercession. At her canonization ceremony, she was bestowed the title of "Patroness of Impossible Causes."

In many Catholic countries, Rita came to be known as the patroness of abused wives and heartbroken women.

She was canonized in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Rita Cascia, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

This Pentecost Sunday, with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and disciples, the Jewish crowd of that time experienced the miracle of tongues.

This supernatural event recalled the story about the tower of Babel, when men, enslaved by pride, attempted to build a tower that would touch the heavens.

To punish their sin, God confused their speech. Sin causes confusion and division.

On Pentecost, Lord Christ came to gather all men into His Church, uniting them to Himself.

This should result in creating one family of nations again.

The gift of love infused into us by the Holy Spirit unites us. Love is the common language, that should be spoken into all nations.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, we celebrate the feast of Mary Mother of the Church. We highlight the divine motherhood of Mary and her intimate union in the work of the Redeemer.

This memorial is celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost, which is appropriate as Mary was also present in that room for the birthday of the Church.

In 1964, St. Paul VI declared the Blessed Virgin Mary as "Mother of the Church."

He established that "the Mother of God should be further honored and invoked by the entire Christian people by this tenderest of titles."

Pope Francis encouraged "the growth of the maternal sense of the Church in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a growth of genuine Marian piety."

St. Augustine wrote that "Mary is the mother of the members of Christ, because with charity she cooperated in the rebirth of the faithful into the Church."

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost. With Christmas and Easter, Pentecost ranks among the great feasts of Christianity. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and disciples, the completion of the work of redemption, and the fullness of grace for the Church and gift of faith for all nations.

Ten days after the resurrection, at nine o'clock in the morning, about a hundred and twenty people were assembled and praying together fervently, the Holy Spirit descended upon them through tongues of fire.

All the great theophanies in Christ's life occurred during the course of prayer. After His baptism, for instance, when Jesus was praying the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove; likewise, it was during prayer at night that the transfiguration. Surely too, it was while Mary was praying during the Annunciation.

Today, at Mass of the Solemnity of Pentecost, and through prayer, our souls are ready for the advent of the Spirit.

"When the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, which settled upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak." (Acts 2, 1-4).

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

In the First Letter of John (3:18-24), that we recently read, the Beloved Disciple urged us to firmly believe in the name of Jesus Christ and love our neighbor with a practical love.

However, we find that living a Christian life isn’t easy. We are lured by the attractions of this world, and we face the temptations by the agents of evil. Moreover, in our days these difficulties have dramatically increased.

Science and technology have put within our reach increased comforts, pleasures, and self-indulgences. It’s nothing wrong with comforts and riches, as long as they are not the only purpose in life and become idols and prison.

Lord Jesus warned his first followers about worldly allurements. Remaining closely united with Him — as he is the true life — is the only solution to live in peace and joy.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

St. Peter’s love for Jesus Christ surpasses his sins. Three times the apostle denied the Lord, and so three times Jesus asked him to reaffirm his faith, as we read today. (Jn 21:15-19):

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Our Lord tested Simon (Peter), asking what he would do. Jesus wants love in action.

The message is clear for all of us: the test of love is action. We follow the Lord with real acts of charity and forgiveness.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

"The Immaculate Heart of Mary must be for us a refuge and the way that leads to God," wrote Sister Lucia of Fatima, the oldest of the three children to whom Our Lady of Fatima appeared in 1917.
To attain the peace of Christ, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary must be established in the world by means of a true consecration, through conversion and self-giving, Venerable Lucia said. 
"God enclosed His eternal Word in the Heart of Mary, and it from this Word that life comes to us."

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the memorial of St. Isidore the Farmer (1070-1130), a Spanish laborer who worked most of his life as a plowman for a wealthy landowner in Madrid, Spain.

Although he worked many hours a day, he never failed to attend daily Mass and spend time praying before the Holy Eucharist.

Isidore had deep religious instincts. He rose early in the morning to go to church and spent many holidays devoutly visiting the churches of Madrid and surrounding areas.

He married a young woman as simple and upright as himself, Maria de la Cabeza, who also became a saint. They had one son, who died as a child.

They were always willing to help their neighbors and worked with the poor in the city slums. He was known for his love of the poor, and there are accounts of Isidore miraculously supplying them with food.

