A few comments
The sign of the cross, in union with Mary
Nothing is simpler than to start the day with the sign of the cross, and yet
there is nothing greater. It is both a way of greeting the Holy Trinity, model
and source of all love: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and an offering of one’s
day to God in communion with Jesus’ offering on the Cross. In this way we can
start the day with confidence, for “everything works together for the good of
those whom God loves.” (cf. Rm.8.28)
Following the example of St. Bernadette, let us allow the Virgin to teach us to
make this sign of the cross in a very deliberate fashion. Who better than the
Virgin Mary can introduce us into the intimacy of the Holy Trinity? For she is
the daughter of the Father, the mother of Christ and the spouse of the Holy
Spirit.
Reading the Word of God
In the Eucharistic celebration, the Church daily presents us with passages
from Holy Scripture. She offers us the Word of God to meditate upon. Not
everyone is able to attend Mass every day, but we can all take a few minutes at
the beginning or during the day to allow our hearts to be touched by the
nourishing word of God.
This same Word is prayed and meditated upon, in every land and on every
continent, and thus links us mysteriously to each other in the universal
fraternity of the Church.
The Rosary
Daily recitation of the rosary was particularly encouraged by John Paul II in
his apostolic letter On the Most Holy Rosary of the Virgin Mary (October 2002),
especially, if possible, prayed together as a family, for the family and as a
prayer for peace. The FIAT rosary and the FIAT prayer which introduces it, as
well as the invocations and the closing hymn, are a perfect response to the Holy
Father’s appeal. The symbols on the FIAT medal sum up the whole of our Christian
identity.