To Walk with Saints and Scholars

August 16, 2026

“Magdalene Made of Walls” Collage and Photo by LKV Walsh

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I have been a bit obsessed with the Rosary for the last year as I find myself surrounded by it and saying it with others at least two times a day. The Angelus Bells ring out at noon and six pm, and we all say parts of the Rosary on cue. A few years ago, I put my hand to seeing the prayers again – a Re-Vision if you will. I offer it here as another way to engage the love it offers.

To say this rosary:

Pick one mystery reflection to focus on each day: Joyful, Sorrowful or Glorious.

At the cross, say a word of focus and/or gratitude.

As you move from the cross toward Mary, use each of the five beads to set intentions or say blessings.

At Mary, focus on the first mystery of the day’s reflection.

For each of the ten beads between, think of examples of this mystery and/or effects of the mystery upon which you are meditating.  Be as specific as you can.  Don’t worry about remembering what came to you.  It came to your mind because it resides in your heart.  You carry it with you always.

1^st Joyful Mystery

You were born! You are here. You are a child of God.

2^nd Joyful Mystery

You were wanted enough to be worth the work of birthing and rearing you.  You have a purpose!

3^rd Joyful Mystery

A community of people nurtured you as best they could as you grew.

4^th Joyful Mystery

You were given the opportunity for education – lots of education!

5^th Joyful Mystery

Even your resistance and “naughtiness” taught you and shaped you. 

What a joyful mystery: God loves you without condition!

~~~

1^st Sorrowful Mystery

All the world hurts, and we hurt each other, and we hurt the world.

2^nd Sorrowful Mystery

We use our bodies poorly, and we use our bodies to mistreat others.

3^rd Sorrowful Mystery

We hurt each other as a means by which to feel powerful and to avoid feeling small. 

4^th Sorrowful Mystery

We all carry heavy burdens but, more often than not, we feel very alone in our suffering.  And some of us are actually alone.

5^th Sorrowful Mystery

We must choose to care about others’ sufferings more than our own if we are to stop hurting ourselves, stop hurting others, and break the cycle that brings sorrow. 

We can break the cycle of sorrow.

~~~

1^st Glorious Mystery

Suffering need not do us in, and compassion is an expression of victory.

2^nd Glorious Mystery

Our work in the world builds the vision of God for humanity. As Teresa of Avila said: “Christ has no body on earth but yours.”

3^rd Glorious Mystery

When we listen closely, our cells seem to know what we need, which way to go, and what is right for us.

4^th Glorious Mystery

The love of our community is both guide for and protection on our paths.

5^th Glorious Mystery

Even God needs a partner to make the world all it can be. 

This world is made when we bring our holy selves and our loving God into the world.