On a sunny October day, Father Kevin Soenneker spent the afternoon harvesting seeds with Sally Boeckmann, a parishioner in the Centered on Christ Area Catholic Community, where he serves as parochial vicar.
Father Soenneker recalls how he saw a woman at daily Mass come to Communion with a unique rosary wrapped around her hand, so he asked her about it. That’s when Boeckmann shared the story behind the beads.
The seeds, which Boeckmann has grown for years, are ancient seeds that grow into a teardrop shape. This is why they are often called Job’s Tears.
This year Boeckmann dedicated three rows of her garden for the plants and after harvesting, will prepare them to be used to make rosaries and chaplets.
Boeckmann had invited Father Soenneker to her house several times, and although he declined in the past, this year he felt called to help with the harvest.
He was greeted with eight cardboard trays filled full of Job’s tears seeds — all organized by color and carefully counted and labeled with the number they contained. One had 3,680 written on the side.
Father Soenneker worked side by side with Boeckmann in her garden, and Janet Stang, volunteer coordinator for the Centered on Christ Catholic Community, captured the moment and shared it on Facebook.
When the story of his visit first was posted, knowing the photos from the day were shared, Father Soenneker recalled how silly he felt about wearing a hat that was too small for his head. He is now grateful the story was shared.
“I had no idea [the Facebook post] would take off like this,” Father Soenneker said. “All I was thinking about was the hat I wore and now it has sparked conversation about the rosary. It’s wonderful.”
He continued, “It’s never just the priest that does the work, it’s lay people as well. There is power in seeing the work that lay people are doing for the Church.”
Fittingly, each October, the Catholic Church celebrates the month of the Holy Rosary.
“It is remarkable to see someone so dedicated to making rosaries,” Father Soenneker said. “It is her call to share the rosary, she says the rosary to end abortion and works to support the ministry of the Poor Clares.”
Boeckmann often shares her handmade rosaries with parishioners in her ACC. This year 200 rosaries were placed on tables for people to take after Mass. Each rosary had a note tied to it asking that, in exchange for taking the rosary, the bearer pray the rosary or divine chaplet and, if able, donate to the Poor Clare Monastery in Sauk Rapids.
All the rosaries were claimed in one weekend. Father Soenneker was surprised to see them distributed so quickly, but he is aware of the power of the rosary..
“Sometimes in my own prayer life, when I don’t want to pray, I pick up the rosary and I instantly feel better,” Father Soenneker said. “I feel more tied to Mary and to her ‘yes’ and I’m able to give my time more freely. I think about how Mary said ‘Let it be done to me according to thy word,’ and I concentrate on giving myself 100% to what our Lord asks.”
Janet Stang originally posted this article on social media. Amber Walling contributed to the story.