Those who regularly pray the Rosary need no encouragement. For the rest, the arrival of another Rosary Month may help to recover the meditative aspects of this egalitarian prayer form. October brings much to intercede for: Respect Life Sunday, World Habitat Day, International Day of Non-Violence (all on 2), Child Health Day (3), Rite of Blessing of the Animals (4), World Teachers' Day (5), World Mental Health Day (10), World Food Day (16), Poverty Eradication Day (17), World Mission Sunday (23), and Pastoral/Spiritual Care Week (23-29).

How do you view the notion of “duty” in your life? Do you feel overwhelmed by duties, perhaps resentful at times because of all that is expected of you?

If something is good, then more is obviously better. This notion is elevated to an axiom in our consumer culture, and it works just as well for food (have another helping), sweaters (I’ll take one in every color), entertainment (what this country needs is one more cop show), and stuff in general (Q: How many vehicles can the average American fit in the average garage? A: None! That’s where the house overflow is stored!).

My niece, Annamarie is married with two adult children. She loves taking chances. Always has. When she was 4 years old, she announced to me that she was going to jump from the landing five steps above my parent’s front door. I told her that it was too dangerous and that she could certainly hurt herself. She nodded and hung her head, saddened.

It happened that in a small Russian village adjoining the grounds of a great monastery, a young girl brought up public accusations that one of the abbey’s most prominent monks had forced her into sexual acts. The village became vengeful. The authorities came to the monastery at once and demanded the monk.

Brothers and sisters, let us be quick to acknowledge our sins and be patient as we wait for forgiveness and absolution.

Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.