St. Louis Marie de Montfort - The Secret of the Rosary

8/13/2019 St. Louis Marie de Montfort - The Secret of the Rosary

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THE SECRET OF THE ROSARYFOR RENEWAL AND SALVATIONby St.Louis de MontfortA Wite Rose! De"r #inisters of te #ost i$ %od& you #y fe''o( )riests (o)re"* te trut of %od "nd (o te"* te

$os)e' to "'' n"tions& 'et #e $i+e you tis 'itt'e boo, "s "(ite rose t"t I (ou'd 'i,e you to ,ee). Te truts*ont"ined in it "re set fort in " +ery si#)'e "ndstr"i$tfor("rd #"nner& "s you (i'' see.-'e"se ,ee) te# in your e"rt so t"t you yourse'+es #"y #",e ")r"*ti*e of te Ros"ry "nd t"ste itsfruits.-'e"se "+e te# "'("ys on your 'i)s too& so t"t you (i'' "'("ys)re"* te Ros"ry "nd tus *on+ertoters by te"*in$ te# te e*e''en*e of tis o'y de+otion.I be$ of you to be("re of tin,in$ of te Ros"ry "s so#etin$ of'itt'e i#)ort"n*e / "s do i$nor"nt )eo)'e&

"nd e+en se+er"' $re"t but )roud s*o'"rs. F"r fro# bein$insi$nifi*"nt& te Ros"ry is " )ri*e'ess tre"sure(i* is ins)ired by %od.A'#i$ty %od "s $i+en it to you be*"use e ("nts you to use it"s " #e"ns to *on+ert te #ost "rdenedsinners "nd te #ost obstin"te ereti*s. He "s "tt"*ed to it$r"*e in tis 'ife "nd $'ory in te net. Te s"ints"+e s"id it f"itfu''y "nd te -o)es "+e endorsed it.Wen te Ho'y S)irit "s re+e"'ed tis se*ret to " )riest "nddire*tor of sou's& o( b'essed is t"t )riest0For te +"st #"1ority of )eo)'e f"i' to ,no( tis se*ret or e'seon'y ,no( it su)erfi*i"''y. If su* " )riest re"''yunderst"nds tis se*ret& e (i'' s"y te Ros"ry e"* d"y "nd (i''en*our"$e oters to s"y it. %od "nd isb'essed Moter (i'' )our "bund"nt $r"*e into is sou'& so t"t e#"y be*o#e %od2s instru#ent for is $'ory3"nd is (ord& tou$ si#)'e& (i'' do #ore $ood in one #ont t"nt"t of oter )re"*ers in se+er"' ye"rs.4 Terefore& #y de"r broters "nd fe''o( )riests& it (i'' not beenou$ for us to )re"* tis de+otion tooters3 (e #ust )r"*ti*e it ourse'+es& for if (e fir#'y be'ie+edin te i#)ort"n*e of te o'y Ros"ry but ne+ers"id it ourse'+es& )eo)'e *ou'd "rd'y be e)e*ted to "*t u)onour "d+i*e& sin*e no one *"n $i+e ("t e doesnot "+e5 67esus be$"n to do "nd to te"*.6 We ou$t to )"ttern

ourse'+es on our Lord& (o be$"n )r"*tisin$("t e )re"*ed. We ou$t to e#u'"te St. -"u'& (o ,ne( "nd)re"*ed notin$ but 7esus *ru*ified.I *ou'd te'' you "t $re"t 'en$t of te $r"*e %od "s $i+en #e to,no( by e)erien*e te effe*ti+eness of te)re"*in$ of te o'y Ros"ry& "nd of o( I "+e seen& (it #y o(neyes& te #ost (onderfu' *on+ersions it"s brou$t "bout. I (ou'd $'"d'y te'' you "'' tese tin$s if Itou$t t"t it (ou'd #o+e you to )re"* tis


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be"utifu' de+otion& in s)ite of te f"*t t"t )riests "re not inte "bit of doin$ so tese d"ys. 8ut inste"d of "''tis& I tin, it (i'' be 9uite enou$ for tis 'itt'e su##"ryt"t I "# (ritin$ if I te'' you " fe( "n*ient but "utenti*stories "bout te o'y Ros"ry. Tese e*er)ts re"''y $o to )ro+e("t I "+e out'ined for te f"itfu'.

A Red Rose: -oor #en "nd (o#en (o "re sinners& I& " $re"ter sinner t"nyou& (is to $i+e you tis rose& " *ri#sonone& be*"use te )re*ious b'ood of our Lord "s f"''en u)on it.-'e"se %od t"t it #"y brin$ true fr"$r"n*e intoyour 'i+es / but "bo+e "''& #"y it s"+e you fro# te d"n$er t"tyou "re in. E+ery d"y unbe'ie+ers "ndun/re)ent"nt sinners *ry& 6Let us *ro(n ourse'+es (it roses.68ut our *ry sou'd be& 6Let us *ro(n ourse'+es


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(it te roses of te o'y Ros"ry.6Ho( different "re teirs fro# ours0 Teir roses "re )'e"sures ofte f'es& (or'd'y onours "nd )"ssin$ri*es (i* (i't "nd de*"y in no ti#e& but ours& (i* "re teOur F"ter "nd H"i' M"ry (i* (e "+e s"idde+out'y o+er "nd o+er "$"in& "nd to (i* (e "+e "dded $ood

)enitenti"' "*ts& (i'' ne+er (i't or die& "nd tey(i'' be 1ust "s e9uisite tous"nds of ye"rs fro# no( "s tey "retod"y.On te *ontr"ry& sinners2 roses on'y 'oo, 'i,e roses& (i'e in)oint of f"*t tey "re *rue' torns (i* )ri*,te# durin$ 'ife by $i+in$ te# )"n$s of *ons*ien*e& "t teirde"t tey )ier*e te# (it bitter re$ret "nd& sti''(orse& in eternity tey turn to burnin$ s"fts of "n$er "nddes)"ir. 8ut if our roses "+e torns& tey "re tetorns of 7esus Crist& (o *"n$es te# into roses. If our roses)ri*, us& it is on'y for " sort ti#e& "nd on'yin order to *ure te i''ness of sin "nd to s"+e our sou's.

; So by "'' #e"ns (e sou'd e"$er'y *ro(n ourse'+es (it teseroses fro# e"+en& "nd re*ite te entireRos"ry e+ery d"y& t"t is to s"y& tree ros"ries e"* of fi+ede*"des& (i* "re 'i,e tree 'itt'e (re"ts or*ro(ns of f'o(ers. Tere "re t(o re"sons for doin$ tis5 first of"''& to onour te tree *ro(ns of 7esus "ndM"ry / 7esus2 *ro(n of $r"*e "t te ti#e of is In*"rn"tion& is*ro(n of torns durin$ is )"ssion& "nd is*ro(n of $'ory in e"+en& "nd of *ourse te tree/fo'd *ro(n(i* te 8'essed Trinity $"+e M"ry in e"+en.Se*ond'y& (e sou'd do tis so t"t (e ourse'+es #"y re*ei+etree *ro(ns fro# 7esus "nd M"ry& te first "*ro(n of #erit durin$ our 'ifeti#e3 te se*ond& " *ro(n of )e"*e"t our de"t3 "nd te tird& " *ro(n of $'ory ine"+en.If you s"y te Ros"ry f"itfu''y unti' de"t& I do "ssure yout"t& in s)ite of te $r"+ity of your sins 6you s"''re*ei+e " ne+er/f"din$ *ro(n of $'ory.6 E+en if you "re on tebrin, of d"#n"tion& e+en if you "+e one foot ine''& e+en if you "+e so'd your sou' to te de+i' "s sor*erersdo (o )r"*ti*e b'"*, #"$i*& "nd e+en if you "re" ereti* "s obstin"te "s " de+i'& sooner or '"ter you (i'' be*on+erted "nd (i'' "#end your 'ife "nd s"+e yoursou'& if / "nd #"r, (e'' ("t I s"y / if you s"y te Ros"ryde+out'y e+ery d"y unti' de"t for te )ur)ose of

,no(in$ te trut "nd obt"inin$ *ontrition "nd )"rdon for yoursins.In tis boo, tere "re se+er"' stories of $re"t sinners (o (ere*on+erted trou$ te )o(er of te Ros"ry.-'e"se re"d "nd #edit"te u)on te#.A Mysti*"' Rose Tree< %ood "nd de+out sou's& (o ("', in te 'i$t of te Ho'yS)irit& I do not tin, you (i'' #ind #y $i+in$ youtis 'itt'e #ysti*"' rose tree (i* *o#es str"i$t fro# e"+en


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"nd (i* is to be )'"nted in te $"rden of yoursou'. It *"nnot )ossib'y "r# te s(eet/s#e''in$ f'o(ers of your*onte#)'"tions3 for it is " e"+en'y tree "ndits s*ent is +ery )'e"s"nt. It (i'' not in te 'e"st interfere(it your *"refu''y )'"nned f'o(er/beds3 for& bein$ itse'f"'' )ure "nd (e''/ordered& it in*'ines "'' to order "nd )urity.

If it is *"refu''y ("tered "nd )ro)er'y "ttended toe+ery d"y& it (i'' $ro( to su* " #"r+e''ous ei$t& "nd itsbr"n*es (i'' "+e su* " (ide s)"n t"t& f"r fro#inderin$ your oter de+otions& it (i'' #"int"in "nd )erfe*tte#. Of *ourse& you underst"nd ("t I #e"n&sin*e you "re s)iritu"''y #inded3 tis #ysti*"' rose tree is7esus "nd M"ry in 'ife& de"t "nd eternity.= Its $reen 'e"+es "re te 7oyfu' Mysteries& te torns teSorro(fu' ones& "nd te f'o(ers te %'oriousMysteries of 7esus "nd M"ry. Te buds "re te *i'dood of 7esus"nd M"ry& "nd te o)en b'oo#s so( usbot of te# in teir sufferin$s& "nd te fu''/b'o(n roses

sy#bo'i>e 7esus "nd M"ry in teir triu#) "nd $'ory.A rose de'i$ts us be*"use of its be"uty5 so ere (e "+e 7esus"nd M"ry in te 7oyfu' Mysteries. Itstorns "re s"r)& "nd tey )ri*,& (i* #",es us tin, of te# inte Sorro(fu' Mysteries& "nd '"st of "''& its)erfu#e is so s(eet t"t e+eryone 'o+es it& "nd tis fr"$r"n*esy#bo'i>es teir %'orious Mysteries.So )'e"se do not s*orn tis be"utifu' "nd e"+en'y tree& but)'"nt it (it your o(n "nds in te $"rden ofyour sou'& by #",in$ te reso'ution to s"y your Ros"ry e+ery d"y.8y s"yin$ it d"i'y "nd by doin$ $ood (or,syou (i'' be tendin$ your tree& ("terin$ it& oein$ te e"rt"round it. E+entu"''y you (i'' see t"t tis 'itt'e seed(i* I "+e $i+en you& "nd (i* see#s so s#"'' no(& (i'' $ro(into " tree so $re"t t"t te birds of e"+en&t"t is& )redestin"te "nd *onte#)'"ti+e sou's& (i'' d(e'' in it"nd #",e teir nests tere. Its s"de (i'' se'terte# fro# te s*or*in$ e"t of te sun "nd its ei$t (i'' ,ee)te# s"fe fro# te (i'd be"sts on te $round.And best of "''& tey (i'' feed u)on te tree2s fruit& (i* isnone oter t"n our "dor"b'e 7esus& to (o# beonour "nd $'ory fore+er "nd e+er. A#en.


