Two years ago I had no idea how to pray. Sure, I was able to find a nice prayer online, or maybe think up something on the spot that sounded nice, but I didn’t know what I was actually saying. I didn’t know what was actually behind it. 

Then I came to Ireland. It most definitely was not some magic luck of the Irish that I suddenly gained when I stepped off of the plane in Dublin. But after two years, two communities, and six different community members, my prayer life is completely different and improved. I’m able to use prayer to feel connected and reflect back on my day and life. I’m able to sort out my feelings and desires, my gratitude and regret, and all the while doing it peacefully and collectively. I in no way am an expert – nor do I ever believe that I will become perfect in the act. But after my time in Ireland, prayer is no longer a foreign concept that I only pretend to understand.

So I figured, for my last blog post over these past two years, why not have a little group prayer with anyone who happens to read this. Last week I led a community prayer for my housemates. In honor of it being May – the month devoted to celebrating and praying intercessions to Mary – we prayed a full Rosary. However, I posed a challenge to myself and my housemates: at every bead, try to think of a specific person in your life based off of prompts from the Glorious Mysteries for each decade. Below I am going to be writing out essentially what was in my head and heart during this prayer. As you read along, I encourage you to grab a set of Rosary Beads yourself, and try to think of people in your own life. Or, if you’d rather, read along with my prayers. Maybe you’ll be just as touched as I was when I realized how many people I truly have to thank for all of my time over the past two years here in the Emerald Isle.

 

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We offer this Rosary for our families in Ireland and back at home. We thank them for all they have done for us and given to us in our short time here.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

The First Glorious Mystery is the Resurrection of Jesus.

Try to think of ten people who have helped you on your faith journey.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

  • My Mom

Thank you for waking me up on Sunday mornings and dragging me to church.

  • Katie
  • Emily

Thank you both for being strong enough in your faith, and confident enough in yourselves, to be able to talk to me about it, and allow me the space to learn and grow from you.

  • Fr. Gary

Thank you for answering all of my absurd liturgical questions about apostles, politics, and everything in between.

  • Katherine

Thank you for the walks, the talks, the laughs, and especially the enchiladas.

  • LAG

Lead Me, Lord.

  • Meyer
  • Steve

To my two greatest Mentors: thank you for everything, truly.

  • Declan

Thank you for your kindness, your jokes, and all you do for Clonard.

  • The cab driver who told me his faith journey

Glory be to the Father…

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.

The Second Glorious Mystery is the Ascension of Jesus

Try to think of ten people who have given you hope, or have taught you an important lesson.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

  • My Dad

You continue to teach me new lessons all the time – from mowing the lawn, to enjoying life.

  • Maddie
  • Emma

You both have been there when I desperately needed someone, and continue to always be a voice of hope in my head and heart.

  • Fr. Barry

You constantly surprise me with your kindness, commitment to others, and honesty (hah). 

  • Clare
  • Annibee
  • Joseph

Life is not always easy, and things often go wrong. But you three have shown me that even in those times, kindness and hospitality can make you feel close, even when far away.

  • Sammie
  • Morgan
  • Dan

You three have shown me the importance of having fun and being yourself – something I often forget to do.

Glory be to the Father…

O My Jesus…

The Third Glorious Mystery is the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

Try to think of ten people who have provided you with a gift, or have made you feel closer to God

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

  • Katy
  • Shannon

You both have truly shown to me what it is like to feel loved and cared for. Thank you both for everything.

  • Fr. Denis

Your kindness and generosity will always amaze me. Thank you and FB for taking care of us this year.

  • Sr. Anne
  • Sr. Mary and everyone at Ballyvaloo

Your willingness to help teach, listen to, and allow a group of loud young Americans to grow shows how incredible you all really are.

  • Marianne, Chuck, the Calcutts, and everyone at ND

Thank you for this amazing gift and opportunity. I will never forget it.

  • Michele
  • Dominique
  • James, Matt, and everyone else within the Newman Vocare Choir
  • Peter, Ruairi, and everyone else within the FLG, Folk Choir, or Vigil Choir at Clonard

Music has always brought me closer to God. Thank you for allowing me to make beautiful music with you all these past two years.

Glory be to the Father…

O My Jesus…

The Fourth Glorious Mystery is the Assumption of Mary into Heaven

Try to think of ten people who you long to reunite with – either in Heaven or here on Earth.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

  • Pat

Thank you for asking the questions that I am now trying to answer.

  • Grandma
  • Auntie
  • All of those family members who I have heard so much about, but was never able to meet

I cannot wait to see you all again someday.

  • Nicole
  • Courtney
  • Chris

Being kids together was fun, being adults together will be even better. Can’t wait to crash on your couches.

  • My friends from NJ
  • My friends from BC

You all know who you are – and I’ll see you all real soon.

  • Toby

All dogs go to Heaven, so save me a spot where you are.

Glory be to the Father…

O My Jesus…

The Fifth Glorious Mystery is the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Try to think of ten final people who you feel love and joy with or from.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

  • Stephanie

Thank you for being one of our only young – and one of our best – friends in Wexford

  • Mary
  • Stasia
  • All of the Tea Ladies
  • Sr. Ita and all of the Sisters of Mercy
  • Sr. Carmella and all of the St. John of God Nuns

You all have left impressions on me in ways that I will never forget or take for granted. I cannot thank you all enough.

  • The entire Conroy family

Thank you for your insurmountable level of kindness and for taking care of and befriending HoBDub, mine and every year.

  • Any and all children that I have been able to work with over my time in Ireland

Thanks for hopefully laughing with me and not at me.

  • The food and employees of Camden Rotisseries
  • The food and employees of Charred

Honestly: thank you.

Glory be to the Father…

O My Jesus…

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our signs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. 

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Saint Brigid, pray for us.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.