This is Holy Family School of Faith.

Well, welcome to today's Rosary meditation.

Take a moment to call to mind all those who have asked us to pray for them.

Over the last several days I've noted a tremendous amount of anxiety, fear and division.

Maybe that is why you turn to this Rosary meditation today, hoping to hear a good

word that might encourage you or give you some peace. So it is fitting today that we turn toward the east.

Many Catholics don't realize, but there are actually 23 churches which make up the communion of the Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church is one of those churches and of course the largest, and the Pope

is the visible sign of unity amongst all the churches. These other churches are generally known as

Eastern Catholic churches, many of whom never left communion with Rome or returned

after the great schism between Rome and Constantinople. St. John Paul

the second as Pope being from Eastern Europe labored tirelessly to restore

unity between the Eastern Orthodox in Rome. Constantly he spoke to the church about needing to breathe with both lungs.

So today we take a deep Eastern breath by meditating on the words of a prayer,

very much beloved by Eastern Christians, both in union and out of union with Rome.

It is called the Achathist to the mother of God.

The word Achathistus comes from the Greek

Achathistus, which means standing.

So it is usually sung while you're standing,

but you can pray however you are comfortable and I won't subject you to my singing voice

Our father who art in heaven how would be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day of our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses.

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