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%od A'oneA Rosebud? De"r 'itt'e friends& tis be"utifu' rosebud is for you3 it isone of te be"ds of your Ros"ry& "nd it #"y see#to you to be su* " tiny tin$. 8ut if you on'y ,ne( o( )re*ioustis be"d is0 Tis (onderfu' bud (i'' o)en out

into " $or$eous rose if you s"y your H"i' M"ry re"''y (e''.Of *ourse it (ou'd be too #u* to e)e*t you to s"y te (o'efifteen #ysteries e+ery d"y& but do s"y "t'e"st fi+e #ysteries& "nd s"y te# )ro)er'y (it 'o+e "ndde+otion. Tis Ros"ry (i'' be your 'itt'e (re"t ofroses& your *ro(n for 7esus "nd M"ry. -'e"se )"y "ttention toe+ery (ord I "+e s"id& "nd 'isten *"refu''y to "true story t"t I ("nt to te'' you& "nd t"t I (ou'd 'i,e you tore#e#ber. T(o 'itt'e $ir's& (o (ere sisters& (eres"yin$ te Ros"ry +ery de+out'y in front of teir ouse. Abe"utifu' '"dy sudden'y "))e"red& ("',ed to("rds teyoun$er $ir'& (o ("s on'y "bout si or se+en& too, er by te

"nd& "nd 'ed er "("y. Her e'der sister ("s+ery st"rt'ed "nd 'oo,ed for te 'itt'e $ir' e+ery(ere. At '"st&sti'' not "+in$ found er& se (ent o#e (ee)in$"nd to'd er )"rents t"t er sister "d been ,idn"))ed. Fortree (o'e d"ys te )oor f"ter "nd #otersou$t te *i'd (itout su**ess.At te end of te tird d"y tey found er "t te front door'oo,in$ etre#e'y "))y "nd )'e"sed. N"tur"''ytey "s,ed er (ere on e"rt se "d been& "nd se to'd te#t"t te '"dy to (o# se "d been s"yin$te Ros"ry "d t",en er to " 'o+e'y )'"*e (ere se "d $i+ener de'i*ious tin$s to e"t. Se s"id t"t te'"dy "d "'so $i+en er " b"by boy to o'd& t"t e ("s +erybe"utifu'& "nd t"t se "d ,issed i# "$"in "nd"$"in.Te f"ter "nd #oter& (o "d been *on+erted to te C"to'i*f"it on'y " sort ti#e before& sent "t on*efor te 7esuit F"ter (o "d instru*ted te# for teir re*e)tioninto te Cur* "nd (o "d "'so t"u$t te#de+otion to te Ros"ry. Tey to'd i# e+erytin$ t"t "d"))ened& "nd it ("s tis )riest i#se'f (o to'd #etis story. It "'' too, )'"*e in -"r"$u"y.So& de"r *i'dren& i#it"te tese 'itt'e $ir's "nd s"y your Ros"rye+ery d"y "s tey "'("ys did. If you do tis&you (i'' e"rn te ri$t to $o to e"+en to see 7esus "nd M"ry. If

it is not teir (is t"t you sou'd see te# intis 'ife& "t "ny r"te "fter you die you (i'' see te# for "''eternity. A#en.Terefore 'et "'' #en& te 'e"rned "nd te i$nor"nt& te 1ust "ndte sinners& te $re"t "nd te s#"''& )r"ise"nd onour 7esus "nd M"ry ni$t "nd d"y& by s"yin$ te o'yRos"ry. 6%reet M"ry (o "s '"boured #u*"#on$ you.6FIRST DECADE


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Te sur)"ssin$ #erit of te Ros"ry "s seen in its ori$in "ndn"#e.First Rose@ Te Ros"ry is #"de u) of t(o tin$s5 #ent"' )r"yer "nd +o*"')r"yer. In te Ros"ry #ent"' )r"yer is noneoter t"n #edit"tion of te *ief #ysteries of te 'ife& de"t

"nd $'ory of 7esus Crist "nd of is b'essedMoter. Vo*"' )r"yer *onsists in s"yin$ fifteen de*"des of teH"i' M"ry& e"* de*"de e"ded by "n OurF"ter& (i'e "t te s"#e ti#e #edit"tin$ on "nd *onte#)'"tin$te fifteen )rin*i)"' +irtues (i* 7esus "ndM"ry )r"*tised in te fifteen #ysteries of te Ros"ry.In te first fi+e de*"des (e #ust onour te fi+e 7oyfu'Mysteries "nd #edit"te on te#3 in te se*ond fi+ede*"des& te Sorro(fu' Mysteries3 "nd in te tird $rou) of fi+e&te %'orious Mysteries. So te Ros"ry is "b'essed b'endin$ of #ent"' "nd +o*"' )r"yer by (i* (e onour"nd 'e"rn to i#it"te te #ysteries "nd te

+irtues of te 'ife& de"t& )"ssion "nd $'ory of 7esus "nd M"ry.Se*ond Rose


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! Sin*e te Ros"ry is *o#)osed& )rin*i)"''y "nd in subst"n*e& ofte )r"yer of Crist "nd te An$e'i*S"'ut"tion& t"t is& te Our F"ter "nd te H"i' M"ry& it ("s(itout doubt te first )r"yer "nd te )rin*i)"'de+otion of te f"itfu' "nd "s been in use "'' trou$ te*enturies& fro# te ti#e of te ")ost'es "nd

dis*i)'es do(n to te )resent.!! It ("s on'y in te ye"r !4!;& o(e+er& t"t te Cur*re*ei+ed te Ros"ry in its )resent for# "nd"**ordin$ to te #etod (e use tod"y. It ("s $i+en to te Cur*by St. Do#ini*& (o "d re*ei+ed it fro#te 8'essed Vir$in "s " #e"ns of *on+ertin$ te A'bi$ensi"ns "ndoter sinners.I (i'' te'' you te story of o( e re*ei+ed it& (i* is foundin te +ery (e''/,no(n boo, De Di$nit"te-s"'terii& by 8'essed A'"n de '" Ro*e. S"int Do#ini*& seein$t"t te $r"+ity of )eo)'e2s sins ("s inderin$te *on+ersion of te A'bi$ensi"ns& (itdre( into " forest ne"r

Tou'ouse& (ere e )r"yed *ontinuous'y fortree d"ys "nd tree ni$ts. Durin$ tis ti#e e did notin$ but(ee) "nd do "rs )en"n*es in order to"))e"se te "n$er of %od. He used is dis*i)'ine so #u* t"t isbody ("s '"*er"ted& "nd fin"''y e fe'' into "*o#".At tis )oint our L"dy "))e"red to i#& "**o#)"nied by tree"n$e's& "nd se s"id& 6De"r Do#ini*& do you,no( (i* (e")on te 8'essed Trinity ("nts to use to refor# te(or'dB66O& #y L"dy&6 "ns(ered S"int Do#ini*& 6you ,no( f"r better t"nI do& be*"use net to your Son 7esusCrist you "+e "'("ys been te *ief instru#ent of ours"'+"tion.6Ten our L"dy re)'ied& 6I ("nt you to ,no( t"t& in tis ,ind of("rf"re& te )rin*i)"' (e")on "s "'("ysbeen te An$e'i* -s"'ter& (i* is te found"tion/stone of teNe( Test"#ent. Terefore& if you ("nt to re"*tese "rdened sou's "nd (in te# o+er to %od& )re"* #y-s"'ter.6So e "rose& *o#forted& "nd burnin$ (it >e"' for te *on+ersionof te )eo)'e in t"t distri*t& e #"destr"i$t for te *"tedr"'. At on*e unseen "n$e's r"n$ te be''sto $"ter te )eo)'e to$eter& "nd S"intDo#ini* be$"n to )re"*.

At te +ery be$innin$ of is ser#on& "n "))"''in$ stor# bro,eout& te e"rt soo,& te sun ("s d"r,ened&"nd tere ("s so #u* tunder "nd 'i$tnin$ t"t "'' (ere +ery#u* "fr"id. E+en $re"ter ("s teir fe"r (en&'oo,in$ "t " )i*ture of our L"dy e)osed in " )ro#inent )'"*e&tey s"( er r"ise er "r#s to e"+en treeti#es to *"'' do(n %od2s +en$e"n*e u)on te# if tey f"i'ed to be*on+erted& to "#end teir 'i+es& "nd see,te )rote*tion of te o'y Moter of %od.


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%od (ised& by #e"ns of tese su)ern"tur"' )eno#en"& to s)re"dte ne( de+otion of te o'y Ros"ry"nd to #",e it #ore (ide'y ,no(n.At '"st& "t te )r"yer of S"int Do#ini*& te stor# *"#e to "nend& "nd e (ent on )re"*in$. So fer+ent'y"nd *o#)e''in$'y did e e)'"in te i#)ort"n*e "nd +"'ue of te

Ros"ry t"t "'#ost "'' te )eo)'e of Tou'ousee#br"*ed it "nd renoun*ed teir f"'se be'iefs. In " +ery sortti#e " $re"t i#)ro+e#ent ("s seen in te to(n3)eo)'e be$"n 'e"din$ Cristi"n 'i+es "nd $"+e u) teir for#er b"d"bits.Tird Rose!4 Te #ir"*u'ous ("y in (i* te de+otion to te o'y Ros"ry("s est"b'ised is so#etin$ of " )"r"''e' tote ("y in (i* %od $"+e is '"( to te (or'd on Mount Sin"i&"nd it ob+ious'y )ro+es its +"'ue "ndi#)ort"n*e.Ins)ired by te Ho'y S)irit& instru*ted by te 8'essed Vir$in "s

(e'' "s by is o(n e)erien*e& S"int Do#ini*)re"*ed te Ros"ry for te rest of is 'ife. He )re"*ed it byis e"#)'e "s (e'' "s by is ser#ons& in *ities"nd in *ountry )'"*es& to )eo)'e of i$ st"tion "nd 'o(& befores*o'"rs "nd te unedu*"ted& to C"to'i*s "ndto ereti*s.Te Ros"ry& (i* e s"id e+ery d"y& ("s is )re)"r"tion fore+ery ser#on "nd is 'itt'e tryst (it our L"dyi##edi"te'y "fter )re"*in$.!: One d"y e "d to )re"* "t Notre D"#e in -"ris& "nd it"))ened to be te fe"st of St. 7on teE+"n$e'ist. He ("s in " 'itt'e *")e' beind te i$ "'t"r)r"yerfu''y )re)"rin$ is ser#on by s"yin$ teRos"ry& "s e "'("ys did& (en our L"dy "))e"red to i# "nd s"id56Do#ini*& e+en tou$ ("t you "+e)'"nned to s"y #"y be +ery $ood& I "# brin$in$ you " #u* betterser#on.6


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S"int Do#ini* too, in is "nds te boo, our L"dy )roffered& re"dte ser#on *"refu''y "nd& (en e "dunderstood it "nd #edit"ted on it& e $"+e t"n,s to er.Wen te ti#e *"#e& e (ent u) into te )u')it "nd& in s)ite ofte fe"st d"y& #"de no #ention of S"int7on oter t"n to s"y t"t e "d been found (orty to be te

$u"rdi"n of te ueen of He"+en. Te*on$re$"tion ("s #"de u) of teo'o$i"ns "nd oter e#inent )eo)'e&(o (ere used to e"rin$ unusu"' "nd)o'ised dis*ourses3 but S"int Do#ini* to'd te# t"t it ("s notis desire to $i+e te# " 'e"rned dis*ourse&(ise in te eyes of te (or'd& but t"t e (ou'd s)e", in tesi#)'i*ity of te Ho'y S)irit "nd (it isfor*efu'ness.So e be$"n )re"*in$ te Ros"ry "nd e)'"ined te H"i' M"ry (ordby (ord "s e (ou'd to " $rou) of*i'dren& "nd used te +ery si#)'e i''ustr"tions (i* (ere inte boo, $i+en i# by our L"dy.

