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Family Faith Formation

Family Faith Formation is designed for parents to learn about the faith with their children. There has been an increase in the number of parishes in the Diocese of Paterson offering this program. It’s a wonderful way for parents to engage with their children at home to keep the faith alive.

I was invited to present the Brown Scapular and the Holy Rosary devotions to St. Mary’s Parish in Denville, NJ. I did two presentations on March 9th and the 16th to grade 1 and grades 3-8. All four presentations were well attended, and parents as well as children were extremely engaged while listening to my presentation about these two beautiful gifts Our Lady has given us.

All the children received a Brown Scapular and a Holy Rosary. In addition, they received a Rosary guide, a Brown Scapular leaflet, and a flyer with the 15 promises Our Lady has given us for praying the Holy Rosary, and quotes from saints revealing to us why we should pray it. The flyer also talked about the Five First Saturday Devotion.

Much to my surprise the Knights of Columbus were promoting the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima for families to take home and pray the Holy Rosary as a family. The Blessed Mother had this all planned. The Director of Formation did not know that the statue was going to be at the parish at the time of my presentations. At the end of ALL my presentations, I always give them a homework assignment, which is to pray the Holy Rosary with their families! Remember, there are NO coincidences.

My presentation usually falls on a Carmelite feast day or a day dedicated to the Blessed Mother. When I did a Google search for Our Lady’s feast days, March 9th came up. It turns out that Our Lady of Savigny (France) in the Diocese of Avranches (in the year 1112) established a foundation called the Abbey of Savigny in honor of the Blessed Mother. This day commemorates the blessed Vitalis, hermit, who was the first abbot. During the time that blessed Vitalis was abbot of Savigny, a monk who had a deep devotion to Our Lady was saying Mass one day, in honor of Our Lady, beheld the Virgin’s hand while making the sign of the cross over the chalice at the consecration of the wine. Suddenly, a sweet fragrance surrounded him. This sweet fragrance of the Blessed Mother was often present while saying Mass, and numerous miracles have taken place there.

At the end of each presentation Father Stephen enrolled everyone into the Brown Scapular. Another successful presentation because of the intercession of Our Blessed Mother!!! I could not do it without her OR her son, Jesus Christ!!

Until next time, have a fruitful Lenten season.