He died May 15, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622 along with Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri. Together, they are known in Spain as "the five saints."

In 1947, he was proclaimed the Patron of the Catholic Rural Life Conference in the United States.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today is the feast day of St. Matthias, Apostle and Martyr.

After Jesus' ascension, St. Peter proposed to the assembled faithful that they choose the twelve disciples of Christ to fill the place left vacant by Judas the traitor's apostasy.

Lots were drawn, with the result in favor of Matthias, ultimately chosen by the Holy Spirit.

According to the tradition, St. Matthias labored in Ethiopia. He was martyred, receiving "the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him."

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, the Seventh Sunday of Easter, we celebrate, in most of the country, the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We also celebrate Mother’s Day.

The ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and the State of Nebraska retained the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord last Thursday, while all other provinces have transferred this solemnity to today.

At the end of His earthly life, and forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended triumphantly into heaven.

Through the faith, we know that physical death is not the end. It is rather the real beginning.

The Ascension of Lord Christ in his human nature to his Father’s and our Father’s home is the confirmation that we will all rise with new, glorified bodies, ascending into heaven, as Christ did. There we’ll begin our true life of eternal joy.

Even for good Christians the death of a beloved one is a cause of sorrow and tears. Death breaks that continuity but only for a little while. However, that break is necessary for the new life to begin, as death on earth is the door to that eternal life. We all want to live on forever with our dear ones!

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, the first Saturday after Ascension Thursday, is the Feast of Mary, Queen of Apostles, celebrated in some areas and by certain religious congregations, including the Pallotines, the Marianists, and the congregations founded by Bl. James Alberione (the Society of St. Paul, the Daughters of St. Paul, and others).

The feast day commemorates Mary joining the first apostles and disciples of the Lord in the Cenacle to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church.

Mary initiated her mission as Queen of Apostles in the upper room. She gathered the apostles together, comforted them, and assisted them in prayer. They all were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

Devotion to Mary is a treasure. On the Feast of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, Catholics may attend special Masses, light candles, pray the rosary, and visit places associated with Mary, such as Lourdes and Fatima.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Because of our struggle, we sadly question our Lord. Our lack of faith—or limited faith—confuses us and makes us live with anxiety.

Lord Jesus knew all of this, and said to his disciples (Jn 16:20-23):

"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, Thursday of the sixth week of Easter and forty days after Easter Sunday, the Catholic Church commemorates the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2. Tradition designates Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where Christ left the earth.

The Ascension is the solemnity feast of the Glorified Christ — the day when Christ’s triumph is complete.

By ascending into His glory, Christ completed the work of our redemption. He is now in the dominion of heaven and rules all hearts and souls.

During the forty days that followed the Resurrection, the apostles and disciples were filled with joy by the Holy Spirit while acquiring a firm faith. The Ascension was a cause of joy as well.

“And if I shall go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself” (John 14:3 f.).

Let us rejoice and delight in giving thanks.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Christ Jesus declared that when the Spirit comes, he will guide us into all truth — we read in the Gospel today (Jn 16:12-15).

“He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

Jesus also said to his disciples:

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.”

The divine mystery flows from the life in the Holy Spirit. Constant prayer will allow us increased immersion in the Spirit of Truth resulting in deeper knowledge of God.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

We joyfully honor the Immaculate Mary during May, not just a day but the entire month, with daily recitation of the Rosary and other devotions.

The Ancient Greeks dedicated May to Artemis, the goddess of fecundity. The Christians improved this practice by honoring the truly Mother of God.

The idea of a month dedicated specifically to Mary is traced back to Baroque times. The custom became widespread during the nineteenth century and remains in practice until today.
Many faithful erect a special altar with a statue or picture of Mary as a reminder. It's a tribute to her beauty and virtue.

It's also a standing tradition to crown the statue of Mary — a custom known as May Crowning.

Mary, cause of our joy, is everyone's mother. She cares for all of us without fail, interceding in even the tiniest matters.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

This month we walk with the Blessed Virgin Mary and we renew our love and devotion to the Mother of Jesus.

Everything Mary said led us to Christ. And she loves each and every human with the same affection and tenderness as Christ Jesus.

Mary was conceived immaculately, without any stain of the original sin, and also by divine election was crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. Mary, the most humble of all women and the first disciple of Jesus, is a model for everyone, Christian and non-Christian today.

“There is only one model for you, Mary: the woman of fidelity, the one who did not understand what was happening to her but obeyed. The one who, as soon as she knew what her cousin needed took off (to help her), the Virgin of Promptness. The one who escaped as a refugee in a foreign country to save the life of her son,” Pope Francis said in 2014.

The Virgin, through Jesus, has brought heaven closer to us.

“She shows us that heaven is within reach, if we too do not give in to sin, we praise God with humility and serve others with generosity,” Pope Francis added in 2022.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

The Lord, who is all love, has revealed to the nations His saving power, as we say in the Psalms today.

"Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love," wrote Saint John in his first letter (4:7-10)

We can be faithful, charitable, and even follow all the commandments, but if we lack love we fall really short.

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God," St. John explained.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

As disciples of Christ we have been chosen out of the world by Christ Jesus.

When we act out that belonging, we can change the world.

It won't be an easy. The battle has been won, but the war continues. The struggle is ongoing.

As Jesus said to his disciples (Jn 15:18-21),

"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you."

"If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you."

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today is the Feast of the Apostles Philip and James.

Like Sts. Peter and Andrew, St. Philip was from Bethsaida, in Galilee. He was crucified at Hierapolis in Phyrgia, where he had preached the Gospel. He introduced St. Bartholomew (Nathaniel) to Christ, telling him that Jesus was the one whom Moses and the other prophets had foretold. Christ declared to St. Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…I am the Father and the Father is in me” (Jn 14:8, 11).

James the Lesser is called “Lesser” because he was younger than the other Apostle by the same name, James the Great. James the less was related in some way to Jesus, and after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, he became the bishop of the Church in Jerusalem. He was martyred in the year 62, by being thrown from the terrace of the Temple and then stoned to death.

• The Apostles suffered and were persecuted, but they placed their confidence in God and now they rejoice in heaven.

• Following their example, we too must have confidence in God and not be troubled in our adversities.

• In our Father’s house there are many rooms, and if we follow the way indicated by Him, Christ will come at the end of our life and take us to Himself.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
Sts. Philip and James, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Easter season ends on Pentecost, May 19, represented by the liturgical color white — the color of light, a symbol of joy, purity, and innocence.

These are some of the most relevant feasts and solemnities:

May 3: Philip and James, Apostles
May 9 or 12: Ascension Sunday or the Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 13: Our Lady of Fatima
May 14: Matthias, Apostle
May 15: Isidore the Farmer
May 19: Pentecost
May 20: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
May 26: Trinity Sunday
May 31: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Holy Father's Intentions for May 2024 are for the Formation of Religious and Seminarians. We pray that religious women, men, and seminarians grow in their vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual, and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

• The Audio Podcast of this Rosary is Available Here Now!

Friends of the Rosary,

St. Joseph has two feast days on the liturgical calendar. The first is March 19—Joseph, the Saint Husband of Mary. The second is May 1—Joseph, the Worker.

Today, the Holy Catholic Church presents us the example of Saint Joseph the Worker to all laborers.

This is a feast day established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to Christianize the concept of labor and give all workmen a model and a protector.

The husband of the Blessed Mother Mary offered to God his daily labor as a carpenter with patience and joy. St. Joseph provided for the necessities of Mary and Jesus.

Another Pope, Leo XIII, wrote wisely: "Workmen and all those laboring in conditions of poverty will have reasons to rejoice rather than grieve, since they have in common with the Holy Family daily preoccupations and cares"

Pope John Paul II said, "Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God." 

Joseph was a compassionate man, and obedient to the will of God. He is the patron of many things, including the universal Church, fathers, the dying, and social justice.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Joseph, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today is the Memorial of St. Pius V (1504-1572), a Pope known for his deep prayer, fasting, and love for the truth.

As Pius V, he worked to implement the Tridentine reforms, promulgated the first Roman Catechism, and formalized the mysteries of the Rosary.

He organized European monarchs to defend Christendom against the Ottoman Empire, culminating in the victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1572, which he credited to the Rosary.

To Protestantism, which had proclaimed the Reformation, St. Pius replied by applying the decrees of the Council of Trent for the reform of the Church.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Pius V, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today is the Memorial Day of St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), virgin and Doctor of the Church and a leading saint in the fourteenth century who acquired great influence with her life of prayer, extraordinary mortifications, and the spread of her spiritual writings.