!; C"rt"$en"& te $re"t s*o'"r& 9uotin$ 8'essed A'"n de '"Ro*e in De Di$nit"te -s"'terii& des*ribes o(tis too, )'"*e.68'essed A'"n (rites t"t one d"y F"ter Do#ini* s"id to i# in "+ision& 2My son& it is $ood to )re"*3 buttere is "'("ys " d"n$er of 'oo,in$ for )r"ise r"ter t"n tes"'+"tion of sou's. Listen *"re/fu''y to ("t"))ened to #e in -"ris& so t"t you #"y be on your $u"rd "$"insttis ,ind of #ist",e. I ("s to )re"* in te$re"t *ur* dedi*"ted to te 8'essed Vir$in "nd I ("s)"rti*u'"r'y "nious to $i+e " fine ser#on& not out of)ride& but be*"use of te i$ inte''e*tu"' st"ture of te*on$re$"tion.62An our before te ti#e I "d to )re"*& I ("s dutifu''y s"yin$#y Ros"ry / "s I "'("ys did before $i+in$ "ser#on / (en I fe'' into e*st"sy. I s"( #y be'o+ed friend& teMoter of %od& *o#in$ to("rds #e (it " boo,in er "nd. 6Do#ini*&6 se s"id& 6your ser#on for tod"y #"y be+ery $ood indeed& but no #"tter o( $ood itis& I "+e brou$t you one t"t is +ery #u* better.662Of *ourse I ("s o+er1oyed& "nd I too, te boo, "nd re"d e+ery(ord of it. 7ust "s our L"dy "d s"id& Ifound e"*t'y te ri$t tin$s to s"y in #y ser#on& so I t"n,eder (it "'' #y e"rt.62Wen it ("s ti#e to be$in& I s"( t"t te ni+ersity of -"ris

"d turned out in fu'' for*e& "s (e'' "s " '"r$enu#ber of nob'e#en. Tey "d "'' seen "nd e"rd of te $re"ttin$s t"t te $ood Lord "d been doin$trou$ #e.62I (ent u) into te )u')it. It ("s te fe"st of S"int 7on teE+"n$e'ist but "'' I s"id "bout i# ("s t"t e"d been found (orty to be te $u"rdi"n of te ueen of He"+en.Ten I "ddressed te *on$re$"tion562My Lords "nd i''ustrious do*tors of te ni+ersity& you "re


10/93

"**usto#ed to e"rin$ 'e"rned ser#ons suitedto your refined t"stes. No( I do not ("nt to s)e", to you in tes*o'"r'y '"n$u"$e of u#"n (isdo# but& onte *ontr"ry& to so( you te S)irit of Cod "nd is $re"tness.62Here ends te 9uot"tion fro# 8'essed A'"n& "fter (i* C"rt"$en"$oes on to s"y in is o(n (ords&

6Ten S"int Do#ini* e)'"ined te An$e'i* S"'ut"tion to te#&usin$ si#)'e *o#)"risons "nd e"#)'es fro#e+eryd"y 'ife.6!< 8'essed A'"n& "**ordin$ to C"rt"$en"& #entioned se+er"' otero**"sions (en our Lord "nd our L"dy"))e"red to S"int Do#ini* to ur$e i# "nd ins)ire i# to )re"*te Ros"ry #ore "nd #ore in order to (i)eout sin "nd *on+ert sinners "nd ereti*s.In "noter )"ss"$e C"rt"$en" s"ys& 68'essed A'"n s"id our L"dyre+e"'ed to i# t"t& "fter se "d"))e"red to S"int Do#ini*& er b'essed Son "))e"red to i# "nds"id& 2Do#ini*& I re1oi*e to see t"t you "re

not re'yin$ on your o(n (isdo# "nd t"t& r"ter t"n see, tee#)ty )r"ise of #en& you "re (or,in$ (it $re"tu#i'ity for te s"'+"tion of sou's.628ut #"ny )riests ("nt to )re"* tunderous'y "$"inst te (orst,inds of sin "t te +ery outset& f"i'in$ tore"'i>e t"t before " si*, )erson is $i+en bitter #edi*ine& eneeds to be )re)"red by bein$ )ut into te ri$tfr"#e of #ind to re"''y benefit by it.62T"t is (y& before doin$ "nytin$ e'se& )riests sou'd try to,ind'e " 'o+e of )r"yer in )eo)'e2s e"rts "ndes)e*i"''y " 'o+e of #y An$e'i* -s"'ter. If on'y tey (ou'd "''st"rt s"yin$ it "nd (ou'd re"''y )erse+ere& %od inis #er*y *ou'd "rd'y refuse to $i+e te# is $r"*e. So I ("ntyou to )re"* #y Ros"ry.62!= In "noter )'"*e 8'essed A'"n s"ys& 6A'' )riests s"y " H"i'M"ry (it te f"itfu' before )re"*in$& to "s,for %od2s $r"*e.2 Tey do tis be*"use of " re+e'"tion t"t S"intDo#ini* "d fro# our L"dy. 2My son&2 se s"idone d"y& 2do not be sur)rised t"t your ser#ons f"i' to be"r teresu'ts you "d o)ed for. You "re tryin$ to*u'ti+"te " )ie*e of $round (i* "s not "d "ny r"in. No( (en%od )'"nned to rene( te f"*e of te e"rt&


11/93

e st"rted by sendin$ do(n r"in fro# e"+en / "nd tis ("s teAn$e'i* S"'ut"tion. In tis ("y %od refor#edte (or'd.62So (en you $i+e " ser#on& ur$e )eo)'e to s"y #y Ros"ry& "nd intis ("y your (ords (i'' be"r #u*fruit for sou's.2

6S"int Do#ini* 'ost no ti#e in obeyin$& "nd fro# ten on eeerted $re"t inf'uen*e by is ser#ons.6 Tis'"st 9uot"tion is fro# 6Te 8oo, of Mir"*'es of te Ho'y Ros"ry&6(ritten in It"'i"n& "'so found in 7ustin2s (or,s&Ser#on !;:.!? I "+e been +ery )'e"sed to 9uote tese (e''/,no(n "utors(ord for (ord for te benefit of tose (o#i$t oter(ise "+e doubts "s to te #"r+e''ous )o(er of teRos"ry.As 'on$ "s )riests fo''o(ed S"int Do#ini*2s e"#)'e "nd )re"*edde+otion to te o'y Ros"ry& )iety "ndfer+our tri+ed trou$out te Cristi"n (or'd "nd in tose

re'i$ious orders (i* (ere de+oted to te Ros"ry.8ut sin*e )eo)'e "+e ne$'e*ted tis $ift fro# e"+en& "'' ,indsof sin "nd disorder "+e s)re"d f"r "nd (ide.Fourt Rose!G A'' tin$s& e+en te o'iest& "re sub1e*t to *"n$e&es)e*i"''y (en tey "re de)endent on #"n2s free (i''.It is "rd'y to be (ondered "t& ten& t"t te Confr"ternity ofte Ho'y Ros"ry on'y ret"ined its first fer+our for "*entury "fter it ("s instituted by S"int Do#ini*. After tis it("s 'i,e " tin$ buried "nd for$otten.Doubt'ess& too& te (i*,ed s*e#in$ "nd 1e"'ousy of te de+i'(ere '"r$e'y res)onsib'e for $ettin$ )eo)'e tone$'e*t te Ros"ry& "nd tus b'o*, te f'o( of %od2s $r"*e (i*it "d dr"(n u)on te (or'd.Tus& in !:;@ %od )unised te (o'e of Euro)e (it te #ostterrib'e )'"$ue t"t "d e+er been ,no(n.St"rtin$ in te e"st& it s)re"d trou$out It"'y& %er#"ny&Fr"n*e& -o'"nd "nd Hun$"ry& brin$in$ deso'"tion(ere+er it (ent& for out of " undred #en "rd'y one 'i+ed tote'' te t"'e. 8i$ *ities& to(ns& +i''"$es "nd#on"steries (ere "'#ost *o#)'ete'y deserted durin$ te treeye"rs t"t te e)ide#i* '"sted.Tis s*our$e of %od ("s 9ui*,'y fo''o(ed by t(o oters& teeresy of te F'"$e''"nts "nd " tr"$i* s*is#in !:?=.

!@ L"ter on& (en tese tri"'s (ere o+er& t"n,s to te #er*y of%od& our L"dy to'd 8'essed A'"n to re+i+e tefor#er Confr"ternity of te Ho'y Ros"ry. 8'essed A'"n ("s one ofte Do#ini*"n F"ters "t te #on"stery "tDin"n& in 8ritt"ny. He ("s "n e#inent teo'o$i"n "nd " f"#ous)re"*er. Our L"dy *ose i# be*"use& sin*ete Confr"ternity "d ori$in"''y been st"rted in t"t )ro+in*e&it ("s fittin$ t"t " Do#ini*"n fro# te s"#e)ro+in*e sou'd "+e te onour of re/est"b'isin$ it.


12/93

8'essed A'"n be$"n tis $re"t (or, in !;=& "fter " s)e*i"'("rnin$ fro# our Lord. Tis is o( e re*ei+edt"t ur$ent #ess"$e& "s e i#se'f te''s it5One d"y (en e ("s offerin$ M"ss& our Lord& (o (ised to s)uri# on to )re"* te o'y Ros"ry&s)o,e to i# in te S"*red Host. 6Ho( *"n you *ru*ify #e "$"in so

soonB6 7esus s"id. 6W"t did you s"y&LordB6 "s,ed 8'essed A'"n& orrified. 6You *ru*ified #e on*ebefore by your sins&6 "ns(ered 7esus& 6"nd I(ou'd (i''in$'y be *ru*ified "$"in r"ter t"n "+e #y F"teroffended by te sins you used to *o##it. You "re*ru*ifyin$ #e "$"in no( be*"use you "+e "'' te 'e"rnin$ "ndunderst"ndin$ t"t you need to )re"* #yMoter2s Ros"ry& "nd you "re not doin$ it. If you on'y did t"t&you *ou'd te"* #"ny sou's te ri$t )"t "nd'e"d te# "("y fro# sin. 8ut you "re not doin$ it& "nd so youyourse'f "re $ui'ty of te sins t"t tey *o##it.6Tis terrib'e re)ro"* #"de 8'essed A'"n so'e#n'y reso'+e to

)re"* te Ros"ry un*e"sin$'y.4 Our L"dy "'so s"id to i# one d"y to ins)ire i# to )re"* teRos"ry #ore "nd #ore& 6You (ere " $re"tsinner in your yout& but I obt"ined te $r"*e of your *on+ersionfro# #y Son. H"d su* " tin$ been )ossib'e&I (ou'd "+e 'i,ed to "+e $one trou$ "'' ,inds of sufferin$ tos"+e you& be*"use *on+erted sinners "re "$'ory to #e. And I (ou'd "+e done t"t "'so to #",e you (ortyof )re"*in$ #y Ros"ry f"r "nd (ide.6S"int Do#ini* "))e"red to 8'essed A'"n "s (e'' "nd to'd i# ofte $re"t resu'ts of is #inistry5 e "d)re"*ed te Ros"ry un*e"sin$'y& is ser#ons "d borne $re"tfruit "nd #"ny )eo)'e "d been *on+erteddurin$ is #issions.He s"id to 8'essed A'"n& 6See ("t (onderfu' resu'ts I "+e "dtrou$ )re"*in$ te Ros"ry. You "nd "''(o 'o+e our L"dy ou$t to do te s"#e so t"t& by #e"ns of tiso'y )r"*ti*e of te Ros"ry& you #"y dr"(


13/93

"'' )eo)'e to te re"' s*ien*e of te +irtues.68rief'y& ten& tis is te istory of o( S"int Do#ini*est"b'ised te o'y Ros"ry "nd of o( 8'essed A'"nde '" Ro*e restored it.Fift Rose4! Stri*t'y s)e",in$& tere *"n be on'y one ,ind of Confr"ternity

of te Ros"ry& t"t is& one (ose #e#bers"$ree to s"y te entire Ros"ry of !


