Pinging the other catholics for assistance in spreading this information and developing a groundswell of missionary activity.
God bless you Pyro, for bringing this to our attention!
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Ranger Rosaries
Staff notes by Richard Szczepanowski
As is often the case when our nation is at war, many around the country rally in support of our troops. The war in Iraq is no exception. There are groups of Catholics encouraging our men and women in the armed services who are in harm's way. They do not, however, plant Victory Gardens or forego a new pair of nylon stockings or roll bandages. This modern group of homefront warriors is making rosaries for our troops.
Dubbed "Ranger Rosaries," because they are made specially for military personnel, more than 16,000 have been sent to troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world.
"Ranger Rosaries" was a project stated by Frank "Bo" Ristaino, a parishioner of St. Mary Church in Annapolis, and a sergeant with Maryland's Army National Guard. In 1981, he thought of using parachute cord and plastic beads to make rosaries. When several of his 10 children were members of the Junior Legion of Mary and learning to make rosaries for the missions, Sgt. Ristaino, his wife and children began making the "military regulation" rosaries. The family made about 800 of them for distribution to troops deployed in Bosnia.
What makes a rosary a "Ranger" Rosary"? They are made of olive-green parachute cord and black or dark blue plastic beads. Not only does this make them heavy-duty and less likely to break, but there are no metal parts that would reflect light or make a rattling sound.
Sgt. Ristaino, along with fellow parishioners Steve Beard and Pat Evans, got several parish groups to start making the Ranger Rosaries for our troops in Iraq. Other parishes in other parts of Maryland, and then parishes throughout the country became interested in the project. Now Ranger Rosary making groups have been formed as far away as Texas, Iowa, Tennessee and Delaware. According to Evans, Delaware is "on fire with groups making the rosaries, and it's continuing to spread all over the country with chapters starting everywhere."
Evans said that in addition to the black and blue plastic beads originally used to make the rosaries, the group is now making tan-colored rosaries for use by those serving in the desert.
"We ship our rosaries to a number of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine chaplains," Evans said. "We've gotten thank you letters from all over. The rosaries are in Baghdad, other cities in Iraq, Japan, Guam, on a submarine near Alaska and other places."
She said that she knows the troops are grateful. She points to an e-mail - one of many from military chaplains - that attest to how important these rosaries are to servicemen and women.
"The soldiers have been briefed on the importance of devotion to Our Lady and we rely on her protection. The battalion has already undertaken to program a trip to Lourdes as soon as we return safely to Germany," wrote an Army chaplain, whose identity is being kept secret for security purposes. "Your rosaries have been a huge hit with everyone... Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for all of the hard work that you and your rosary making team have gone through to support our mission here in Iraq. Though the violence continues unabated, I am sure that things would have been worse had it not been for the constant intercession of Our Lady. Your efforts have helped to increase the devotion to her intercessory powers."
Evans added that chaplains have reported to her that soldiers put the rosaries on the bodies of their wounded and dead comrades.
"Even the Protestant chaplains want them for their men," Evans said. "We get letters and e-mails telling us how much this means to them because they are out there and they feel so all alone, and then someone sends them this rosary and they know that we are thinking of them and praying for them."
After a volunteer completes a Ranger Rosary, he or she offers prayers for the soldier who will receive it. The rosaries are also blessed before they are sent overseas. Along with the Ranger Rosaries, the spiritual warfare care packages sent to the troops include pamphlets on how to pray the rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, as well as prayer cards.
For more information on how to make Ranger Rosaries or to start a rosary-making group, log on to www.rangerrosary.com.
Ping for a wonderful story on Catholics showing their concern for our armed forces!
Pinging the other catholics for assistance in spreading this information and developing a groundswell of missionary activity.
God bless you Pyro, for bringing this to our attention!
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list
Great post. I just sent my soldier a brown St. Michael scapular and miraculous medals. As far as the forgotten soldiers are concerned, they should be advised to sign up for adoption, ie. Operation A.C. or Operation Millitary Support.
I used to make rosaries all the time. They are really quick and easy. (wonderful when I was on jury duty!)
I'll look into this.
What a great story! With these Ranger Rosaries and the prayers of the faithful on behalf of our military in Iraq, I'd say it's a winning combination.
Also,
Please pray for our nurses and doctors in Iraq -- as a special intention. Thank you.
BUMP
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