B-W-A-T-E

It is wonderful that the Pope has dedicated a special year to the Rosary. Encouraging for those of us who are already practicing this devotion and a nudge to those who think it is passe. (Like maybe a DRE who I was teaching for who didn’t think the rosary was ‘appropriate’ for young children. Right. If a certain 8 year-old in my family can handle at least one decade, any child can......) It’s even being mentioned on the TV. The Tribune had an article yesterday, complete with a chart on how the Rosary is prayed. (it was missing the Fatima prayer, but still, this was the Tribune showing how to pray the Rosary - talk about weird) When was the last time we saw rosaries in the media, other than as totemic devices to indicate ‘old school religious nut?’

Now I need to find a mnemonic device to help me learn the luminous mysteries. For ages, I had to keep the letters ASCCC in mind when praying the sorrowful mysteries. (agony, scourging,crowning,carrying, crucifixion.) BWATE should work - baptism,wedding,announcement,Transfiguration,Eucharist. Kingdom would be better for announcement of the Kingdom, but I need a vowel in there.