14/93

si#)'e "nd unedu*"ted )eo)'e "re not "b'e to s"y te -s"'#s ofD"+id& te Ros"ry is e'd to be 1ust "s fruitfu'for te# "s D"+id2s -s"'ter is for oters.8ut te Ros"ry *"n be *onsidered to be e+en #ore +"'u"b'e t"nte '"tter for tree re"sons5! First'y& be*"use te An$e'i* -s"'ter be"rs " nob'er fruit& t"t

of te Word in*"rn"te&(ere"s D"+id2s -s"'ter on'y )ro)esies is *o#in$34 7ust "s te re"' tin$ is #ore i#)ort"nt t"n its )refi$ur"tion"nd te body sur)"sseste s"do(& so te -s"'ter of our L"dy is $re"ter t"n D"+id2s-s"'ter& (i* did no#ore t"n )refi$ure it3: 8e*"use our L"dy2s -s"'ter or te Ros"ry #"de u) of te OurF"ter "nd H"i' M"ryis te dire*t (or, of te 8'essed Trinity.Here is ("t te 'e"rned C"rt"$en" s"ys "bout it5Te s*o'"r'y (riter of Ai/'"/C")e''e s"ys in is boo,& Te

Rose Cro(n& dedi*"ted to te E#)erorM"i#i'i"n5 6It *"nnot be #"int"ined t"t S"'ut"tion of M"ry is "re*ent inno+"tion. It s)re"d "'#ost (it teCur* itse'f. For "t te +ery be$innin$s of te Cur* te #oreedu*"ted #e#bers of te f"itfu' *e'ebr"tedte )r"ises of %od in te !


15/93

)r"ises of te Ros"ry *ont"ined "'' te di+ine se*rets of te)s"'#s& for& if te )s"'#s sin$ of te one (o is to*o#e& te Ros"ry )ro*'"i#s i# "s "+in$ *o#e.6T"t is o( tey be$"n to *"'' teir )r"yer of !


16/93

one by one "nd )'"*in$ te# on our L"dy2se"d& (i'e se s#i'in$'y "**e)ted te#. Fin"''y& t(o oterfri"rs (o "d been sent to find out ("t "d"))ened to te first t(o s"( te s"#e s*ene& "nd our L"dy didnot 'e"+e unti' te (o'e Ros"ry "d beens"id.

So te *o#)'ete Ros"ry is " '"r$e *ro(n of roses "nd e"* *")'etof fi+e de*"des is " 'itt'e (re"t off'o(ers or " 'itt'e *ro(n of e"+en'y roses (i* (e )'"*e on tee"ds of 7esus "nd M"ry. Te rose is te9ueen of f'o(ers& "nd so te Ros"ry is te rose of de+otions "ndte #ost i#)ort"nt one.Ei$t Rose4= It is s*"r*e'y )ossib'e for #e to )ut into (ords o( our L"dyestee#s te Ros"ry "nd o( se )refers itto "'' oter de+otions. Nor *"n I suffi*ient'y e)ress o((onderfu''y se re("rds tose (o (or, to #",e,no(n te de+otion& to est"b'is it "nd s)re"d it nor& on te

oter "nd& o( stri*t'y se )unises tose (o


17/93

(or, "$"inst it.St. Do#ini* "d notin$ #ore "t e"rt durin$ is 'ife t"n to)r"ise our L"dy& to )re"* er $re"tness& "ndto ins)ire e+erybody to onour er by s"yin$ er Ros"ry. As "re("rd e re*ei+ed *ount'ess $r"*es fro# er.Tis )o(erfu' ueen of e"+en *ro(ned is '"bours (it #"ny

#ir"*'es "nd )rodi$ies. %od "'("ys $r"ntedi# ("t e "s,ed trou$ our L"dy. Te $re"test f"+our of "''("s t"t se e')ed i# to *rus teA'bi$ensi"n eresy "nd #"de i# te founder "nd )"tri"r* of "$re"t re'i$ious order.4? As for 8'essed A'"n de '" Ro*e& (o restored te de+otion ofte Ros"ry& e re*ei+ed #"ny )ri+i'e$esfro# our L"dy3 se $r"*ious'y "))e"red to i# se+er"' ti#es tote"* i# o( to (or, out is s"'+"tion& tobe*o#e " $ood )riest "nd )erfe*t re'i$ious& "nd o( to )"tterni#se'f on our Lord.He used to be orrib'y te#)ted "nd )erse*uted by de+i's& "nd ten

" dee) s"dness (ou'd f"'' u)on i# "ndso#eti#es e (ou'd be ne"r to des)"ir. 8ut our L"dy "'("ys*o#forted i# by er )resen*e& (i* b"nisedte *'ouds of d"r,ness fro# is sou'.Se t"u$t i# o( to s"y te Ros"ry& e)'"inin$ its +"'ue "ndte fruits to be $"ined by it3 "nd se $"+ei# " $re"t "nd $'orious )ri+i'e$e& (i* ("s te onour of bein$*"''ed er ne( s)ouse. As " to,en of er*"ste 'o+e for i#& se )'"*ed " rin$ u)on is fin$er "nd "ne*,'"*e #"de of er o(n "ir "bout is ne*, "nd$"+e i# " Ros"ry.Fr. Trit#e& te 'e"rned C"rt"$en" "nd M"rtin of N"+"rre& "s(e'' "s oters& "+e s)o,en of i# in ter#sof i$est )r"ise. 8'essed A'"n died "t (o''e& in F'"nders& onSe)te#ber Gt& !;?


18/93

")osto'"te& "nd is ser#ons (ere (onderfu''ysu**essfu'.4@ Our L"dy not on'y b'esses tose (o )re"* er Ros"ry but sei$'y re("rds "'' tose (o& by teire"#)'e& $et oters to s"y it.A')onsus& Jin$ of Leon "nd C"'i*i"& +ery #u* ("nted "'' is

ser+"nts to onour te 8'essed Vir$in bys"yin$ te Ros"ry& so e used to "n$ " '"r$e ros"ry on is be't&tou$ e ne+er s"id it i#se'f.Ne+erte'ess& is (e"rin$ it en*our"$ed is *ourtiers to s"y teRos"ry de+out'y.One d"y te Jin$ fe'' serious'y i'' "nd (en e ("s $i+en u) forde"d e found i#se'f& in s)irit& before te1ud$#ent/se"t of our Lord. M"ny de+i's (ere tere "**usin$ i# of"'' te sins e "d *o##itted& "nd ourLord ("s "bout to *onde#n i# (en our L"dy *"#e for("rd to s)e",in is f"+our. Se *"''ed for " )"ir ofs*"'es "nd "d is sins )'"*ed in one of te b"'"n*es& (i'e se

)ut te '"r$e ros"ry (i* e "d "'("ys(orn on te oter s*"'e& to$eter (it "'' te ros"ries t"t "dbeen s"id trou$ is e"#)'e. It ("s foundt"t te Ros"ries (ei$ed #ore t"n is sins.Loo,in$ "t i# (it $re"t ,indness& our L"dy s"id& 6As " re("rdfor te 'itt'e ser+i*e you did for #e in(e"rin$ #y ros"ry& I "+e obt"ined " $re"t $r"*e for you fro# #ySon. Your 'ife (i'' be s)"red for " fe( #oreye"rs. See t"t you s)end tose ye"rs (ise'y& "nd do )en"n*e.6Wen te Jin$ re$"ined *ons*iousness e *ried out& 68'essed bete Ros"ry of te #ost o'y Vir$in M"ry&by (i* I "+e been de/'i+ered fro# etern"' d"#n"tion.6After e "d re*o+ered is e"'t& e s)ent te rest of is 'ifein s)re"din$ de+otion to te Ros"ry& "nd s"idit f"itfu''y e+ery d"y.-eo)'e (o 'o+e te 8'essed Vir$in ou$t to fo''o( te e"#)'e ofJin$ A')onsus "nd t"t of te s"ints(o# I "+e #entioned& so t"t tey too #"y (in oter sou's forte Confr"ternity of te Ho'y Ros"ry. Tey(i'' re*ei+e $re"t $r"*es ere on e"rt "nd fin"''y etern"' 'ife.6Tose (o e)'"in #e (i'' "+e 'ife e+er'"stin$.6


19/93

Nint Rose: It is +ery (i*,ed indeed "nd un1ust to inder te )ro$ress ofte Confr"ternity of te Ho'y Ros"ry. %od "sse+ere'y )unised #"ny of tose (o "+e been so beni$ted "s tos*orn te Confr"ternity "nd "+e sou$tto destroy it.

E+en tou$ %od "s set is se"' of "))ro+"' on te Ros"ry by#"ny #ir"*'es& "nd tou$ it "s been"))ro+ed by te Cur* in #"ny )")"' bu''s& tere "re on'y too#"ny )eo)'e (o "re "$"inst te o'y Ros"rytod"y. Su* "re free/tin,ers "nd tose (o s*orn re'i$ion& (oeiter *onde#n te Ros"ry or try to turnoters "("y fro# it.It is e"sy to see t"t tey "+e "bsorbed te )oison of e'' "ndt"t tey "re ins)ired by te de+i'3 for no one*"n *onde#n de+otion to te o'y Ros"ry (itout *onde#nin$ "''t"t is #ost o'y in te C"to'i* f"it& su*"s te Lord2s )r"yer& te H"i' M"ry "nd te #ysteries of te

'ife& de"t "nd $'ory of 7esus Crist "nd is o'yMoter.Tese freetin,ers& (o *"nnot be"r to "+e )eo)'e s"yin$ teRos"ry& often f"'' into "n ereti*"' st"te of#ind (itout re"'i>in$ it "nd *o#e to "te te Ros"ry "nd its#ysteries.To "+e " 'o"tin$ for *onfr"ternities is to f"'' "("y fro# %od"nd true )iety& for our Lord i#se'f "s to'd ust"t e is "'("ys in te #idst of tose (o "re $"tered to$eterin is n"#e. No $ood C"to'i* (ou'd ne$'e*tte #"ny $re"t indu'$en*es (i* te Cur* "s $r"nted to*onfr"ternities. Fin"''y& to dissu"de oters fro#1oinin$ te Ros"ry Confr"ternity is to be "n ene#y of sou's&be*"use te Ros"ry is " #e"ns of "+oidin$ sin"nd 'e"din$ " $ood 'ife.St. 8on"+enture s"ys in is 6-s"'ter6 t"t (oe+er ne$'e*ts ourL"dy (i'' die in is sins. W"t& ten& #ustbe te )unis#ent in store for tose (o turn )eo)'e "("y fro#de+otion to erBTent Rose:! Wi'e St. Do#ini* ("s )re"*in$ te Ros"ry in C"r*"ssone& "ereti* #"de fun of is #ir"*'es "nd tefifteen #ysteries of te Ros"ry& "nd tis )re+ented oterereti*s fro# bein$ *on+erted. As " )unis#ent %od"''o(ed fifteen tous"nd de+i's to enter te #"n2s body.

