God loves you . It comes in a proper little purse marked as a ‘Vatican Gift’. No one on earth would but be honored to receive a gift from out of the Holy City, even if he were an agnostic Shintoist. Our visible authority, marked by the Pope in his Vicarage under the Christ and His Holy Spirit has an otherworldly aura unmatched, and for centuries, now. In the properly sized purse is a Rosary – of all devotionals, probably the most widely given of gifts. To a son of Mother Church, it is a most welcome and delighting gift. It is likely the one gift I have most given, myself. But, as a Vatican gift Rosary, this one has the especiality of having been blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, during his most recent (August, 2007) retreat to Castel Gandolfo. If you are any kind of student of the Papacy, you can delight in this. Of all predecessor-successor combinations in Papal history, perhaps none has been as spiritually powerful, intellectually potent and pastorally beneficent as Benedict XVI following John Paul II. I find it no presumption that as Karol Wojtyla/John Paul will eventually become known as Saint Pope John Paul II the Great, as some have noted Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict just may be on his way to us being led by the Spirit to know him as Saint Pope Benedict XVI the Magnificent. This Rosary is quite handsome, though not necessarily in a masculine sense. It has solid fingering beads, and is marked with medallions of the four major basilicas of Rome at the four Our Father bead places in the cycle; though these, of course, are named in Italian: Sancta Pietro (Saint Peter’s), Sancta Paolo (Saint Paul’s), Sancta Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major) and Sancta Giovanni Laterano (Saint John Lateran). The crucifix, of course, is that which is like the top of the Papal crosier John Paul II brought into favor. All in all, it is a Rosary worthy of the Church’s One Foundation, and His Mother. It is stunning to look at for one extraordinary reason. Though the beads are a black-colored glass, put up to light, they give prismatic sparkle. In the sunlight, they have a touch of glory. The beads give the Rosary an apparent quality of darkness yielding light – a characteristic Blessed Teresa of Calcutta would appreciate. Here are beads that seem like that ‘black night of the soul’ giving way to God’s wondrous, loving, hopeful, saving light. Right within the darkness, coming out in dazzling colors, God is there in His glory to make for His joyous, peaceful heaven in peeks. Our good and loving God’s intimate consolation and tender comfort is right there in the supplicant’s hands. I don’t know what one might seek in the sacramental devotional of his Rosary. But, here is a Rosary that speaks to me in my lonely depression and (seemingly, by God’s will) quintessential sadness. I am one with Him on His crucifix, bearing darkness of all sins, as did Mother Teresa – for the time ‘forsaken’ and in agony, yet eternally bound for such – SUCH – love – and unimaginable consolation at my Father’s breast, in His Son’s Sacred Heart and in the joyful glory of Their Holy Spirit. And, yes – a Rosary worthy of the Church’s One Foundation, and His Mother. Now, this Vatican Gift came to me as a gift for joining the regular battalion of the Radix Guys at (http://www.radixguys.com/main2.htm). Their thinking appeals to my warrior side, even as they are not but prayerfully combative in any worldly way. Of course, they seek funds, and their battalion is an important way they acquire funds. [I have so many funds who in their needs regularly implore and supplicate of me that for Christmas I had to type a ‘form letter’ to accompany my donations that stated my inability to give more.] Now, of a fact, I intend to give my Rosary gift to a lady struggling with both her faith and her cancer; she needs it as much or more than I do. And – :) – I’ll use this little article to beg of Doug Barry, the authoritative ‘face’ of Radix, how I can acquire another and duplicate Rosary . . . and another . . . and give these, too, to others with the note that their prayers will find them in light even in their darkness. Uh - just for a moment, CatholicExchangers, put your own Rosary up to the light. In any of its darkeness, is God's light and glory peeking through? How blessed am I that I will not be able to finger a Rosary again without having the Light of Love out of darkeness at my fingertips! Remember, I love you, too . In the Suffering of Christ, and in His hope of His Resurrection, Pristinus Sapienter (wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)

God loves you . [ This post is an intentially blank "OOP!" ] Remember, I love you, too . In the Suffering of Christ, and in His hope of His Resurrection, Pristinus Sapienter (wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)

Warren, There is only one way out of a depression and it is all uphill.

God loves you . Thanks, Alvina! It's a gorgeous day outside and even our trees are resisting going autumnal shades. Your kindness makes the day even more out of the ordinary. And, I turn (unintelligible) years old. yanastrovich - OF COURSE it is uphill - following Him is to take that dreadfully high road up Calvary. Depression does seem, though, to be carrying the agonizing remnants of Gethsemane up Calvary . . . By the way - my spiritual director has been to and prayed at both Gethsemane and Golgotha. For my birthday gift, tomorrow he is carving out time to hear my annual get-it-all-out blood-sweat-and-tears confession. Remember, I love you, too . In the Suffering of Christ, and in His hope of His Resurrection, Pristinus Sapienter (wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)

wljewell, I have found the swiftest way out of depression is to spend alot of time with children resting.In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen