Over the last several weeks, the word “tragedy” has been used quite often to describe any number of disasters and events. We are inundated with the tragic stories of war, natural disasters, children being subject to unspeakable cruelty and if you truly look through time, we realize that no matter the date, life has always been filled with tragic events, hardship, and heartache. Each of us can point to something that impacted us directly or tragedy that befell members of our family. Tragedy is defined in Websters as “a disastrous event: calamity; misfortune.” When we look out into the world, no one would argue that the definition does not apply. Since the beginning of time there have always been events that are tragic in one moment and joyful in the next. 

This is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, and for Catholics, this prayer brings comfort in times of strife and is also a prayer of thanksgiving in moments of tranquility. The prayer is a devotion to the Virgin Mary, but it is also a celebration of the mysteries of our Christian faith. When praying the Rosary, allow yourself to connect to the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, and the Luminous Mysteries. The gift of the Holy Rosary is the comfort it provides when tragedy strikes when only faith in God can ease the burden of earthly pain.

The only true tragedy in life is the inability to see beyond this life and realize that life eternal with God is true peace. We suffer the death of a loved one and we are presented with a choice, to be overwhelmed by their death or to allow our faith in an eternally merciful God to give us peace. The only real tragedy is when we live our lives devoid of a relationship with God and His only Son. It is in that void where evil thrives and keeps us from the comfort that is found in the Holy Rosary.

God Bless.

Andrej N. Lah