His )"rents too, i# to F"ter Do#ini* to be de'i+ered fro# tee+i' s)irits. He st"rted to )r"y "nd ebe$$ed e+eryone (o ("s tere to s"y te Ros"ry out 'oud (iti#& "nd "t e"* H"i' M"ry our L"dy dro+e "undred de+i's out of te #"n& "nd tey *"#e out in te for# ofred/ot *o"'s.After e "d been de'i+ered& e "b1ured is for#er errors& ("s*on+erted "nd 1oined te Ros"ryConfr"ternity. Se+er"' of is "sso*i"tes did te s"#e& "+in$


20/93

been $re"t'y #o+ed by is )unis#ent "nd byte )o(er of te Ros"ry.:4 Te 'e"rned Fr"n*is*"n& C"rt"$en"& "s (e'' "s se+er"' oter"utors& s"ys t"t "n etr"ordin"ry e+enttoo, )'"*e in !;G4. Te +ener"b'e Fr. 7"#es S)ren$er "nd tere'i$ious of is order (ere >e"'ous'y (or,in$ to

re/est"b'is de+otion to te Ros"ry "nd its Confr"ternity in te*ity of Co'o$ne. nfortun"te'y& t(o )riests (o(ere f"#ous for teir )re"*in$ "bi'ity (ere 1e"'ous of te $re"tinf'uen*e tey (ere eertin$ trou$)re"*in$ te Ros"ry. Tese t(o F"ters s)o,e "$"inst tisde+otion (ene+er tey "d " *"n*e& "nd "stey (ere +ery e'o9uent "nd "d " $re"t re)ut"tion& tey)ersu"ded #"ny )eo)'e not to 1oin te Confr"ternity.One of te#& te better to "*ie+e is (i*,ed end& (rote "s)e*i"' ser#on "$"inst te Ros"ry "nd )'"nned to$i+e it te fo''o(in$ Sund"y. 8ut (en te ti#e *"#e for teser#on e did not "))e"r "nd& "fter " *ert"in

"#ount of ("itin$& so#eone (ent to fet* i#. He ("s found to bede"d& "nd e "d e+ident'y died (itout"nyone to e') i#.After )ersu"din$ i#se'f t"t tis de"t ("s due to n"tur"'*"uses& te oter )riest de*ided to *"rry out isfriend2s )'"n "nd $i+e " si#i'"r ser#on on "noter d"y& o)in$ to)ut "n end to te Confr"ternity of te Ros"ry.Ho(e+er& (en te d"y *"#e for i# to )re"* "nd it ("s ti#e to$i+e te ser#on& %od )unised i# bystri,in$ i# do(n (it )"r"'ysis (i* de)ri+ed i# of te use ofis 'i#bs "nd of is )o(er of s)ee*.At '"st e "d#itted is f"u't "nd t"t of is friend "nd in ise"rt e si'ent'y besou$t our L"dy to e') i#.He )ro#ised t"t if on'y se (ou'd *ure i#& e (ou'd )re"* teRos"ry (it "s #u* >e"' "s t"t (it(i* e "d for#er'y fou$t "$"inst it. For tis end e i#)'oreder to restore is e"'t "nd is s)ee*&


21/93

(i* se did& "nd findin$ i#se'f inst"nt"neous'y *ured e roseu) 'i,e "noter S"u'& " )erse*utor turneddefender of te o'y Ros"ry. He )ub'i*'y "*,no('ed$ed is for#ererror "nd e+er "fter("rds )re"*ed te(onders of te Ros"ry (it $re"t >e"' "nd e'o9uen*e.:: I "# 9uite sure t"t freetin,ers "nd u'tr"/*riti*"' )eo)'e of

tod"y (i'' 9uestion te trut of te stories in tis'itt'e boo,& "s tey 9uestion #ost tin$s& but "'' I "+e done"s been to *o)y te# fro# +ery $ood*onte#)or"ry "utors "nd& in )"rt& fro# " boo, (ritten " sortti#e "$o& Te Mysti*"' Rose/tree& by Fr.Antonin To#"s& O.-.E+eryone ,no(s t"t tere "re tree different ,inds of f"it by(i* (e be'ie+e different ,inds of stories. Tostories fro# Ho'y S*ri)ture (e o(e di+ine f"it3 to stories onnon/re'i$ious sub1e*ts (i* "re not "$"inst*o##on sense "nd "re (ritten by trust(orty "utors& (e )"y tetribute of u#"n f"it3 "nd to stories "bout

o'y sub1e*ts (i* "re to'd by $ood "utors "nd "re not in "ny("y *ontr"ry to re"son& to f"it or to #or"'se+en tou$ tey #"y so#eti#es de"' (it "))enin$s (i* "re"bo+e te ordin"ry& (e )"y te tribute of ")ious f"it.I "$ree t"t (e #ust be neiter too *redu'ous nor too *riti*"'&"nd t"t (e sou'd ,ee) " "))y #ediu# in"'' tin$s in order to find 1ust (ere trut "nd +irtue 'ie. 8uton te oter "nd& I ,no( e9u"''y (e'' t"t *"ritye"si'y 'e"ds us to be'ie+e "'' t"t is not *ontr"ry to f"it or#or"'s5 6C"rity be'ie+es "'' tin$s&6 in te s"#e ("y"s )ride indu*es us to doubt e+en (e'' "utenti*"ted stories onte )'e" t"t tey "re not to be found in Ho'yS*ri)ture.Tis is one of te de+i'2s tr")s3 ereti*s of te )"st (o deniedtr"dition "+e f"''en into it& "nd o+er/*riti*"')eo)'e of tod"y "re f"''in$ into it too& (itout e+en re"'i>in$it. -eo)'e of tis ,ind refuse to be'ie+e ("t tey donot underst"nd or ("t is not to teir 'i,in$& si#)'y be*"use orteir o(n s)irit of )ride "nd inde)enden*e.SECOND DECADETe sur)"ssin$ #erit of te Ros"ry "s seen in te )r"yers (i**o#)ose it.E'e+ent Rose Te Creed:; Te Creed or te Sy#bo' of te A)ost'es& (i* is s"id on te

*ru*ifi of te ros"ry& is " o'y su##"ry of"'' te Cristi"n truts. It is " )r"yer t"t "s $re"t #erit&be*"use f"it is te root& found"tion "nd be$innin$ of"'' Cristi"n +irtues& of "'' etern"' +irtues& "nd of "'' )r"yerst"t "re )'e"sin$ to %od. 6Anyone (o *o#es to%od #ust be'ie+e&6 "nd te $re"ter is f"it te #ore #erit is)r"yer (i'' "+e& te #ore )o(erfu' it (i'' be&"nd te #ore it (i'' $'orify %od.I s"'' not t",e ti#e ere to e)'"in te Creed (ord for (ord&


22/93

but I *"nnot resist s"yin$ t"t te first (ords& 6Ibe'ie+e in %od&6 "re (onderfu''y effe*ti+e "s " #e"ns ofs"n*tifyin$ our sou's "nd )uttin$ te de+i's to rout&be*"use tese (ords *ont"in te "*ts of te tree teo'o$i*"'+irtues of f"it& o)e "nd *"rity.It ("s by s"yin$ tese (ords t"t #"ny s"ints o+er*"#e

te#)t"tions& es)e*i"''y tose "$"inst f"it& o)eor *"rity& eiter durin$ teir 'ifeti#e or "t te our of teirde"t. Tey (ere "'so te '"st (ords of St. -eter&M"rtyr. A ereti* "d *'eft is e"d in t(o by " b'o( of iss(ord& "nd "'tou$ St. -eter ("s "t is '"st $"s)&e #"n"$ed to tr"*e tese (ords in te s"nd (it is fin$er.:< Te o'y Ros"ry *ont"ins #"ny #ysteries of 7esus "nd M"ry& "ndsin*e f"it is te on'y ,ey (i* o)ensu) tese #ysteries for us& (e #ust be$in te Ros"ry by s"yin$ teCreed +ery de+out'y& "nd te stron$er ourf"it te #ore #erit our Ros"ry (i'' "+e.Tis f"it #ust be 'i+e'y "nd infor#ed by *"rity3 in oter

(ords& to re*ite te Ros"ry )ro)er'y it isne*ess"ry to be in %od2s $r"*e& or "t 'e"st see,in$ it. Tisf"it #ust be stron$ "nd *onst"nt& t"t is& one #ustnot be 'oo,in$ for sensib'e de+otion "nd s)iritu"' *onso'"tion inte re*it"tion of te Ros"ry3 nor sou'd one$i+e it u) be*"use te #ind is f'ooded (it *ount'ess in+o'unt"rydistr"*tions& or be*"use one e)erien*es "str"n$e dist"ste in te sou' or "n "'#ost *ontinu"' "ndo))ressi+e f"ti$ue of te body. Neiter fee'in$s& nor*onso'"tion& nor si$s& nor tr"ns)orts& nor te *ontinu"'"ttention of te i#"$in"tion "re needed3 f"it "nd $ood


23/93

intentions "re 9uite enou$. So'" fides suffi*it.T(e'ft Rose Te Our F"ter:= Te Our F"ter or te Lord2s -r"yer deri+es its $re"t +"'ue"bo+e "'' fro# its "utor& (o is neiter " #"nnor "n "n$e'& but te Jin$ of "n$e's "nd of #en& our Lord 7esusCrist. St. Cy)ri"n s"ys it ("s ne*ess"ry t"t

e (o *"#e to $i+e us te 'ife of $r"*e "s our S"+iour sou'dte"* us te ("y to )r"y "s our e"+en'yM"ster.Te be"utifu' order& te tender for*efu'ness "nd te *'"rity oftis di+ine )r"yer )"y tribute to our di+ineM"ster2s (isdo#. It is " sort )r"yer but *"n te"* us so +ery#u*& "nd it is (e'' (itin te $r"s) ofunedu*"ted )eo)'e& (i'e s*o'"rs find it " *ontinu"' sour*e ofin+esti$"tion into te #ysteries of %od.Te Our F"ter *ont"ins "'' te duties (e o(e to %od& te "*ts of"'' te +irtues "nd te )etitions for "'' ours)iritu"' "nd *or)or"' needs. Tertu''i"n s"ys t"t te Our F"ter

is " su##"ry of te Ne( Test"#ent. To#"s" Je#)is s"ys t"t it sur)"sses "'' te desires of "'' tes"ints3 t"t it is " *ondens"tion of "'' te be"utifu's"yin$s of "'' te )s"'#s "nd *"nti*'es3 t"t in it (e "s, %odfor e+erytin$ t"t (e need& t"t by it (e )r"isei# in te +ery best ("y3 t"t by it (e 'ift u) our sou's fro#e"rt to e"+en "nd unite te# *'ose'y to %od.:? St. 7on Crysosto# s"ys t"t (e *"nnot be our M"ster2sdis*i)'es un'ess (e )r"y "s e did "nd in te("y t"t e so(ed us. Moreo+er& %od te F"ter 'istens #ore(i''in$'y to te )r"yer t"t (e "+e 'e"rnedfro# is Son r"ter t"n tose of our o(n #",in$& (i* "+e "''our u#"n 'i#it"tions.We sou'd s"y te Our F"ter (it te *ertitude t"t te etern"'F"ter (i'' e"r us be*"use it is te )r"yerof is Son& (o# e "'("ys e"rs& "nd be*"use (e "re is #e#bers.%od (i'' sure'y $r"nt our )etitions#"de trou$ te Lord2s -r"yer be*"use it is i#)ossib'e toi#"$ine t"t su* " $ood F"ter *ou'd refuse "re9uest *ou*ed in te '"n$u"$e of so (orty " Son& reinfor*ed byis #erits& "nd #"de "t is beest.St. Au$ustine "ssures us t"t (ene+er (e s"y te Our F"terde+out'y our +eni"' sins "re for$i+en. Te1ust #"n f"''s se+en ti#es& "nd in te Lord2s -r"yer e (i'' findse+en )etitions (i* (i'' bot e') i# to

