Circle of Serenity

a little chant for Our Lady of the Rosary

Sweet Circle of Serenity,
here in my frail humanity,
the tactile means
by which I cling to Thee.
 
Dear Mother of my raw and restless heart.

The Garden where You walk with me,
 and sit beneath the tall oak tree,
 and give me Spirit's Sight
 by which I see.

 Dear Mother, Your Pure Wisdom, do impart.

From bead to bead,
as stone to stone,
I cross dark waters; deep, unknown.
Your Hand in mine, I do not cross alone.

Dear Mother, Cross in hand, again I start.
Dear Mother of my raw and restless heart.

~Cheryl Anne Maris 

With all the deeply difficult things presently happening in our world, I think it's understanding for us to be drawn towards what brings comfort. Add to the challenges on the world's stage, personal struggles of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health, and I have been in a process of actively determining what is essential to my well being and peace. 
Regardless of how my spiritual path has meandered over the decades, the practice of praying the Rosary has remained with me since childhood. At least one Rosary has been on my person almost every day since I was seven years old and first learned to meditate and pray through the Mysteries. To reach for the Rosary, I was taught, is to reach for the Hand of Our Most Loving Mother; She Who offers mercy, comfort, guidance, peace, and protection. 
Having already made an Oak Abbey post early this morning in observation of the one year anniversary of the beginning of this present war in the Middle East, I expected I would wait till tomorrow to post something from my archives, as I have been doing each Tuesday. It was my plan to take time this evening to pray a Rosary for all those affected by war and destruction, and for those in the path of yet another hurricane. Then, after work, I was speaking with my dear spiritual brother and friend, Seth, who also loves the Blessed Mother. We were making plans to pray a FaceTime Rosary sometime during the month of October, because of this month being dedicated to the practice of the Rosary in the Catholic tradition. Suddenly we both realized that today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary! It seems She has a way of always showing up when She's most needed! 
So, as a prelude to my evening prayers, and in lieu of the usual Tuesday archival post,  I offer a little chant on this special occasion; extolling the powerful love and grace present in the recitation of the Rosary. 
With love and prayers for you, Dear Readers, and for Those You Love. 
Deep Peace and Gentlest Blessings. <3