MAGGIE PAWSEY
STAFF WRITER
Beloved First Truth Household offered students the opportunity to enroll in the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary in celebration of the centennial anniversary of Fatima on Oct.13.
Beloved First Truth (BFT) invited the Rev. Benedict Croell, OP to lead the ceremony in the International Lounge and to induct new members into the confraternity. Everyone prayed a decade of the Sorrowful Mysteries together, and the inductees knelt and promised to “promote in every way possible the honor of Our Blessed Lady and devotion to her Rosary.”
Croell, director of vocations for the Eastern Province of Dominicans, spoke about the power of Mary’s intercession. “All of us are being perfected by God’s grace,” he said. “But the Blessed Mother, she takes whatever we offer, whatever’s lacking within us, and she makes it beautiful.”
The only obligation of the Dominican-founded Confraternity is to pray at least 15 decades of the Rosary every week and to keep other members in your intentions. This obligation does not bind under sin, Croell explained, but “it can only help you.” He also encouraged students to “pray the rosary each day … if you do that, you will not miss your vocation.”
Jessica Flores, senior and coordinator of BFT, said she wanted to put on the event especially this month, on the 100th anniversary of the miracle of the sun at Fatima.
“Who wouldn’t want to enroll in the confraternity?” Flores asked. “Either you’re already praying the Rosary, so you’re not going to need to do anything extra. Or if you want more motivation to be committed to the Rosary … I think enrolling in the confraternity is a beautiful way to do that and give honor to our Blessed Mother.”
Thomas Wheeler, a junior who enrolled in the Confraternity that day, said he already prays the Rosary every day as part of his household commitment. He decided, “I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, and I’ll sign up. I’ll get extra graces and have the Dominicans watching my back spiritually … No reason not to!”
Flores said BFT hopes to make the Rosary Confraternity enrollment an annual event. The household also plans to offer enrollment in the Confraternity of Angelic Warfare in the spring.
To learn more about the Confraternity, please visit rosaryconfraternity.org.