"+oid '")ses "nd )rote*t i# fro# is s)iritu"' ene#ies. OurLord& ,no(in$ o( (e", "nd e')'ess (e "re&"nd o( #"ny diffi*u'ties (e endure& #"de is )r"yer sort "nde"sy to s"y& so t"t if (e s"y it de+out'y "ndoften& (e *"n be sure t"t %od (i'' 9ui*,'y *o#e to our "id.:G I "+e " (ord for you& de+out sou's (o )"y 'itt'e "ttentionto te )r"yer t"t te Son of %od $"+e usi#se'f "nd "s,ed us "'' to s"y5 It is i$ ti#e for you to*"n$e your ("y of tin,in$. You on'y estee# )r"yers


24/93

t"t #en "+e (ritten& "s tou$ "nybody& e+en te #ost ins)ired#"n in te (o'e (or'd& *ou'd )ossib'y,no( #ore "bout o( (e ou$t to )r"y t"n 7esus Crist i#se'f0You 'oo, for )r"yers in boo,s (ritten byoter #en "'#ost "s tou$ you (ere "s"#ed of s"yin$ te )r"yert"t our Lord to'd us to s"y.

You "+e #"n"$ed to *on+in*e yourse'f t"t te )r"yers in toseboo,s "re for s*o'"rs "nd for te ri*&"nd t"t te Ros"ry is on'y for (o#en "nd *i'dren "nd te )oor)eo)'e. As if te )r"yers "nd )r"ises you"+e been re"din$ (ere #ore be"utifu' "nd #ore )'e"sin$ to %odt"n tose (i* "re to be found in teLord2s -r"yer0 It is " +ery d"n$erous te#)t"tion to 'ose interestin te )r"yer t"t our Lord $"+e us "nd to t",eu) )r"yers t"t #en "+e (ritten inste"d.Not t"t I dis"))ro+e of )r"yers t"t s"ints "+e (ritten toen*our"$e te f"itfu' to )r"ise %od& but it is notto be endured t"t tey sou'd )refer tese to te )r"yer (i*

("s uttered by Wisdo# in*"rn"te. If teyi$nore tis )r"yer& it is "s tou$ tey )"ssed by te s)rin$ to$o to te broo,& "nd refusin$ te *'e"r ("ter&tey drin, inste"d t"t (i* is dirty. For te Ros"ry& #"de u)of te Lord2s -r"yer "nd te H"i' M"ry& is tis*'e"r "nd e+er/f'o(in$ ("ter (i* *o#es fro# te fount"in of$r"*e& (ere"s oter )r"yers (i* tey 'oo,for in boo,s "re notin$ but tiny stre"#s (i* s)rin$ fro# tisfount"in.:@ -eo)'e (o s"y te Lord2s -r"yer *"refu''y& (ei$in$ e+ery(ord "nd #edit"tin$ on te#& #"y indeed *"''te#se'+es b'essed& for tey find terein e+erytin$ t"t teyneed or *"n (is for.Wen (e s"y tis (onderfu' )r"yer& (e tou* %od2s e"rt "t te+ery outset by *"''in$ i# by t"t s(eetn"#e of F"ter.6Our F"ter&6 e is te de"rest of f"ters5 "''/)o(erfu' in is*re"tion& (onderfu' in te ("y e #"int"ins te


25/93

(or'd& *o#)'ete'y 'o+"b'e in is di+ine -ro+iden*e& "'' $ood "ndinfinite'y so in te Rede#)tion. We "+e %odfor our F"ter& so (e "re "'' broters& "nd e"+en is ouro#e'"nd "nd our erit"$e. Tis sou'd be #ore t"nenou$ to te"* us to 'o+e %od "nd our nei$bour& "nd to bedet"*ed fro# te tin$s of tis (or'd.

So (e ou$t to 'o+e our e"+en'y F"ter "nd s"y to i# o+er "ndo+er "$"in5 6Our F"ter (o "rt ine"+en6 /Tou (o dost fi'' e"+en "nd e"rt (it te i##ensity of tybein$&Tou (o "rt )resent e+ery(ere5Tou (o "rt in te s"ints by ty $'ory&in te d"#ned by ty 1usti*e&in te $ood by ty $r"*e&in sinners by te )"tien*e(it (i* tou dost to'er"te te#&$r"nt t"t (e #"y "'("ys re#e#ber

t"t (e *o#e fro# tee3$r"nt t"t (e #"y 'i+e "s ty true *i'dren3t"t (e #"y dire*t our *ourse to("rds tee "'one(it "'' te "rdour of our sou'.6H"''o(ed by ty n"#e.6 Te n"#e of te Lord is o'y "nd to befe"red& s"id te )ro)et/,in$ D"+id& "nde"+en& "**ordin$ to Is"i"& e*oes (it te )r"ises of teser")i# (o un*e"sin$'y )r"ise te o'iness ofte Lord& %od of osts.We "s, ere t"t "'' te (or'd #"y 'e"rn to ,no( "nd "dore te"ttributes of our %od& (o is so $re"t "ndso o'y. We "s, t"t e #"y be ,no(n& 'o+ed "nd "dored by )"$"ns&Tur,s& 7e(s& b"rb"ri"ns "nd "'' infide's3t"t "'' #en #"y ser+e "nd $'orify i# by " 'i+in$ f"it& "st"un* o)e& " burnin$ *"rity& "nd by terenoun*in$ of "'' erroneous be'iefs. In sort& (e )r"y t"t "''#en #"y be o'y be*"use our %od i#se'f iso'y.6Ty ,in$do# *o#e.6 T"t is to s"y5 M"y you rei$n in our sou's byyour $r"*e& durin$ 'ife& so t"t "fter de"t(e #"y be found (orty to rei$n (it tee in ty ,in$do#& in)erfe*t "nd unendin$ b'iss3 t"t (e fir#'y be'ie+ein tis "))iness to *o#e3 (e o)e for it "nd (e e)e*t it&be*"use %od te F"ter "s )ro#ised it in is$re"t $oodness& "nd be*"use it ("s )ur*"sed for us by te #erits

of %od te Son3 "nd it "s been #"de,no(n to us by te 'i$t of te Ho'y S)irit.6Ty (i'' be done on e"rt "s it is in e"+en.6 As Tertu''i"ns"ys& tis senten*e does not #e"n in te 'e"stt"t (e "re "fr"id of )eo)'e t("rtin$ %od2s desi$ns& be*"usenotin$ ("tsoe+er *"n "))en (itout di+ine-ro+iden*e "+in$ foreseen it "nd "+in$ #"de it fit into is)'"ns before"nd. No obstru*tion in te (o'e(or'd *"n )ossib'y )re+ent te (i'' of %od fro# bein$ *"rried


26/93

out.R"ter& (en (e s"y tese (ords& (e "s, %od to #",e us u#b'yresi$ned to "'' t"t e "s seen fit tosend us in tis 'ife. We "'so "s, i# to e') us to do& in "''tin$s "nd "t "'' ti#es& is o'y (i''& #"de ,no(n tous by te *o##"nd#ents& )ro#)t'y& 'o+in$'y "nd f"itfu''y& "s te

"n$e's "nd te b'essed do in e"+en.; 6%i+e us tis d"y our d"i'y bre"d.6 Our Lord te"*es us to "s,%od for e+erytin$ t"t (e need& (eter inte s)iritu"' or te te#)or"' order. 8y "s,in$ for our d"i'ybre"d& (e u#b'y "d#it our o(n )o+erty "ndinsuffi*ien*y& "nd )"y tribute to our %od& ,no(in$ t"t "''te#)or"' $oods *o#e fro# is -ro+iden*e. Wen (es"y bre"d (e "s, for t"t (i* is ne*ess"ry to 'i+e3 "nd& of*ourse t"t does not in*'ude 'uuries.We "s, for tis bre"d tod"y& (i* #e"ns t"t (e "re *on*ernedon'y for te )resent& 'e"+in$ te #orro(in te "nds of -ro+iden*e.

And (en (e "s, for our d"i'y bre"d& (e re*o$ni>e t"t (e need%od2s e') e+ery d"y "nd t"t (e "reentire'y de)endent u)on i# for is e') "nd )rote*tion.6For$i+e us our tres)"sses "s (e for$i+e tose (o tres)"ss"$"inst us.6 E+ery sin& s"ys St. Au$ustine"nd Tertu''i"n& is " debt (i* (e *ontr"*t (it %od& "nd e inis 1usti*e re9uires )"y#ent do(n to te '"stf"rtin$. nfortun"te'y (e "'' "+e tese s"d debts.No #"tter o( #"ny tey #"y be& (e sou'd $o to %od (it "''*onfiden*e "nd (it true sorro( for oursins& s"yin$& 6Our F"ter (o "rt in e"+en& for$i+e us our sinsof tou$t "nd tose of s)ee*& for$i+e us oursins of *o##ission "nd of o#ission (i* #",e us infinite'y$ui'ty in te eyes of ty 1usti*e.6We d"re to "s, tis be*"use tou "rt our 'o+in$ "nd #er*ifu'F"ter& "nd be*"use (e "+e for$i+en tose(o "+e offended us& out of obedien*e to you "nd out of *"rity.


27/93

6Do not )er#it us& in s)ite of our infide'ity to ty $r"*es& to$i+e in to te te#)t"tions of te (or'd& te de+i'&"nd te f'es.68ut de'i+er us fro# e+i'.6 Te e+i' of sin& fro# te e+i' ofte#)or"' )unis#ent "nd of e+er'"stin$)unis#ent& (i* (e "+e ri$t'y deser+ed.

6A#en.6 Tis (ord "t te end of te Our F"ter is +ery *onso'in$&"nd St. 7ero#e s"ys t"t it is " sort ofse"' of "))rob"tion t"t %od )uts "t te end of our )etitions to"ssure us t"t e (i'' $r"nt our re9uests& "stou$ e i#se'f (ere "ns(erin$56A#en0 M"y it be "s you "+e "s,ed& for tru'y you "+e obt"ined("t you "s,ed for.6 T"t is ("t is #e"ntby tis (ord5 A#en.Tirteent Rose;! E"* (ord of te Lord2s -r"yer is " tribute (e )"y to te)erfe*tions of %od. We onour is fe*undity byte n"#e of F"ter.

