About the Ministry
My heart has always yearned for God.
As a small child, I would sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church, Spring Lake, NJ and get lost in the silence. By the time I had reached my 20’s, the sacred silence had left me and I began my search for God. During this time, I read every major holy book of the world religions. I would be praying – ‘Lord, Let me see your Face’.
I would consciously pray the name of Jesus over and over in my mind to the rhythm of my breath throughout my daily work. Searching for God became my primary objective in life.
In 2014, I had a spiritual awakening. What I had been looking for had already given to me at Baptism in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church was right. Every thought, word and deed I have either propels me towards God, or away from him. Realizing that my Path to know God had been a gift to me at birth, I immediately returned to the Church. I became a member of St Ambrose Parish, Annandale VA. I restarted my journey of Daily Mass, Prayer and Contemplation of the Scriptures (Lightworks – Ignatian Prayer) and the Most Holy Rosary. This time, my heart was ON FIRE with Love of Jesus.
When Covid 19 Pandemic shutdown began, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. Realizing this was a wonderful opportunity to give all my financial worries to Jesus, I made a commitment to pray the Rosary (all 4 mysteries) every day. The problem was, that now, I found myself a senior citizen – and could not remember the mysteries. Fumbling with papers to recall the mystery and corresponding scripture passages, made the calm silence of prayer replaced with frustration.
Putting everything away, I asked Mary to help me. I complained in my mind to her saying, “if you called me back, why did it have to be when I was approaching my senior years?”
The next morning, when I closed my eyes to pray the rosary, a saw a set of rosary beads that had pictures of the mysteries at every decade.
Recognizing that Mary was showing me this so that I could help myself and others pray the rosary, I immediately got to work.
I taught myself “how to” make a wire rosary and make picture beads. That was the beginning of my mission to create a Rosary that would inspire myself and others to enter into the silent countenance of the Holy Face of Jesus Christ.
The handmade Picture beads of the 20 holy rosary mysteries and the Holy Face of Jesus Centerpiece became the critical parts of this contemplative rosary.
Contemplating the Mysteries – gazing at the Face of Jesus during his life, allowed me to be a true disciple – following Him. Using St Ignatius Prayer of Imagination Methods, I found myself with Jesus in the scriptural scenes of the Mystery. Experiencing His wonderful peaceful presence through out His amazing Life and Resurrection. This contemplative rosary became a prayer journey from my head to my heart – a heart on Fire for Jesus.
Many thanks goes to Father Michael Duesterhaus, Father Stefan Starzynski, Al and Sandy Bertini, for their many hours of help and encouragement with this rosary project. To Jean Watson, singer, violinist and musician for permission to use the beautiful St. Patrick’s Breastplate song. For Veronica Royal and her permission to use her icon The Mother of God, Glykophilousa. Liem T Le for his wonderful dedication teaching Lightworks Contemplation to me through the years. Macrina Singleton, IDEZINE, my creative graphic artist and Sophia Lebano, my talented website designer. Finally, to Mary Elizabeth Sperry, USCCB, for scripture copyright permissions & information for New American Bible.
God Bless you and Thank you all for your encouragement.
- Pat Butler
O Holy Face of Jesus, Shine the light of your Countenance upon us and never leave us.
Grant that we, who pray this contemplative rosary, gazing upon you, walking with You and meditating on Your life, be brought to experience the majesty of your Glory, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.— Amen.