She was a tertiary in the Dominican Order, favored with visions from age of seven. Her miracles and ecstasies were remarkable. A helper and a consoler in every need, her reputation of sanctity soon spread even to secular matters.

Thousands came to see her, to be converted by her. The priests associated with her received extraordinary faculties of absolution.

She journeyed to Avignon and persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome. Even though she barely reached the age of thirty-three, her accomplishments place her among the great women of the Middle Ages.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

In today's passage in the Gospel, Lord Jesus declares that He is the vine and we are the branches. In other words, He is the power and energy source we live in — the source of supernatural life on us.

If we separate from the source, we die spiritually. If we are connected to it, we will live forever.

Friends of the Rosary,

In honor of Mary, the Immaculate Mother, we praise and thank the Lord through the Joyful Mysteries we pray today.

And we continue reading John 14. In today's Gospel (Jn 14:7-14), Lord Jesus reveals the coinherence that obtains within the very existence of God.

He says to his disciples:

"The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves."

"And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

At that time, Lord Jesus summarized in a few words the meaning of our human existence (Jn 14:1-6):

“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”

He explained to the disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.

In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today is the Feast of St. Mark, the Evangelist, the author of the second Gospel, a Jewish Christian baptized and instructed by St. Peter.

The Gospel of Mark, written in 50 A.D. for Roman Gentile converts, records St. Peter’s preaching about Our Lord. It rarely quotes the Old Testament and carefully explains Jewish customs, rites, and words. It excels in portraying Christ’s and His hearers’ emotions and affections.

St. Mark accompanied St. Paul and his cousin St. Barnabas in the evangelization of Cyprus before he became the companion and secretary of St. Peter in Rome about the year 42 A.D.

St. Mark preached in Egypt, especially in Alexandria, and was martyred there.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

St. Mark, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Jesus cried out and said, as we read today (Jn 12:44-50):

"I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world."

In this passage of the Gospel of John, Jesus made clear, once again, that he and the Father are one.

God from God, Light from Light, as we say in the Creed.

Christ is the Lord, the Holy One who governs the universe, with absolute dominion over nature — visible and invisible.

And He came into the world as light to save our eternal souls.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

People who do not believe are not among the Lord Jesus’ flock. They refuse to be part of the Kingdom of God. These are truly blind and, sadly, do not manage well their free will.
They might be dominant in our society.

At that time, Jesus the Good Shepherd said to the Jews (Jn 10:22-30) in Jerusalem during the feast of the Dedication, as we read in the New Testament today:

“You do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ”

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.”

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Jesus said — as we read today (Jn 10:1-10):

“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved.”

“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Lord Jesus is calling every one of us by our name.

The Good Shepherd knows what’s hidden in our hearts, and He is leading us out to our salvation and communion with Him.

We are invited to avoid following strangers, thieves, and robbers. They come to slaughter and destroy our souls.

Only the Author of Life truly understands and forgives us, loving us unconditionally.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, we see in the Gospel of John John (6:60–69), at the end of its sixth chapter, how many disciples of Lord Jesus abandoned Him and returned to their former way of life. 
"The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe," said Jesus. 
When He asked whether the Twelve would leave too, Peter answered, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus comes to us through the Flesh and Blood of the Eucharist and like Peter and the apostles we want to walk with the Holy One of God.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Easter is a time of rejoicing for every Christian. It’s a time for thanking and praising our Holy God. Christ's resurrection caused and guaranteed our own. Our eternal joy has been won for us by Christ.

The enigma of human existence has troubled agnostic philosophers and scholars down through the ages and still today. But this mystery finds its explanation in the risen Jesus.

Physical death is not the end for man, with all his intellect, talents, and God-given graces. We are meant to find our fulfillment in the true life to come, which lasts for eternity.

But before entering the glory of Heaven, we must endure our own Gethsemanes and Calvaries, as Christ did.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Christianity and the Catholic Church — the continuation of Christ’s work among us — has existed for almost two thousand years. It’s the longest institution that has ever existed on earth.

Without the Holy Spirit and the certainty of the Resurrection — that we celebrate on Easter — our faith would be worthless.

"If Christ has not risen," St. Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:17, "vain is your faith, for you are still in your sins." But "Christ has risen from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep."

His resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection. We will all rise in glory if we have been faithful during our time in this valley of tears.

The foundation of our faith is the Word of God.

Today, we pray the Luminous Mysteries from San Diego, CA.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

And He will deliver us from the perils of eternal death, to enjoy the endless happiness of Heaven. We pray today’s Glorious Mysteries from San Diego, CA.

By following the example of the risen Christ, we prepare ourselves to imitate His humility.

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we might not at first recognize that Christ Jesus is alive and walking with us.

But through constant prayer, especially the Rosary of Mary, we will open our minds to Jesus.

He will restore the virtues of faith, hope, and joy in us for this earthly life. And He will deliver us from the perils of eternal death so that we may enjoy the endless happiness of Heaven.

Today, we pray the Glorious Mysteries from San Diego, CA.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

People often complain when they experience injustice and wickedness. Also, James and John once wished that Jesus would call down fire from Heaven and destroy the sinful cities. However, this is the spirit of the world, not the spirit of Christ.

“The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save" (Luke 9:55).

In the proper time, God will impart divine justice, in His own way.

For the present, He allows weeds to grow among the wheat.

Our mission is to follow in the steps of Christ, the unjustly suffering servant. He didn’t come to right all the injustices and wrongs of the world.

We pray today’s Sorrowful Mysteries from San Diego, CA.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Our spiritual life is based — or it should be based — in one single premise: “Believe in the One sent by God the Father.”

The risen Jesus gives us through his disciples another critical advice—as we read today (Jn 6:22-29)

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

This way, when we start the third week of Easter, we are invited to seek what’s above, avoiding to think from an earthly perspective.

Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps,” St. Peter says in one of his epistles.

Jesus didn’t deserve to suffer for did no sin, and nevertheless was subject to persecution and injustice.

We pray today's Joyful Mysteries from San Diego, CA.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today, on the Third Sunday of Easter, while we celebrate the risen Jesus we pray hard for peace in the Middle East. Yesterday, Iran fired hundreds of exploding drones and missiles in its first direct attack on Israel after years of a shadow war.

We invoke Our Lady of Peace, the Blessed Mother, so people open their minds to Jesus and understand the necessity of peace in the world.

Jesus, the Prince of Life and Peace, is more alive than ever and is on our side.

"Peace be with you," told the apostles when he stood in their midst, as we read in the Gospel today (Lk 24:35-48).

Christ walked with his first followers when they had lost all hope and restored their faith and joy.

Today, when war tensions escalate, we must humbly open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, allowing ourselves to be helped.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Christ Jesus, who demonstrates his authority over nature, comes to save us, encouraging us not to be afraid.

As we read today (Jn 6:16-21), Jesus walks on the stirred sea heading into the boat with the terrified disciples, and says to them: "It is I. Do not be afraid." 

In the Scriptures, the sea was something to be feared. Water was a symbol of danger and chaos.

The boat, with Peter and the other followers, is evocative of the Church, which moves through all types of storms across history.

So Jesus walking on water symbolizes God's control over the elements, including the chaotic sea and the powers of darkness and disorder. The Spirit of the Lord hovers over the surface of the waters. 

The faithful should not fear the chaotic elements of nature or life. Instead, we should place our complete trust in our Holy God.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Jesus' multiplication of bread and fish, feeding a crowd of 5,000, is the only one of the miracles included in all four of the Gospel accounts.

This miracle greatly influenced the understanding of the first Christians of the Lord's identity and mission.

This passage — we read about it today in the Gospel — was followed by Christ's Bread of Life discourse, in which He explained his teaching on the Eucharist to the crowd.

He drew the connection between the miraculous feeding and the institution of the sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

Then and today Christ Jesus is giving us the Bread of Life. The Eucharist is the place where heaven and earth meet, with the Lord’s sacred Body offered up and his precious Blood poured out.

The Sorrowful Mysteries that we pray today are the re-presentation of the sacrifice of the Cross.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

St. Paul wrote that God's love for us is an excess since it exceeds and surpasses what reason can comprehend and desire.

He also calls the love of God "foolishness". This foolishness is reparation for that other foolishness which is sin.

In today's Gospel reading, we learn:

Friends of the Rosary,

God came into us purely out of love, out of his desire we flourish.

The entire universe is moving restlessly toward the unity of the souls with God. And Christ Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s salvific intent.

"Creation is nothing but the overflow from the intensity of Trinitarian love," wrote Bishop Barron. "All things flow from and are marked by the Spiritus Sanctus (Holy Spirit). He is their ground, their secret origin, their principle."

Christ revealed to us the divine goal: the sharing of the love between the Father, who has given his only Son to the world, and the Son, who has offered himself back to the Father.

Friends of the Rosary,

We celebrated yesterday the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

Today, we possess the knowledge Mary didn’t have at the time of the Annunciation — the knowledge about the plans of her Son, the Incarnate Word, would unfold on earth.

We are fortified by Mary’s trust in God at the Annunciation and encouraged to trust the Divine Mercy and the Divine Will to be open to God’s redirection of our lives.

In choosing to follow God, we trust in Jesus. We surrender to Him to be molded and “changed into his likeness,” as it is necessary for one’s growth in holiness (2 Cor 3:18).

Trusting God, as Mary did at the Annunciation, ultimately opens the gates of Heaven for us. God only desires the good of our souls.

Learning to trust Him in all the situations of our lives is the answer to bringing the true peace and hope we long for.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the first Joyful Mystery.

The Holy Spirit comes through the Archangel Gabriel to Mary and imparts to her the gift of all gifts, a divine Son.

In humble acceptance, the Virgin Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38).

Having been conceived immaculately, Mary's body became the Living Tabernacle of the Lord.

Accordingly, she answered in nearly the same words her Divine Son used on many occasions — thy will be done.

The Annunciation can be thought of as a precursor to Pentecost.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

Today is the Sunday of Divine Mercy, the Octave Day of Easter, and we confidently say: Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy upon us and the whole world.

The Divine Mercy Sunday origin is from a revelation to the Polish nun Saint Faustina Maria Kowalska, the mystic of the twentieth century who initiated the Divine Mercy devotion.

Between 1930 and 1938 Jesus requested to her numerous times a Feast of Divine Mercy. On May 5, 2000, five days after the canonization of Saint Faustina, the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would be Divine Mercy Sunday.

God the Father revealed his nature of pure love through the Scriptures and the life, Passion, death, and Resurrection of his Son.

It’s the mystery of God’s divine mercy, a gift of humanity, described by Pope Saint John Paul II as “the greatest of the attributes and perfections of God” (Dives in misericordia, 13).

The risen Jesus offers His love that pardons, reconciles, and gives peace.

----------
Jesus to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska

—Excerpted from Diary of Sr. M. Faustina Kowalska

On one occasion, I heard these words: "My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.

The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.

"[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice.

"From all My wounds, like from streams, mercy flows for souls, but the wound in My Heart is the fountain of unfathomable mercy. From this fountain spring all graces for souls. The flames of compassion burn Me. I desire greatly to pour them out upon souls. Speak to the whole world about My mercy."

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

On this Sunday of Divine Mercy, we will reflect upon the revelation of God's mercy. Christ didn't come to condemn but to forgive, to show mercy. 
We intend to be filled with the Holy Spirit, trying to learn from the early Church when the first Christians dedicated themselves to the good of the other, as we read this Easter in the Act of the Apostle.
They were selfless and generous. They lived with the faith that conquers the world. 
And we recall the words of Saint Augustine, "Mercy is heartfelt sympathy for another's distress, impelling us to succor him if we can."
Let's ask for the intercession of Mary Mother of Mercy. 

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

Friends of the Rosary,

For a third time, the Risen Jesus revealed himself to a large group of Apostles after being raised from the dead (Jn 21:1-14).

The passage occurred in the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee). It was before the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost.

There were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons (James and John), and two others of his disciples.

The Apostles had returned to their old fishing job.

Having fished all night and caught nothing, they returned to shore early in the morning.

Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"

When they disappointedly replied, “No,” He told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some”.

Without further comment, they threw their net out and caught 153 large fish, collectively far too many and too heavy a catch for them to haul onboard the boat.

John, intuitively recalling Jesus’ previous miraculous catch of fish, recognized that it was Jesus standing on the shore and he said to Simon Peter, “It is the Lord”.

When Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you have just now caught,” Simon Peter went and dragged the remainder of the untorn net out of the water and retrieved some fish from it.

Jesus then said, “Come have breakfast” and he “took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish”.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!

To Jesus through Mary!

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York