F"ter&tou (o trou$out eternitydost be$et " Son(o is %od 'i,e tee&etern"'& *onsubst"nti"' (it tee&(o is of te +ery s"#e essen*e "s tee3"nd is of 'i,e )o(er"nd $oodness"nd (isdo# "s tou "rt....F"ter "nd Son&(o& fro# your #utu"' 'o+e&)rodu*e te Ho'y S)irit&(o is %od 'i,e unto you3tree )ersons but one %od.Our F"ter. Tis #e"ns t"t e is te F"ter of #"n,ind& be*"usee "s *re"ted us "nd *ontinues tosust"in us& "nd be*"use e "s redee#ed us. He is "'so te#er*ifu' F"ter of sinners& te F"ter (o is tefriend of te 1ust& "nd te $'orious F"ter of te b'essed ine"+en.Wen (e s"y Wo "rt& (e onour by tese (ords te infinity "ndi##ensity "nd fu''ness of %od2sessen*e. %od is ri$t'y *"''ed 6He (o is36 t"t is to s"y& eeists of ne*essity& essenti"''y& "nd etern"''y&be*"use e is te 8ein$ of bein$s "nd te *"use of "'' bein$s. He

)ossesses (itin i#se'f& in "su)ere#inent de$ree& te )erfe*tions of "'' bein$s& "nd e is in"'' of te# by is essen*e& by is )resen*e"nd by is )o(er& but (itout bein$ bounded by teir 'i#it"tions.We onour is sub'i#ity "nd is $'ory "nd is#"1esty by te (ords Wo "rt in e"+en& t"t is to s"y& se"ted "son ty trone& o'din$ s("y o+er "'' #en byty 1usti*e.Wen (e s"y H"''o(ed be ty N"#e& (e (orsi) %od2s o'iness3 "nd


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(e #",e obeis"n*e to is ,in$si)"nd bo( to te 1usti*e of is '"(s by te (ords Ty ,in$do# *o#e&)r"yin$ t"t #en (i'' obey i# on e"rt "ste "n$e's do in e"+en.We so( our trust in is -ro+iden*e by "s,in$ for our d"i'ybre"d& "nd (e "))e"' to is #er*y (en (e

"s, for te for$i+eness of our sins.We 'oo, to is $re"t )o(er (en (e be$ i# not to 'e"d us intote#)t"tion& "nd (e so( our f"it in is$oodness by our o)e t"t e (i'' de'i+er us fro# e+i'.Te Son of %od "s "'("ys $'orified is F"ter by is (or,s& "nde *"#e into te (or'd to te"* #en to$i+e $'ory to i#. He so(ed #en o( to )r"ise i# by tis)r"yer& (i* e t"u$t us (it is o(n 'i)s. It isour duty& terefore& to s"y it often& (it "ttention& "nd in tes"#e s)irit "s e *o#)osed it.Fourteent Rose


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;4 We #",e "s #"ny "*ts of te nob'est Cristi"n +irtues "s (e)ronoun*e (ords (en (e re*ite tisdi+ine )r"yer "ttenti+e'y.In s"yin$ 6Our F"ter& (o "rt in e"+en&6 (e #",e "*ts of f"it&"dor"tion "nd u#i'ity. Wen (e "s, t"tis n"#e be "''o(ed& (e so( " burnin$ >e"' for is $'ory. Wen

(e "s, for te s)re"d of is ,in$do#& (e#",e "n "*t of o)e3 by te (is t"t is (i'' be done on e"rt"s it is in e"+en& (e so( " s)irit of )erfe*tobedien*e. In "s,in$ for our d"i'y bre"d& (e )r"*ti*e )o+erty ofs)irit "nd det"*#ent fro# (or'd'y $oods.Wen (e be$ i# to for$i+e us our sins& (e #",e "n "*t of sorro(for te#. 8y for$i+in$ tose (o "+etres)"ssed "$"inst us& (e $i+e )roof of te +irtue of #er*y inits i$est de$ree. Trou$ "s,in$ %od2s e') in"'' our te#)t"tions& (e #",e "*ts of u#i'ity& )ruden*e "ndfortitude. As (e ("it for i# to de'i+er us fro# e+i'&(e eer*ise te +irtue of )"tien*e.

Fin"''y& (i'e "s,in$ for "'' tese tin$s& not on'y forourse'+es but "'so for our nei$bour "nd for "''#e#bers of te Cur*& (e "re *"rryin$ out our duty "s true*i'dren of %od& (e "re i#it"tin$ i# in is 'o+e(i* e#br"*es "'' #en "nd (e "re ,ee)in$ te *o##"nd#ent of 'o+eof our nei$bour.;: If (e #e"n in our e"rts ("t (e s"y (it our 'i)s& "nd if ourintentions "re not "t +"ri"n*e (it tosee)ressed in te Lord2s -r"yer& ten& by re*itin$ tis )r"yer& (e"te "'' sin "nd (e obser+e "'' of %od2s '"(s.For (ene+er (e tin, t"t %od is in e"+en& t"t is to s"y&infinite'y re#o+ed fro# us by te $re"tness of is#"1esty& (e )'"*e ourse'+es in is )resen*e fi''ed (ito+er(e'#in$ re+eren*e. Ten te fe"r of te Lord (i''*"se "("y "'' )ride "nd (e (i'' bo( do(n before %od in utternotin$ness.Wen (e )ronoun*e te n"#e 6F"ter6 "nd re#e#ber t"t (e o(e oureisten*e to %od& by #e"ns of our)"rents& "nd e+en te instru*tion (e "+e re*ei+ed by #e"ns ofour te"*ers& (o t",e te )'"*e of %od "nd"re is 'i+in$ i#"$es& (e *"nnot e') )"yin$ te# onour "ndres)e*t& or& to be #ore e"*t& to onour %od inte#. And notin$ (ou'd be f"rter fro# our tou$ts t"n to bedisres)e*tfu' to te# or urt te#.Wen (e )r"y t"t %od2s o'y n"#e be $'orified& (e *"nnot be

f"rter fro# )rof"nin$ it. If (e re"''y 'oo,u)on te ,in$do# of %od "s our erit"$e& (e *"nnot )ossib'y be"tt"*ed to te tin$s of tis (or'd.If (e sin*ere'y "s, %od t"t our nei$bour #"y "+e te s"#eb'essin$s t"t (e ourse'+es st"nd in needof& it $oes (itout s"yin$ t"t (e (i'' $i+e u) "'' "tred&9u"rre''in$ "nd 1e"'ousy. And if (e "s, %od for our d"i'ybre"d& (e s"'' 'e"rn to "te $'uttony "nd sensu"' )'e"sures(i* tri+e in ri* surroundin$s.


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Wi'e sin*ere'y "s,in$ %od to for$i+e us "s (e for$i+e tose (otres)"ss "$"inst us& (e no 'on$er $i+e("y to "n$er "nd re+en$e& (e return $ood for e+i' "nd (e 'o+e ourene#ies.To "s, %od to s"+e us fro# f"''in$ into sin (en (e "re te#)tedis to $i+e )roof t"t (e "re fi$tin$

'">iness "nd t"t (e "re $enuine'y see,in$ #e"ns to root out+i*ious "bits "nd to (or, out our s"'+"tion.To )r"y %od to de'i+er us fro# e+i' is to fe"r is 1usti*e& "ndtis (i'' $i+e us true "))iness& for te fe"r of%od is te be$innin$ of (isdo#. It is trou$ te +irtue of tefe"r of %od t"t #en "+oid sin.Fifteent Rose;; Te An$e'i* S"'ut"tion& or H"i' M"ry& is so e"+en'y "nd sobeyond us in its de)t of #e"nin$& t"t8'essed A'"n de '" Ro*e e'd t"t no #ere *re"ture *ou'd e+erunderst"nd it& "nd t"t on'y our Lord 7esusCrist& born of te Vir$in M"ry& *"n re"''y e)'"in it.

Its enor#ous +"'ue is due& first of "''& to our L"dy to (o# it("s "ddressed& to te )ur)ose of teIn*"rn"tion of te Word& for (i* re"son tis )r"yer ("s brou$tfro# e"+en& "nd "'so to te "r*"n$e'%"brie' (o ("s te first e+er to s"y it.Te An$e'i* S"'ut"tion is " #ost *on*ise su##"ry of "'' t"tC"to'i* teo'o$y te"*es "bout te 8'essedVir$in. It is di+ided into t(o )"rts& t"t of )r"ise "nd t"t of)etition. Te first so(s "'' t"t $oes to #",e u)M"ry2s $re"tness3 "nd te se*ond& "'' t"t (e need to "s, erfor& "nd "'' t"t (e #"y e)e*t to re*ei+etrou$ er $oodness.Te #ost 8'essed Trinity re+e"'ed te first )"rt of it to us3 St.E'i>"bet& ins)ired by te Ho'y S)irit& "ddedte se*ond3 "nd te Cur* $"+e us te *on*'usion in te ye"r ;:(en se *onde#ned te Nestori"neresy "t te Coun*i' of E)esus "nd defined t"t te 8'essedVir$in is tru'y te Moter of %od. At tis ti#ese ordered us to )r"y to our L"dy under tis $'orious tit'e bys"yin$& 6Ho'y M"ry& Moter of %od& )r"y for ussinners& no( "nd "t te our of our de"t.6


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;< Te $re"test e+ent in te (o'e istory of te (or'd ("s teIn*"rn"tion of te etern"' Word by (o# te(or'd ("s redee#ed "nd )e"*e ("s restored bet(een %od "nd #en.Our L"dy ("s *osen "s isinstru#ent for tis tre#endous e+ent& "nd it ("s )ut into effe*t(en se ("s $reeted (it te An$e'i*

S"'ut"tion. Te "r*"n$e' %"brie'& one of te 'e"din$ )rin*es ofte e"+en'y *ourt& ("s *osen "s"#b"ss"dor to be"r tese $'"d tidin$s.In te An$e'i* S"'ut"tion *"n be seen te f"it "nd o)e of te)"tri"r*s& te )ro)ets "nd te ")ost'es.Furter#ore& it $i+es to #"rtyrs teir uns(er+in$ *onst"n*y "ndstren$t& it is te (isdo# of te do*tors of teCur*& te )erse+er"n*e of te o'y *onfessors "nd te 'ife of"'' re'i$ious 8'essed A'"n. It is te ne( y#nof te '"( of $r"*e& te 1oy of "n$e's "nd #en& "nd te y#n(i* terrifies de+i's "nd )uts te# to s"#e.8y te An$e'i* S"'ut"tion %od be*"#e #"n& " +ir$in be*"#e te

Moter of %od& te sou's of te 1ust (erede'i+ered fro# Li#bo& te e#)ty trones in e"+en "+e beenfi''ed& sin "s been )"rdoned& $r"*e been $i+ento us& te si*, been #"de (e''& te de"d brou$t b"*, to 'ife&ei'es brou$t o#e& te 8'essed Trinity "sbeen "))e"sed& "nd #en obt"ined etern"' 'ife.Fin"''y& te An$e'i* S"'ut"tion is te r"inbo( in te s,y& " si$nof te #er*y "nd $r"*e (i* %od "s $i+ento te (or'd 8'essed A'"n.Siteent Rose;= E+en tou$ tere is notin$ so $re"t "s te #"1esty of %od"nd notin$ so 'o( "s #"n in so f"r "s e is" sinner& A'#i$ty %od does not des)ise our )oor )r"yers. On te*ontr"ry& e is )'e"sed (en (e sin$ is)r"ises.And te An$e'2s $reetin$ to our L"dy is one of te #ost be"utifu'y#ns (i* (e *ou'd )ossib'y sin$ to te$'ory of te Most Hi$. 6To you (i'' I sin$ " ne( son$.6 Tis ne(y#n& (i* D"+id foreto'd (ou'd be sun$ "tte *o#in$ of te Messi"& is none oter t"n te An$e'i*S"'ut"tion.Tere is "n o'd y#n "nd " ne( y#n5 te first is t"t (i* te7e(s s"n$ out of $r"titude to %od for*re"tin$ te# "nd #"int"inin$ te# in eisten*e& for de'i+erin$te# fro# *")ti+ity "nd 'e"din$ te# s"fe'y

trou$ te Red Se"& for $i+in$ te# #"nn" to e"t& "nd for "''is oter b'essin$s.Te ne( y#n is t"t (i* Cristi"ns sin$ in t"n,s$i+in$ forte $r"*es of te In*"rn"tion "nd teRede#)tion. As tese #"r+e's (ere brou$t "bout by te An$e'i*S"'ut"tion& so "'so do (e re)e"t te s"#es"'ut"tion to t"n, te #ost 8'essed Trinity for te i##e"sur"b'e$oodness so(n to us.We )r"ise %od te F"ter be*"use e so 'o+ed te (or'd t"t e


