My Journey

Doug Escher

Phase 1: Awe

My story begins with walking down a staircase, reciting my daily prayer: "Lord, show me how I can help you today." On this particular day, a book titled "The Power of the Rosary" singularly falls out of the bookcase at my feet. Was it a coincidence or a sign? I took it as a sign to delve into the book and learn more about the Rosary—its message and its power to conquer fear, worry, and aggression. "Give me an army praying the Rosary and I will change the world," I thought. Was I being called, through the intercession of the Rosary, to take action in support of my faith?

Though I hadn't sought a sign, I humbly saw this as one. I responded with a "Yes" and considered the feasibility of organizing a Rosary Crusade. Discussing the idea with my pastor, I received his wholehearted support. With the backing of my faith community, we embarked on our mission to coordinate and execute a Rosary Crusade. Our goal was straightforward: educate our parish about the Holy Rosary, encourage its prayer, and pass on its message to future generations.

At every Mass, our team shared our message, distributing copies of the Rosary book, prayer cards, and gift bags with rosary beads. We lived our mission, witnessing its profound impact. Did the congregation respond? Absolutely! They showed immense interest, enthusiasm, commitment, and resolve. Hundreds of parishioners from our church and neighboring parishes embraced the beauty of the Rosary, the sense of community it fostered, and its message of faith and belief.

Phase 2: Appreciation

I understand my story might seem fantastical at first, but it has sparked something profoundly powerful and life-affirming. I've been a devout Catholic all my life, and through every chapter, including challenging times like Vietnam, faith has been my cornerstone. It weaves through every aspect of my life—as a son, father, friend, businessman, neighbor, you name it. Faith has taught me to see signs and opportunities everywhere to spread goodness, humility, service, and compassion through action and prayer. Our prayers truly form the universal language of our connectedness.

Phase 3: Action

I am truly humbled to be here today to share the story and impact of our Rosary Crusade. I hope that others will be inspired to initiate a crusade in their own parishes, witnessing the energy, enlightenment, and promise of this sacred prayer.

We have established a website to share our best practices, detailing the steps we took and the resources we used to create and execute a successful crusade. This is not an effort that is too great; rather, it delivers a resounding message of connectedness and community in a world often yearning for embrace.

I extend a heartfelt thank you to Catholic Forum TV for providing such a magnificent and meaningful platform to explore and celebrate our Catholic faith, sharing stories and evidence of its enduring impact and transformative potential.

What a blessing it is to believe! Thank you!