Converting to the Rosary

by Aaron Kesmetis

I am a convert to the Catholic Church and received the sacraments of Baptism, first Eucharist, and Confirmation on April 11, 2009, at the Easter Vigil Mass. Being a convert, a question often posed to Catholic converts is in regard to Mary and praying the rosary. You would think that coming from a “non-Mary” religion such as the LDS (Mormon) Church that praying the rosary and asking for the intercession of Mary would be very difficult for me. On the contrary, I found it quite simple. I credit that to my grandfather, Paul, who was a devout Catholic in France. Now you may be thinking to yourself: I thought this guy was a convert, so how can his grandfather be Catholic? The short story is that my mother converted to the Mormon Church about a year before I was born. 

Unfortunately, since he lived in France, I didn’t get to see my grandfather very often. He has been gone for several years now, but, in 2008, my mother spent the summer with my grandmother in France and brought home a few mementos of my grandfather. Since I was the only one (of us seven kids) who was expressing an interest in being Catholic, I was given his rosary. I was in RCIA at the time, and I clearly remember first holding this rosary. It had the wonderful aroma of a piece of antique wood furniture…almost like mild incense. The beads on the rosary were worn from years of use, and since I was blessed to be able to read at his funeral Mass, I could easily imagine him on his knees in that church praying with this rosary in hand.

I had started praying the rosary shortly before receiving his rosary, so this great gift was the perfect tool for the Holy Spirit to use in bringing me closer to God. In fact, it was while on my knees praying the rosary that I had the overwhelming feeling that indeed I would join the Catholic Church. Now, being new to the rosary, I knew the “Our Father” and the “Hail Mary” prayers but didn’t know the different mysteries of the rosary, so I would have to constantly refer to a book. Thanks to modern technology, I now prefer to pray the rosary along with a group of Sisters in the United Kingdom who are accompanied by music performed by the Holy Redeemer Choir. 

Armed with my grandfather’s rosary, my iPhone, and headphones, I’m ready to pray the rosary anywhere at any time. What tools do you use to improve your prayer life?

Aaron Kesmetis came into the church in 2009 while living in North Conway, NH, and now lives in Salem, NH, with his bride of 30 years, Mary Ann. He is currently President of the Parish Pastoral Council, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a lector at St. Matthew Parish in Windham.