The first Prayer Nest is naturally the family, where the mother and father must nourish their children, not only with material food, but also spiritual food, passing on the faith to them with their example.

Forming a Prayer Nest at home also safeguards family unity, as Pius XII said: «A family who prays together, stays together».

 

Practical suggestions

Set a time for prayer trying to meet everyone’s needs.
Prepare a little altar with an image or statue of Our Lady in front of which is placed a candle which will remain burning for the duration of the encounter.
There will naturally be disturbances, therefore you are urged to turn off cell phones and not answer the telephone. If friends or acquaintances arrive, do not interrupt the prayer but invite the guests to participate, thus testifying that God is more important. The mother or father can lead the prayer, slowly involving the children until they can lead it.

Prayer material

The rosary; a booklet for children with the meditated mysteries; the story of Fatima; the life of the three shepherd children narrated by Lucia; the biographies of child saints; the catechism of the Catholic Church; the Gospels…

This material can be requested at our address:
click here or directly downloaded.

The Prayer Nest meeting

After a brief moment of silence which allows children to settle down, start with a good sign of the cross, done slowly, just as Our Lady taught Bernadette in her first apparition at Lourdes, pronouncing clearly the words: “In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

You can sing a song or invoke the Holy Spirit; state the intentions of the prayer, stating first of all the conversion of sinners, Peace in the world and the Pope.

Announce the mysteries of the rosary by reading a short meditation and having a moment of silence to teach children to meditate. You can sing a song between mysteries. At the end of the rosary you can read and comment on an episode of the story of the children of Fatima; the mother or father or a more trained child can make a short meditation.
After the Salve Regina, recite the Litany of the Most Blessed Virgin.

Pause for a few moments of silence.
You can end by invoking the blessing of the Father in Heaven which can be given by the father or mother on earth.

Naturally, this outline can be adapted according to the circumstances and the time available.

 

Witnesses

«Mommy! Mommy! I have an atomic bomb, I’ll show it to you»  my nine-year-old daughter shouted. For a moment I was afraid and nervous because I had never heard her speak with that tone of voice. «Daughter, what are you saying? Do you have a fever?» «No, mommy, I’m fine, here on my heart is an atomic bomb of peace and forgiveness. It’s the Holy Rosary, the weapon of Our Lady in Heaven and this morning I said my “yes” to Mary because I want to help her. I belong to the Armata Bianca, do you know mommy that there are many of us in the world and we are all united with the white beads of the rosary. I am proud to belong to the Armata Bianca». (G.P. – Rome)

The theory of the little Roman girl isn’t far from reality: the rosary, recited in the family, activates a process of chain reaction, just like the atomic bomb, and only the Holy Spirit knows its potential of Light and Life.