Rosary of Modern Sorrows
Register at www.fsolph.org/events/ today to join the Sisters, as well as old and new friends, to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Rosary. The evening of Tuesday, October 7th, we will pray a new rosary — the Rosary of Modern Sorrows — together via Zoom. This contemporary rosary is for peace and hope in our troubled and divided world. Each decade reminds us of a specific social justice intention, as well as the challenges and responsibilities of Catholic Social Teaching. The prayers allow us to recognize and lift our voices together on behalf of all of our brothers and sisters, each created in God’s love and likeness.
The guided meditation of the Rosary of Modern Sorrows directs hearts and minds to the pain and suffering of many of our brothers and sisters in the U.S. and around the world. Each decade of the physical rosary is comprised of a type of beautiful bead representing a group of oppressed or hurting people in our world. Through prayer, we call on God’s divine energy to shine in our hearts, and in the hearts of those folks suffering rejection, discrimination and hopelessness. Decades are connected by Tau Crosses, a symbol very important to Franciscans. Pope Francis’ Good Shepherd Cross by Vedele is the Crucifix pondered to open and close the rosary prayers.
The Rosary of Modern Sorrows is the result of the work of two professional women from North Carolina. Aimed at breaking down the barriers separating folks by faith, race, status, and income equality, their work resulted in a special jewelry initiative under a company they named Contemplative Rebellion, see https://contemplativerebellion.com/pages/about. They describe their products as “beautiful handmade jewelry with a purpose.” Hand-crafted by refugees from the Congo, the duo pays a living wage and donates a large percentage of their profits to connected organizations. It is not necessary or even encouraged to purchase their rosary to join us in prayer, but we will be using and sharing their guided meditation. We humbly offer this event along with their prayers, encouragement, and permission.