“I AM the first and the last; the beginning and the end; the Alpha and the Omega.” (Revelation 22:13)

As Catholics, we approach Jesus' mother as our own. We turn to Mary as an example of how to love her son best, and we have been given the Rosary to journey alongside her as we meditate on the life of her son. 

Those who are not familiar with the Rosary often misunderstand what the Rosary is and why we pray it:

Myth: When Catholics pray the Rosary, we pray to Mary. 

Fact: When Catholics pray the Rosary, we pray to Jesus through the intercession of Mary. 

Myth: The Rosary is not biblical.

Fact: The Rosary follows the life of Jesus Christ throughout each mystery, as described in the Gospels. 

Myth: When we are praying each of the four prayers, we are offering it to the Blessed Mother, God the Father, and God the Son only. 

Fact: When we are praying each prayer, we are offering it to Jesus, but we are also asking for prayers of intercession from the Blessed Mother and God the Father. 

The Rosary is a Christocentric prayer. What does this mean? It means that Christ remains at the center of our lives. He is a constant, central presence throughout our days, and serves as a continual reminder, especially through the practice of the Rosary, to walk with the Blessed Mother daily. He is our beginning and our end. In Ephesians 1:10, we read from God the Father “that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ.” We are called to thrive in the fullness of the Lord. But, how can we connect this fulfillment with the Rosary? 

Each time we begin the Rosary, we walk alongside Mary, and together, we truly experience the life of her Son. The mysteries of the Rosary guide us through His life through the eyes of His most holy mother. The mysteries are beautiful, biblical examples of Jesus’ devotion to our salvation. For example, the Our Father and the Hail Mary are taken straight from Scripture. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, we more deeply engage with our Lord in prayer. Just as Luke writes in his first book, “Blessed art thou among women,” we see very clearly the strength and true grace Mary offers to us each time we prayerfully examine the life of her Son. She serves as a symbol of strength and guidance as we continue on our daily journey of praying the Rosary. 

As you pour your morning coffee, set out for crisp autumn strolls along fluttering pathways, or simply sneak a break from work, study, or everyday life, bring your rosary with you and capture those grounding moments and the infusion of Jesus’ Christ-centric presence that your heart craves. The Ghirelli Fall in Love Collection encourages us to connect our hearts via the Blessed Mother’s friendship and intercession to God and each other. 

Christ is the only redeemer and absolute exemplar. Through the help and guidance from our Mother most blessed among women, we learn to more fully witness and understand how we can keep Christ at the center of the Rosary and our everyday lives. Share with us how you are keeping Christ as the center of your life this month, and how you are falling in love with a Christ-centric relationship with your faith. 

A Prayer to Keep Christ at the Center of Our Lives