THE PILGRIM ROSARY

Dear Marie,

In July of 1959, Dolores and Steve were joined in marriage at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Plains, Pennsylvania.

In that same year of 1959, Pope John XXIII made an announcement calling for the first Ecumenical Council since 1870.

One of the invited delegates to this Ecumenical Council was Bishop Stefan Woznicki of the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan.

While in Rome, Bishop Woznicki purchased a rosary as a wedding gift for Dolores and Steve.

Soon after, he met with Pope John XXIII and asked that his Holiness personally bless this rosary.

When the Bishop returned to the United States in 1960, he called for a meeting at the family homestead.

At this gathering, he presented the Blessed Rosary to Dolores and Steve.

In 1962, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council in Rome.

In 1963, Pope John XXIII died.
In 1968, Bishop Woznicki died
In 1989, Dolores died

Since this Rosary has personal and historic significance, I would like you to accept, to keep and to protect this Rosary for as long as you are able.

Love,
Steve



Marie received this letter along with a package containing the rosary. She was delighted to be the recipient of this gift. She called Steve to thank him. In the ensuing conversation, he told her that when Dolores died, he put the rosary in a closet. He was very depressed at the time. The rosary stayed there for years.



He had forgotten about it. One day, as he was passing the closet, a strange feeling came over him. Someone needed help. It seemed as if the rosary was calling to him. He felt that someone needed help..He thought of Marie who had gone through difficult times. He decided to send this rosary to her.

Maries sister, Deb, was involved in a serious crisis at this time. Marie was aware of the problems in Debs life. She called her and said, "this rosary was meant for you".

Both sisters had been scheduled to meet in Colonial Williamsburg the next day and Marie would give her the rosary. Perfect timing, the rosary would be hand delivered rather than put into the mail.



Steve was told about this and decided to meet his sisters in Colonial Williamsburg. It was a wonderful family reunion. Marie gave the rosary to Deb. At that time, she said that this will be our Pilgrim Rosary. It will travel to the person in the family who needs it the most.

AND SO THE JOURNEY BEGAN...........



Deb prayed the rosary every single day. She carried it in her purse during the day and kept it under her pillow at night. This was a difficult time in her life and she needed help. And so she continued to pray. She prayed to the Blessed Mother and God. Her prayer was for strength to get through these difficult times. And also the wisdom to make good decisions that would have an impact on other lives.



Her prayers were answered. She received strength and guidance. There was light at the end of the tunnel. But............still .........things were not back to normal and never would be. She had to accept that. But prayer had helped her to accept.......



Marie had told her to keep the rosary until someone else asked for it. And so the rosary was with her in Mexico when she broke her leg.



The Orthopedic surgeon at the hospital told her that she would require surgery. She asked for another opinion before resorting to surgery in Mexico. While waiting for another Surgeon to arrive, she took out the GREEN CHRYSTAL ROSARY and started to pray for guidance. Her broken leg would heal one way or another in time. Actually in less time than the healing of her broken heart.



Simply concentrating on prayer kept her mind off of her painful broken leg. The color green of the rosary reminded her of peace and healing. She reflected on that as well.



Examination time again...........The second Orthopedic surgeon came in and felt that surgery was required. But then he paused, conferred with the first surgeon and said that he just had a fleeting thought. They re looked at the ex-rays and suggested an alternative course.



There was a slim possibility that they could set the leg and see if it would mend without surgery. The chances were slim but possible. If the setting and cast did not work, then the leg would have to be broken again and pins put in place. That would be done in the United-States.



Deb kept fingering the rosary and felt confident that setting the leg would work.



The Surgeons then asked her what color cast she would like to wear. She started to laugh. She only saw casts in white before. Now she had a choice. With the green rosary still in her hand, she said that she would like a GREEN cast. For peace and healing.



The green cast was put on and she returned to the resort where she was staying. Her green cast received many comments.
As did her wheelchair.


Her leg took longer than usual to heal but heal it did. She did not have to have it rebroken. It healed perfectly. Her heart was also starting to heal................



Marie called when she returned and asked her to send the Pilgrim Rosary on to someone who needed prayer and healing. This she did.



Weeks later, she received a phone call. Once again praying the rosary worked............



I believe that Steve died in 1999. He was pleased that Marie wanted to share this rosary with others but Marie is all about sharing in life. She is a very special woman and an inspiration to all who know her.