Blessed Mother Mary of the Children’s Rosary
May we humbly share the story of the picture we fondly call: Blessed Mother Mary of the Children’s Rosary. The picture was drawn by Alina Kaufman in 2011 when she was 11 years old. Alina was hoping to be considered for an art enrichment program at school. They required several pieces of original artwork to be submitted. I remember the evening Alina came down with the drawing. She said before picking up the pencil she prayed to Mary to help her with the drawing.
When I saw the image it touched my heart. It was a picture of the Blessed Mother but in so many ways she looked like a child. It seemed a perfect way for a child to envision Our Lady innocent like a child and yet loving like a mother. The picture was submitted along with several others for consideration for the enrichment program and inclusion in an art show. However, they were not selected to be included in the art show and they did not qualify her for entry into the art enrichment program. Yet there was a feeling that this image was special.
On December 8th 2011, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we gave this picture to Our Blessed Mother in prayer before Holy Mass. We hoped it would bring her joy. One year later the Children’s Rosary book was complete and was sent to the publisher for publication. The book contains this picture of Our Lady on the inside back cover.
When the drawing was presented to Our Lady as a gift on her Feast the idea of the Children’s Rosary book had not even been conceived. Yet one short year later, a Children’s Rosary book with this drawing inside of Our Blessed Mother was completed. The book contents, image and name of the image were all approved by the Archbishop of Hartford for publication. This drawing has also become part of the official logo for the Children’s Rosary.
We are grateful to Our Lady for accepting this picture and continuing to bless the Children’s Rosary and all its members.
(written by Blythe Kaufman)