“Understand that you cannot hold on to many petitions at once in your heart or in your mind. If you try to do so, you will find it difficult to pray for any one of them, because to do so you will have to set the others down. Therefore, when you recite the prayers of the rosary, let all of your other worries and concerns and anxious preoccupations come to the fore. Just let them bubble up.
“The rosary is not a form of meditation. It is not a discipline, or a kind of mind control. This is a conversation with your Mother that takes place with the Our Fathers and the Hail Marys as a kind of background musical score.
“These prayers will soothe you if you will let them. They will relax you and open your heart. As that happens, pour out your troubles to me so that when the time comes to make your petition, you are unburdened by these other worries and concerns.
“Let your petition be like the kiss that a son or daughter gives their mother before walking out the door and I will kiss you in return. Your kiss is a kiss of affection and affinity. Mine is the kiss of guidance and affirmation.
“I will feel your kiss on My check throughout the day and night until you speak with Me again. But it is up to you to feel MY kiss upon your forehead in the time that intervenes. It is there and it is sealed with your petition and your prayer, but you must bear its imprint with singleness of heart and openness of mind.