Our Blessed Mother cares deeply about us, her children. Mary intercedes for us as we pray, bringing our petitions to her Son. One of the ways we can connect our prayers with Mary’s is through reciting the Rosary, a powerful prayer and devotion for many Catholics.
Here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Rosary Cenacles Prayer Group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. to pray and gather in fellowship together. Marie Estabrook facilitates and leads the ministry.
“I’ve been going for so many years,” Marie says. “I love the Rosary myself, that’s my most wonderful prayer — I just love it and I love getting together.”
Each week, the group gathers in the rectory meeting room to intercede for the Holy Father and his intentions, for priests, to end abortion, and for world peace. If members have special prayer requests, these are also included in their prayer time. They pray through three mysteries of the Rosary — Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious — with the whole meeting lasting for about an hour and a half.
The group began meeting more than 20 years ago as a response to Our Lady’s call made known to Fr. Stefano Gobbi, an Italian priest who was said to have received messages from the Blessed Mother from 1975 to 1997. The messages are recorded in a book the group uses at each meeting.
“We read from that book of what the Blessed Mother had spoken to him,” Marie says.
Marie has been part of the group since its beginning when more than 20 people attended regularly. Now the group is smaller in number, with members having moved or passed away over the years.
“I’m the longest one who’s been in the group,” Marie says.
But the group is always open to new members who wish to take up this special devotion. Anyone who wishes to attend may drop in at any time, no commitment or registration is required.
For more information or to help out with the Rosary Cenacles Prayer Group, contact Marie Estabrook at 386-447-0847.