Come, Contemplate with Mary the Face of Christ

Holy Rosary Shrine is dedicated to fostering union with Jesus through Our Blessed Mother and her Holy Rosary. Central to our mission is beautiful and reverent worship, preaching His Word, devotional and evangelization events, and service to those in need. Staffed by the Franciscans of the Poor Christ, we offer extended hours for the Sacrament of Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, retreat days and Franciscan and Marian spiritual formation. The Shrine has a rich history of being home to many different ethnic groups in the "Immigrant City" of Lawrence, Massachusetts which continues to this day.

Confession Times

Confession Times

Information about confession times and days and how to make a good confession.

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How to Pray the Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary Center & Confraternity. Promoting devotion to the Rosary for more than 500 years.

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Rosarium Virginis Mariae

Rosarium Virginis Mariae

Letter from St. John Paul II about the importance of the Holy Rosary.

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From the Friars: La Divina Pastora

While in the Navy in 1988, I was blessed to spend six weeks at a base in a rural area in northern Scotland. I was very struck by the beauty of the countryside and would go for walks along the rustic roads. There were an amazing  number of rabbits running around but it was also sheep country. One vivid memory is of watching a group of sheep when suddenly a lamb jumped onto the back of its mother. Being an ignorant city boy, I did not know that this is common behavior for lambs. The ewe did not even seem to notice.

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday where we read from chapter ten of St. John’s Gospel. The Shepherd and sheep symbolism is so prevalent in the Bible that it is worth reflecting a bit on these interesting creatures. When Jesus says the sheep recognize the voice of the shepherd and run away from strangers, this is very much the case. They also recognize the face of the one who cares for them and protects them.

Not so well known is the Marian Feast of the Mother of the Good Shepherd, or La Divina Pastora in Spanish, which is the Saturday before Good Shepherd Sunday. This devotion began with the Capuchins in Spain in the 18th century and spread to Latin America and other areas. The focus is on Our Lady’s maternal mediation and her participation in the shepherding of her son’s sheep as our spiritual mother.

Image of a mother seep with a lamb on her back

And the relationship between the newborn lamb and its mother is also symbolic of our spiritual life. A strong bond is quickly formed between the two as the ewe licks the lamb within the first hour to learn its unique smell. By the mother making low snoring noises the little creature learns the voice of the one who nourishes and protects it. The first nursing milk is extremely nutrient rich and crucial for the lamb’s survival and immune system.

There is much here for our meditation. But the joyful and playful abandon of the leaping lamb, its carefree trust jumping onto mom’s back, should be similar to our own interior disposition. Even though we walk through the dark valley there is nothing to fear.

Our Shepherd and our Mother are at our side to give us courage.

Fr. Peter