As Christ hung on the cross, John tells us, “He said to His Mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother” (Jn. 19:26-27). With that, Jesus entrusted us to Mary’s loving care.
He wants us to run to her, to offer her, the mother par excellence, our love and devotion. We know that just as she brought the needs of the wedding guests at the wedding feast at Cana to her Son when He then promptly turned the water into wine, performing His first miracle, she brings our needs to her Son with great care and concern and the utmost of impact!
“It is reassuring knowing that we are sustained in such a way by our Blessed Mother,” says Kevin Larios, coordinator of our parish’s Saturday Rosary Group. “Inviting the Blessed Mother into my life brings me a feeling of deep peace.”
Yet, Kevin admits that his relationship with Mary wasn’t always so strong. In fact, he says that although he is a cradle Catholic, it wasn’t until he joined the Knights of Columbus at the age of 36 that he was introduced to the Rosary — his relationship with and devotion to the Blessed Mother soon increased exponentially.
“When I joined the Knights of Columbus, the Rosary was introduced to me as a prayer I could pray individually and with other people,” Kevin says. “Ever since then it has been and will always be a special prayer for me. There is something about getting up on Saturday mornings — and other mornings as well — and saying the Rosary. It is a spiritual routine that I thrive on. I’ve got to have it!”
On Saturdays, Kevin joins a group of other St. Francis Xavier parishioners at the church at 8 a.m., where they pray the Rosary together before the 9 a.m. Mass. He joined this group in 2014 when it was specifically a Rosary group for men. Back then, the group would gather at 7 a.m. to pray the Rosary, and then many of the attendees would go to breakfast together. This experience gave Kevin a great appreciation for praying with others and building community through prayer.
“Although I was praying the Rosary myself by that time, I felt compelled to pray with a group,” Kevin says. “It has been such a rewarding experience. I get great joy from praying the Rosary with others who have a deep devotion to the Holy Rosary. It also has been rewarding to get to know others in our parish family that I wouldn’t otherwise know.”
So, after the COVID-19 lockdowns lifted, when the group’s previous leader stepped down, Kevin felt compelled to volunteer as the ministry’s coordinator. When he did, he opened the ministry to everyone. It is currently comprised of both men and women, and Kevin says even children are invited to join along with their parents.
It is a ministry that, though simple in action, is deeply impacting the lives of those involved. Kevin is proof of that!
Currently, there are about 14 members, and Kevin encourages all of us to consider participating.
“I realize Saturday mornings can be hard for some logistically,” Kevin says. “But the fruit of this ministry makes it well worthwhile!”
Pope St. Pius X once said, “The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the heart of the Mother of God.”
So, this ministry is fruitful indeed!
To join the Saturday Rosary Group, contact Kevin Larios at 405-780-3009 or simply join the group for their Saturday 8 a.m. gathering — they would love to have you!