Regnum Christi and Lumen families and friends enjoyed an evening of hospitality and prayer at the Connecticut home of Lisa and Bob Rooney whose backyard was in near full bloom. Mary Smith and Luly Fernandez, Consecrated Women of RC from the DC community, graciously provided and handed each family a personalized votive candle. The candles were lit and held throughout the praying of the Rosary, providing a golden glow to the faces of the participants and illuminating Mary’s statue.

In the end, the candles were collected and taken back by Mary and Luly to be placed in the chapel in their home in DC. In the coming weeks, each one will burn in the sanctuary lamp for eight days, and the consecrated women will pray for the intentions of the family who held it. Everyone commented on how their hearts were touched and warmed by this gesture.

Fr. Eric Nielsen, Regnum Christi Chaplain, led us in praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Lay women and men took turns announcing the mysteries, the accompanying scripture verses and meditations, and the closing prayers. The evening ended with a moving and inspirational reflection by Luly Fernandez. She reminded us of the incredible, even miraculous power of prayer, especially in the praying of the Rosary. As the guests departed, each received in place of their candle a fully bloomed white rose to remind us of Mary’s glories, and a package of seeds for a Marian flower, to begin their own Mary Garden.