Dear Mom,

What a wonderful letter to receive. To read that you are sincerely interested in beginning the practice of family prayer at a time when your family is very young is truly a blessing. It seems to me that the Holy Spirit is indeed leading you to the realization that family prayer is probably the most important time of the day that we will spend with our dear children.

Let me suggest that you begin tonight with saying the rosary. Your husband and you will certainly be the role models for your little girl. However it is unrealistic to expect that such a young child would be able to sit through the entire rosary. I would caution you to go slowly into the practice of the family rosary with sensitivity to the needs of your little girl.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever sat in the afternoon and watched a television program that was to your liking but of no interest to your daughter? Perhaps you enjoy watching a cooking show, etc. The rules that you use when you are watching a television show for relaxation apply to family prayer with a child that is so young.

It is alright for them to play quietly in the same room as long as they are not disrespectful or rude during the prayer time. We always light a candle (in a hurricane lamp), begin with opening prayers and novenas and then proceed with the rosary. When the children were as young as your little girl it was acceptable for them to play in the same room with quiet toys (dolls, blocks, etc) while we prayed. It was understood that they would not be required to 'say' all the prayers but it was important that they allow us to pray with quiet and peace. When the candle is lit this is the signal that we are about to begin to pray and to be fully in the presence of the Lord. (I would always turn out the lights in the rest of the house and make certain that the youngest children had had their baths, etc so that should they get sleepy a welcoming lap was ready to accommodate them for some snuggling before they fell asleep.)

To be sure there were times when it seemed that our family rosary felt like it was more work than prayer. However the Lord always honors our desire to come closer to Him and even in those times of 'less than peaceful' prayer I could feel the presence of the Lord and the great blessing of being able to pray with my children.

Now that more of our children are out and about with college, etc. this time of prayer is even more special. For me it is a cozy time when I figuratively 'tuck' each one of my dear children into the safest of arms: those of the Lord. We pray for each of the children and their spouses and our grandchildren. I believe so strongly in the power of prayer that for me it is a time that allows us the comfort of bringing our petitions to the Heart of Jesus.

Remember that prayer moves the heart of God. God has a heart that is for people. God loves people and desires to be ever present in our lives and to know our needs and concerns. God is so powerful and prayer is our human way of communicating with the good and gentle God and of receiving His guidance.

Life can be confusing, sorrowful, and frustrating when we are faced with challenges that we feel that we are unable to understand, however through prayer the Lord gently and ever so peacefully enfolds us in His embrace and helps us see ways to sort through even the worst of challenges.

Please begin family prayer and allow that the Lord will show you the best way to introduce this wonderful time to your family. I admire you very much, because you are concerning yourself with the highest of priorities and in that you will find empowerment and inspiration.

Let us prayer together a Hail Mary and offer our prayers for all those little children who do not have the great blessing of being surrounded by people who value prayer.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn