Have you ever found yourself in the same room as a large number of “Marian Catholics”?
Did you find them simply talking about the traffic, the weather, or their pet cat, out of fear that their confreres might be ‘yes’ voters, climate change fanatics, pro-choice flag carriers or gender fluid enthusiasts?
Not a chance. They communicate the language of joy, humility, empathy, strength and peace.
They generously impart advice, encouragement, ideas, prayerful support – with a heart for the individual and zeal for the world. All the Christian virtues can be found magnified in that one room and a common language oozes from their souls that unites, values, and constantly seeks the intercession and protection of the Mother of God.
“The rosary is a flower garden that contains all kinds of beautiful and aromatic virtues”- St Anthony Mary Claret. (1807-1870)
Indeed it is true what St Pope Pius V said: that ‘by the rosary the darkness of heresy can be dispelled’ and ‘the light of the Catholic faith can shine out in all its brilliancy’.
Going back a little more in history, when the great “Marian Council” – the 431 AD Council of Ephesus was called, – it was then that the the second part of the Hail Mary was formed. The heretic Nestorius, who continued after this council, to blaspheme the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Divine Son, died miserably from a rotting cancer of his mouth. (something we didn’t read in the history books!)
In Places, families, and nations in which the rosary of Mary retains its ancient honour, the loss of faith through ignorance and vicious error need not be feared. Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
My 6 siblings and I were introduced to the rosary from early childhood, after the birth of my disabled sister whose life-threatening situation (involving many major surgical procedures) continued for most of her childhood.
The rosary became a seamless garment of daily family life. While we kids never really appreciated its great power, we never questioned it during our upbringing. We only sensed the great financial struggles and difficult decision making that was going on with a sick but treasured sister, yet none of us knew then the often deadly impact on many marriages, of parents with disabled or sick children. The marriage breakdown rate is significantly increased. Only now I often wonder how our family may have evolved had we not adopted the family rosary. Although the challenges and struggles didn’t disappear- my sister was blind by the age of one & suffered significant deafness; and we didn’t have saint-like adolescences or a mistake- free walk through life. I can remember as children how happy we were when it was too late at night and Mum announced we only had time to “say one decade tonight”.
But my parent’s marriage survived. And I instinctively I knew the power contained in the prayer of the rosary, even though I didn’t pray very well.
It gave me a strong sense of right and wrong – even though I didn’t always make the right choices.
The rosary drew me to the Eucharist, and I often road my bike to 7am Mass before school – even though the confusing and theologically tepid school RE program didn’t teach much about the Eucharist.
“…Protection against the disease of error and increases the strength of the soul” Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
“If I had an army to say the rosary, I could conquer the World” Bl.Pope Pius IX (1792 – 1878)
Fast forward years later, to my own marriage and young family I was stunned to hear a priest state emphatically that if the family is not reciting the rosary in the home, then within months of the children leaving school they will no longer be attending Mass!
Was I prepared to accept my children losing their faith, to live in mortal sin? Was I prepared to leave their faith education up to the Catholic school down the road? How can we expect them to be ‘counter-cultural’ in a world where Christian values were declining at rapid speed?
I wanted my children in heaven! They share in God’s Divine nature, they each have souls that are going to live forever, and what’s more God has a plan for each of them, in building up the Kingdom of God on earth – all this surpasses any material thing, passion or success story in this life!
So began the family rosary –one decade the first year- then we added another decade each year until we got to 5 decades.
The rosary is still the easiest way to acquire the ancient skills of meditative prayer, and gain great graces. Through this prayer of immense power – meditating on the greatest story of love in the history of the world – countless miracles have been obtained, and victories won.
“Among all the devotions approved by the Church, none has been so favoured by so many miracles as the rosary devotion” Bl. Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)
“It would hardly be possible for me to put into words how much Our Lady thinks of the Holy Rosary and of how She vastly prefers it to other devotions.” St Louis de Montfort(1673 – 1716)
But have you ever experienced a young family prayerfully & peacefully praying the rosarytogether in the evening? Then you’re dreaming (or that family is pretending! Or sick, or something). It’s nothing like that, it’s more akin to a circus.
I can remember my 5 year old giving out a decade one evening. She was furious with her brother and suddenly called out in the middle of the ‘Hail Mary’ “and blessed are you too FAT PATRICK”. Of course we all cracked up with laughter. And another time…the candle was lit, (children love candles) and as soon as the ‘Hail Holy Queen’ started, our toddler came thumping down the hall towards us and tried to jump the chair to be the first to blow out the candle…all came crashing down. More laughter.
A neighbouring family, living near us, once became distracted by a visiting guest after their family rosary…and their wallpaper caught fire from the candle. It was probably the most exciting event of their childhood –not so for the parents!
However, no matter what – the secret is to put one’s will into gear, and persevere –with joy if possible. Don’t ever give up. Our Lady wants it, we need it, and the world is desperate for it.
“The rosary is a spiritual weapon in the battle against evil, against all violence, for peace in hearts, in families, in society and in the world.” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
“If I had an army to say the rosary, I could conquer the World” Bl.Pope Pius IX (1792 – 1878)
I asked some of the mothers who come to our rosary group each week, about how the holy rosary has impacted on their lives.
Here are some thoughts:
“It has transformed our marriage”
“It gives me a greater acceptance of suffering, I’m less judgemental and more discerning”
“It has helped me recognise the beautiful gift that motherhood is”
“It brings me peace”
“It is my ‘Hour of Power’ when we pray together, giving us a common desire to do God’s will”
“It has brought me healing, after the devastating illness of my little daughter who contracted meningococcal C”
“I’m less attached to material things, to go shopping for unnecessary things.”
“Satan always tries to destroy this prayer, but he will never succeed. It is the prayer of Her who triumphs over everything and everyone” St Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)
Getting back to my sick sister:
After 9 craniotomies from the age of 1, and having to endure major cranio-facial surgical procedures into adulthood, she now lives an independent life, after acquiring various university degrees in music and education. She currently teaches at a conservatorium of music, and plays as an organist for Mass. All this – despite a CT scan showing certain brain damage, and after suffering total vision loss and substantial hearing loss. Such was the result of years of praying the family rosary and invoking the powerful intercession of Our Lady.
“The rosary is a good friend in joy, but an even better friend in battle. Today the drums continuously beat for battle. Our lives are one big battle.” Servant of God, Joseph Kenterich. (1885-1968)
~ Mary Clare Meney
Mary Clare lives in Sydney, is married to Chris and they have nine children. She has been a great promoter of the power of the Rosary and the importance of this great prayer within the family.
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