By Kristine Schroeder
Lessons Learned
“There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” St. Lucia of Fatima
Most Catholics are familiar with the Marian apparitions that occurred monthly in Fatima, Portugal, from May 13, 1917, to October 13, 1917. During those events, Mary spoke to three poor children, Lucia, and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta. Mary warned of current evils and greater ones to come if people did not repent and renew their prayer life. Among her many messages, she predicted World War II and an assassination attempt on a future Pope.
Mary also spoke of the secularism and relativism that were eroding the morals of the modern world. Not only a bearer of ominous tidings, Mary instructed us on how to avoid the world’s temptations and thereby turn the tide of evil. Her message, “Pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace and to save souls, including our own.”
As a school child, the Rosary seemed long and boring. Thankfully, my better memory was that of my grandparents seated by their radio reciting a noonday Rosary broadcast over the local station. Watching them devoutly repeat the prayers made a permanent impression on me.
In my life, the Rosary has been a game changer. Since I made it my New Year’s Resolution in 2018, it has helped me deal with difficult situations as well as caused a noticeable difference in my outlook on life. Unexpected occurrences that once seemed an annoyance now appear as an opportunity to grow in my faith.
Reciting the Rosary has convinced me that Mary is both our Mother and our intercessor. She shares in our joys, our sorrows. Stories abound of how the recitation of the Rosary has changed the course of history throughout the ages. Gabriel Castillo’s book “The Power of the Rosary” is a wealth of information on the origin of the Rosary and the power of this prayer.
Pope St. John Paul II said, “The Rosary is the glory of the Roman Church. It takes its place after the Mass and the Sacraments.” Finally, tradition attributes the following assurances to the Rosary.
Mary’s 15 Promises of the Rosary
- Those who faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces (serendipitous events that coincide with something we have been discerning in prayer).
- I promise my special protection and greatest graces to those who recite the Rosary.
- The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
- Recitation of the Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain abundant mercy for souls, withdrawing love of the world and its vanities from the hearts of men and lift them to the desire of eternal things.
- The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
- Those who recite my Rosary devoutly and apply themselves to the consideration of the sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. In his justice, God will not chastise them; nor shall they perish by an unprovided death. Sinners shall convert. The just shall persevere in grace and become worthy of eternal life.
- Those who have a true devotion to the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
- Those who faithfully recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
- I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
- Faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
- By the recitation of the Rosary, you will obtain all that you ask of me.
- Those who promote the Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
- I have obtained from my Divine Son that all advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
- All who recite the Rosary are my beloved children and the brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
- Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.