just call me judas

A few days ago, a friend and I were discussing that fact that although all of the rosary mysteries are meaningful and worthy of much meditation, the most profound for us are the Sorrowful Mysteries. I think perhaps that just happens when one’s relationship not just with God but with the world has been rocky

joyful mysteries from the magnificat

In the nativity, we think of the sweet baby Jesus, we sing “away in a manger” and “joy to the world,” celebrating the reasons that Jesus came, and excited about God being with us. But let’s turn now to Mary’s calling.

penitential rosary

I wanted to share a way in which I pray the rosary in a penitential manner when I’ve fucked up and need God’s help, especially with something in particular, which in this case was pride. Here’s an outline of how I do that, with an example that I prayed recently, after I had already done

seeking family

Just over sixteen years ago now, I sat with a bunch of people I didn’t know in a large church in my cult in North Carolina. I was twenty years old, I was single, and back in Australia I lived on my own which was unacceptable to the church and I needed to marry. Women

the addict’s rosary

There is no addict’s rosary, but praying the sorrowful mysteries often reminds me of powerlessness. One of the first things an addict in recovery does is admit powerlessness. I don’t like it any more now than I did when I first started recovery, but it’s necessary all the same. Without admitting powerlessness, I can’t get

baby jesus cried

The last two times I have prayed the Joyful Mysteries on the rosary, I have seen Jesus, just after birth, wrapped in weird looking blankets, and in his mother Mary’s arms. He’s just been fed, and he does not need to be changed. He fusses as he squirms in Mary’s arms, and with that, he