Our Lady of the Rosary, on this your feast day, we call upon you with devotion and confidence. Renew and transform us to be more like your Son, Jesus Christ. In your life on earth and in your timely apparitions, you showed us in such clear and tender ways your love and the eternal love of God. Speak to our hearts now as we celebrate the month of the Rosary. Show us deep inside the powerful gift of the Rosary for our souls and for the conversion of sinners. We place our prayers into your hands for you to direct and guide these graces to the souls most in need. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
As we seek Mary’s intercession and guidance, let us reflect on some key aspects regarding the importance of the Rosary for Catholics.
Power of the Rosary
Throughout history Mary has shown us the powerful weapon of peace and prayer that the Rosary is. Christians have won fights, converted wayward souls, and most of all have protected people from falling into sin. Mary has spoken to us and shown us the power of praying the Rosary.
A Mother’s Care
Mary is our perfect Mother, and she knows what our souls need. The power of the Rosary is not only who gave us this gift but on the purpose of the Rosary – reflection on the events of Salvation. Calling us to reflect on the events of her and her Son, Jesus, allows us to call into our hearts the greatest, most meaningful stories. These events show us and teach us about faith, strength, joy, pain, suffering, and hope. The Mysteries of the Rosary connect with our daily lives in ways that contemplation reveals so clearly. Mary requests us to reflect with her on the awesome plan of God for our lives. As our Blessed Mother, she shows us the greatest care and direction for our lives.
A Prayer for All
Over the centuries, Mary has spoken with so many saints of the need for praying the Rosary for their own salvation and for the salvation of sinners. Yet, this prayer is for all people, not just the Saints. She invites us to work alongside God and herself to bring as many souls to Christ as we can. Let us pray to Mary that she might give us the strength, time, and desire to dedicate time in our daily life for this important work of salvation.
A Variety of Ways to Pray
The Rosary is also a prayer for all ages. It can be prayed as just a decade which is a great start for the young or new to the Rosary. We can pray the Rosary out loud or silently anywhere from carpooling, waiting in line, taking a walk, or together as a family. We can watch engaging videos found on Formed.org or YouTube to engage visual senses more into the reflections. We can also pray beautiful Scriptural meditation (https://www.scripturalrosary.org/BeginningPrayers.html) said before each Hail Mary for those seeking more reflection opportunities. If we want to be close to Jesus, let us follow the advice of His Mother as there are ways for all of us to pray.
The Perfect Prayer
Mary knows that our souls need a variety of ways to pray and to learn more about Christ. Her gift of the Rosary is such a perfect method of prayer for it combines both vocal and mental prayers that are fully Scriptural in nature and completely Christocentric (Christ-centered). The Rosary not only incorporates the prayer that Jesus taught us, but it also invites us to reflect with the Perfect Disciple, Mary, on these salvific mysteries. The Rosary also reminds us that the primary purpose of Saints and of ourselves is to give all Glory to God. The beauty of the prayers speaks for itself, and the purposeful repetition of these prayers invites us to reflect on the meditation of each mystery. It is a story that invites us in deeper each time we ponder its meaning and power in our lives.
Here are some resources for praying and teaching about the Rosary:
- http://www.4catholiceducators.com/rosary.htm – a long list of resources from how to, the history, reflection on the mysteries and the prayers that are said
- https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary – from the USCCB complete with a Rosary video, meditations for each mystery
- https://www.thereligionteacher.com/rosary-activities/ – page of crafts, activities, games and more to teach children
Let us heed Mary’s call to pray the Rosary for our souls, our Church, our nation, and our world. May we unite with Mary in this gift of powerful prayer!
Author: Laura Stephens
