J.M.J.
As a priest, I have been asked dozens of questions
about the Holy Rosary, the two most frequent perhaps being: “How do I pray the
Rosary? Why is it important?”
During these days of October, I ask myself: What does
the Holy Rosary mean to me?
Thanks to my parents and teachers, I know how to pray
the Rosary. I hope that I have begun to comprehend its timeless value.
But what does the Holy Rosary mean to me? This inquiry requires additional pondering.
After some head scratching, I came up with three
responses out of a possible multitude, each of which cites a privileged
“opportunity.”
First, the Holy Rosary is an opportunity to adore the
Most Blessed Trinity, thereby drawing closer to God and making progress along
the path to Paradise. Almost two thousand years ago, Jesus invited His Apostles
to pray. Above all, praying is the offering of fitting worship and praise to
our Creator. Had the Lord never demonstrated His amazing love and abiding
compassion for us after the Fall of Adam and Eve, it still would be right—and
absolutely necessary—for us to pray as an expression of laud for our Maker.
The Rosary helps me to adore: my Beloved Father in
Heaven Who constantly extends His unfathomable mercy towards me; my Savior and
Brother, Jesus Christ Who lives in Sacred Scripture and the Church’s Apostolic
Tradition—and is present in a most unique way, as the Prayer after the Divine
Praises during the Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament puts it, “in every
Tabernacle throughout the world, even until the end of time”; my Counselor, the
Holy Spirit, Who inspires me to embrace good fully and avoid evil.
Second, the Holy Rosary is an opportunity to answer
the urgent summons of Our Lady of Fátima. Six times during 1917, Our Lady of
the Holy Rosary appeared to the Servant of God Lúcia de Jesus Rosa dos Santos
(1907-2005), Saint Francisco de Jesus Marto (1908-1919) and Saint Jacinta de
Jesus Marto (1910-1920) in Fátima, Portugal, encouraging them to pray the
Rosary daily for “the end of the War” (World War I). Although that War has
concluded, there are plenty of armed conflicts—and myriad other problems—that
seek our attention and elicit our earnest prayers. And, of course, our prayer
list filled with diverse needs never ends. Our Blessed Mother uses our humble
prayers to work much benefit throughout the universe. The Mother of God knows
better than any other human person that prayer is indispensable.
The Rosary helps me to reply affirmatively to Mary’s
request to pray her Rosary for all the intentions lodged deep in the Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus and the pure Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Third, the Holy Rosary is an opportunity to unite
myself to all the holy men and women, boys and girls who are reciting (and who
have recited) this prayer that Pope Saint John Paul II hailed as his
“favorite.” Imagine the Poor Souls in Purgatory (“The Church Suffering”) who
prayed the Rosary. Now they look to us to assist them in their plight as they
continue onward to the Everlasting Kingdom. Imagine the Saints in Heaven (“The
Church Triumphant”) who recited the Rosary. With the abundant grace of God,
they have achieved their goal of perfect union with Jesus Christ in Paradise.
Now they pine for our arrival. Imagine the Faithful here on earth (“The Church
Militant”) who presently pray the Rosary. They are convinced of the
intercessory power of Our Blessed Lady and recognize her God-given ability to
change hearts and minds.
The Rosary helps me to remember always my strong solidarity
especially with all those in Heaven, Purgatory and on earth who had and have
recourse to the Madonna through the recitation of her Holy Rosary.
The Most Holy Rosary is a fathomless treasure that I,
through no merit of my own, am delighted to possess. May I understand it better
and pray it more!
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