When I said earlier that I focused on praying in particular "that others would pray for me and for my intentions, including Mary," the focus I placed on Mary's intercession was understated.

I purposely understated the focus I placed on Mary's intercession, however. I did this for a few reasons. First, I truly am very grateful that so many people were praying for me, and that so many people continue to pray for me. I have been shocked at some of the people and groups that have been praying for me. Second, I want to be sure that I give St. Joseph, St. Rita, and St. Raphael proper respect, as they have clearly interceded on my behalf before God. Third, I believe Mary deserves a special place of honor separate from the others: always and in this particular case.

I focused on doing a 54-day rosary novena for the intention of my home selling, in addition to the formal prayers I mentioned earlier and my informal prayers. The novena consists of one five-decade rosary for twenty-seven consecutive days in petition, followed by one five-decade rosary for the next twenty-seven consecutive days in thanksgiving, whether or not the request has been granted. (In the case of my home selling, the request had not been granted yet.) The meditations rotate daily between the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries throughout the entire fifty-four days.

If this sounds tough, that's because it is. Or at least for me it is--and was. The amount of discipline required is...well, I may have finished, but it wasn't pretty!

And yet, the transformation that comes through praying the rosary is and has been truly amazing. That is, the outcome that my home has indeed sold is fantastic, but more than that, the ways I've seen myself change (whether or not anybody else has) are perhaps more fantastic.

For the intercession of the Queen of the Holy Rosary and for my own continuing transformation, I must say:

Thank you, Mary! And thank you, Jesus!
Praise God!