Tuesday, September 27, 2005

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

The most popular devotion in the Catholic Church is the most holy Rosary. In our churches on any given morning, one can find the faithful clutching their Rosaries and fervently invoking the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God. The Rosary is deeply embedded in the Catholic mentality.

At the turn of the nineteenth century, Pope Leo XIII established October as the month of the Rosary. He ardently desired that Christ’s faithful should have an annual reminder to persevere in the pious practice of praying the Rosary. This method of prayer, Pope Leo said, is so arranged that it will recall all the mysteries of our salvation. Moreover, it moves the faithful to a great spirit of piety.

All of the modern Popes have earnestly exhorted us to the recitation of the Rosary. They have taught, authoritatively, that the Rosary always leads us to the Lord, through Mary. Pope Pius XII called the Rosary a, "compendium of the Gospels." He urged the faithful to turn in confidence to the Virgin Mother of God. John XXIII said that the rosary is a wonderful meditation and that in saying it we: "Weave a garland of Ave Maria's, Pater Noster's, and Gloria Patri's."

Paul VI called the Rosary a: "Gospel prayer and, as such, it is an unceasing praise of Jesus Christ." Pope John Paul I, in his charming way, said that the recitation of the Rosary’s Hail Mary's: "Sweetens the soul like a song." Finally, everyone is aware of the profound devotion that Pope John Paul II had for the Rosary.

One of my fondest memories was that of being one of a small group of Priests who concelebrated Mass with Pope John Paul II in his private chapel. After Mass, he pressed into the hand of each priest a Rosary. When he came to me he said: "Father, I would like you to pray this rosary every day!" So you see, I have a personal mandate from the Holy Father to pray the Rosary every day. And I do!

May I now extend the same exhortation to you? Pray the Rosary every day! I assure you that Our Blessed Mother will preserve in you always the truths of Catholic faith. She will listen to your prayers and intentions. She will protect your families and keep a watchful eye on your children.

Countless blessings flow on families who get on their knees each day and, as a family, recite the Rosary. At Fatima, Our Blessed Lady asked us to say the Rosary every day. Let us respond to this request of Our Blessed Mother. She will never forget that we heeded her invitation!

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY, PRAY FOR US!

Father Richard J. Rego, S.T.L.

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