It’s good to have goals.
In college, the main goal is to graduate and get a job. When Erin Gardner began her studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, she made similar goals, but she also made one goal with her faith in mind.
“When my mom and I were touring CUA, we visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which is next door,” said Gardner. “My mom made a comment about how it would be cool to pray a rosary in all the chapels.”
A pamphlet they found provided a detailed map of all the chapels and oratories in America’s largest Catholic church. There were 99 and a rosary garden.
Gardner had just earned her associate’s degree at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, transferring to Catholic U. as a junior in 2023.
“In the beginning, I did the math, 100 rosaries over two years. If I said one every week, I could do it,” said Gardner. But it wasn’t just a stroll in the rosary garden.
She still had to balance a full course load in business administration, with a specialization in markets and economy, in addition to a part-time job. Yet week after week, she made her pilgrimage from the university to the basilica with her red and white rope rosary in hand.
“Some weeks I was on target, other months I was playing catch up,” said Gardner. “There were times when I wasn’t sure if I would finish by graduation. Every time I thought about it during the last month, I felt like I was going to fail. The final week, I was doing one every single day.”
According to Gardner, sticking to the challenge helped keep her grounded during college, forced her out of her dorm room and helped her faith life.
One of Gardner’s favorite places in the basilica was the Mary, Queen of Ireland oratory, which was where she started her rosary challenge. It featured a statue of Our Lady and the Holy Child on a hexagonal rock formation, which, according to the basilica’s website, represents the Giant Causeway on the coast of Northern Ireland. A pair of benches sits up against a tall wall, adorned with mosaics and dark stone.
“I would sit and do philosophy homework there,” said Gardner.
On May 7, she recited the final rosary of the challenge in the basilica rosary garden, surrounded by the natural beauty of spring. As with each rosary, she offered up a special intention. Sometimes it was for a friend who was struggling, other times it was for world events. Her final rosary intention was something extra special.
“I just got engaged, so I was praying for the wedding,” said Gardner, who graduated as salutatorian from Catholic U.’s Busch School of Business a few days later.
“I enjoyed my time academically and spiritually at Catholic University,” said Gardner. “I’m so grateful that going there allowed me to study in the shadow of such a beautiful basilica.”
Kassock is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.