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$"+e us is on'y Son "s our S"+iour. Web'ess te Son be*"use e dei$ned to 'e"+e e"+en "nd *o#e do(nu)on e"rt& be*"use e ("s #"de #"n"nd redee#ed us. We $'orify te Ho'y S)irit be*"use e for#ed ourLord2s )ure body in te (o#b of our L"dy&t"t body (i* ("s te +i*ti# for our sins. In tis s)irit of

dee) t"n,fu'ness sou'd (e& ten& "'("ys s"y teH"i' M"ry& #",in$ "*ts of f"it& o)e& 'o+e "nd t"n,s$i+in$ forte )ri*e'ess $ift of s"'+"tion.;? A'tou$ tis ne( y#n is in )r"ise of te Moter of %od "ndis sun$ dire*t'y to er& it is ne+erte'ess#ost $'orious to te 8'essed Trinity& for "ny onour (e )"y toour L"dy returns ine+it"b'y to %od& te sour*e of"'' er )erfe*tions "nd +irtues. %od te F"ter is $'orified (en(e onour te #ost )erfe*t of is *re"tures3%od te Son is $'orified (en (e )r"ise is #ost )ure Moter3 teHo'y S)irit is $'orified (en (e "re 'ost in"d#ir"tion "t te $r"*es (it (i* e "s fi''ed is s)ouse.

Wen (e )r"ise "nd b'ess our L"dy by s"yin$ te An$e'i*S"'ut"tion& se "'("ys refers tese )r"ises to%od in te s"#e ("y "s se did (en se ("s )r"ised by St.E'i>"bet. Te '"tter b'essed er in er i$di$nity "s Moter of %od "nd our L"dy i##edi"te'y returned tese)r"ises to %od in er be"utifu' M"$nifi*"t.;G 7ust "s te An$e'i* S"'ut"tion $"+e $'ory to te 8'essedTrinity& it is "'so te +ery i$est )r"ise t"t (e*"n $i+e to M"ry.One d"y& (en St. Me*ti'de ("s )r"yin$ "nd ("s tryin$ to tin,of so#e ("y in (i* se *ou'd e)resser 'o+e of te 8'essed Vir$in better t"n before& se fe'' intoe*st"sy. Our L"dy "))e"red to er (it teAn$e'i* S"'ut"tion (ritten in 'etters of $o'd u)on er bre"st "nds"id to er& 6My d"u$ter& I ("nt you to ,no(t"t no one *"n )'e"se #e #ore t"n by s"yin$ te $reetin$ (i*te #ost "dor"b'e Trinity )resented to #e


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"nd by (i* I ("s r"ised to te di$nity of te Moter of %od.68y te (ord A+e& (i* is te n"#e of E+e& E+"& I 'e"rned t"t%od in is infinite )o(er "d )reser+ed #efro# "'' sin "nd its "ttend"nt #isery (i* te first (o#"n "dbeen sub1e*t to.6Te n"#e M"ry& (i* #e"ns 2'"dy of 'i$t&2 so(s t"t %od "s

fi''ed #e (it (isdo# "nd 'i$t& 'i,e "sinin$ st"r& to 'i$t u) e"+en "nd e"rt.6Te (ords& fu'' of $r"*e& re#ind #e t"t te Ho'y S)irit "sso(ered so #"ny $r"*es u)on #e t"t I "#"b'e to $i+e tese $r"*es in "bund"n*e to tose (o "s, for te#trou$ #y #edi"tion.6Wen )eo)'e s"y& Te Lord is (it tee& tey rene( teindes*rib"b'e 1oy t"t ("s #ine (en te etern"'Word be*"#e in*"rn"te in #y (o#b.6Wen you s"y to #e& 8'essed "rt tou "#on$ (o#en& I )r"ise te#er*y of %od (o "s r"ised #e totis e"'ted de$ree of "))iness.

6And "t te (ords& 8'essed is te fruit of ty (o#b& 7esus& te(o'e of e"+en re1oi*es (it #e to see #ySon 7esus "dored "nd $'orified for "+in$ s"+ed #"n,ind.6Se+enteent Rose;@ 8'essed A'"n de '" Ro*e& (o ("s so dee)'y de+oted to te8'essed Vir$in& "d #"ny re+e'"tions fro#er& "nd (e ,no( t"t e *onfir#ed te trut of tese re+e'"tionsby " so'e#n o"t. Tree of te# st"nd out(it s)e*i"' e#)"sis5 te first& t"t if )eo)'e f"i' to s"y teH"i' M"ry& (i* "s s"+ed te (or'd& out of*"re'essness& or be*"use tey "re 'u,e("r#& or be*"use tey "teit& tis is "n indi*"tion t"t tey (i'')rob"b'y be *onde#ned to etern"' )unis#ent.Te se*ond trut is t"t tose (o 'o+e tis di+ine s"'ut"tionbe"r te +ery s)e*i"' st"#) of )redestin"tion.Te tird is t"t tose to (o# %od "s $i+en tis f"+our of'o+in$ our L"dy "nd of ser+in$ er out of 'o+e#ust t",e +ery $re"t *"re to *ontinue to 'o+e "nd ser+e er unti'te ti#e (en se s"'' "+e "d te#)'"*ed in e"+en by er Son in te de$ree of $'ory (i* tey"+e e"rned 8'essed A'"n


34/93

*"n be t"t " de+otion (i* see#s to be so s#"'' *"n be teinf"''ib'e si$n of etern"' s"'+"tion& "nd o( its"bsen*e *"n be te si$n of %od2s etern"' dis)'e"sure3ne+erte'ess& notin$ *ou'd be #ore true.In our o(n d"y (e see t"t )eo)'e (o o'd ne( do*trines t"t"+e been *onde#ned by te Cur*& (it

"'' teir (ou'd/be )iety& i$nore te de+otion to te Ros"ry "ndoften dissu"de teir "*9u"int"n*es fro# s"yin$it (it "'' sorts of fine )retets. Tey "re +ery *"refu' not to*onde#n te Ros"ry "nd te S*")u'"r& "s teC"'+inists do& but te ("y tey set "bout "tt"*,in$ te# is "''te #ore de"d'y be*"use it is te #ore *unnin$.I s"'' refer to it "$"in '"ter on.e"'ous in e"rt& te stron$er "$"inst "'' ourene#ies.Te H"i' M"ry is " s"r) "nd f'"#in$ s"ft (i*& 1oined to teWord of %od& $i+es te )re"*er testren$t to )ier*e& #o+e& "nd *on+ert te #ost "rdened e"rts&e+en if e "s 'itt'e or no n"tur"' $ift for


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)re"*in$.As I "+e "'re"dy s"id& tis ("s te $re"t se*ret t"t our L"dyt"u$t St. Do#ini* "nd 8'essed A'"n for te*on+ersion of ereti*s "nd sinners. S"int Antoninus te''s us t"tt"t is (y #"ny )riests "*9uired te "bit ofs"yin$ " H"i' M"ry "t te be$innin$ of teir ser#ons.

Ei$teent Rose"bet e"rd te $reetin$ $i+en er by te Moter of%od& se ("s fi''ed (it te Ho'y S)irit "nd te *i'd in er(o#b 'e")ed for 1oy. If (e #",e ourse'+es (ortyof te $reetin$ "nd b'essin$ of our L"dy& (e s"'' *ert"in'y befi''ed (it $r"*es "nd " f'ood of s)iritu"'*onso'"tions (i'' f'o( into our sou's.Nineteent Rose


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'"ys u) " tre"sure.6 -resent er e+ery d"y(it "t 'e"st fifty H"i' M"rys& for e"* one is (ort fifteen)re*ious stones& (i* "re #ore )'e"sin$ to er t"n"'' te ri*es of tis (or'd )ut to$eter.And you *"n ten e)e*t $re"t tin$s fro# er $enerosity. Se isour Moter "nd our friend. Se is te

e#)ress of te uni+erse "nd 'o+es us #ore t"n "'' te #oters"nd 9ueens of te (or'd "+e e+er 'o+ed "nyone u#"n bein$& for& "s St. Au$ustine s"ys& te *"rity of te8'essed Vir$in f"r sur)"sses te n"tur"' 'o+e of"'' #"n,ind "nd e+en of "'' te "n$e's.


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2H"i'& M"ry.26Ho)e is #"de stron$ in #y bre"st "nd te de( of *onso'"tionf"''s on #y sou' #ore "nd #ore& be*"use Is"y& 2H"i'& M"ry.2 And #y s)irit re1oi*es "nd sorro( f"des "("y&(en I s"y 2H"i'& M"ry.26For te s(eetness of tis b'essed s"'ut"tion is so $re"t t"t

tere "re no (ords to e)'"in it "de9u"te'y&"nd e+en (en its (onders "+e been sun$& (e sti'' find it sofu'' of #ystery "nd so )rofound t"t its de)ts*"n ne+er be )'u#bed. It "s but fe( (ords but is e*eedin$ ri*in #ystery3 it is s(eeter t"n oney "nd#ore )re*ious t"n $o'd. We sou'd often #edit"te on it in oure"rts& "nd "+e it e+er on our 'i)s so "s to s"yit de+out'y "$"in "nd "$"in.68'essed A'"n "'so re'"tes t"t " nun (o "d "'("ys "d " $re"tde+otion to te Ros"ry "))e"red "fter erde"t to one of er sisters in re'i$ion "nd s"id to er& 6If I(ere "b'e to return in #y body to "+e te *"n*e of

s"yin$ 1ust " sin$'e H"i' M"ry& e+en (itout $re"t fer+our& I(ou'd $'"d'y $o trou$ te sufferin$s t"t I "ddurin$ #y '"st i''ness "'' o+er "$"in& in order to $"in te #eritof tis )r"yer6 It is to be noted t"t se "d beenbedridden "nd suffered "$oni>in$ )"ins for se+er"' ye"rs beforese died.


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$i+e you so#e of tese $r"*es.Are you "'one& "+in$ 'ost %od2s )rote*tionB -r"y to M"ry "nds"y& Te Lord is (it tee& in " nob'er "nd#ore inti#"te ("y t"n e is (it te s"ints "nd te 1ust&be*"use tou "rt one (it i#. He is ty Son "nd isf'es is ty f'es3 tou "rt united to te Lord be*"use of ty

)erfe*t 'i,eness to i# "nd by your #utu"' 'o+e& fortou "rt is Moter. And ten s"y to er& 6Te tree )ersons ofte %ode"d "re (it tee be*"use tou "rt teTe#)'e of te 8'essed Trinity&6 "nd se (i'' )'"*e you on*e #oreunder te )rote*tion "nd *"re of %od.H"+e you be*o#e "n out*"st "nd been "**ursed by %odB Ten s"y toour L"dy& 68'essed "rt tou "bo+e"'' (o#en "nd "bo+e "'' n"tions by ty )urity "nd ferti'ity3 tou"st turned %od2s #"'edi*tions into b'essin$sfor us.6 Se (i'' b'ess you.Do you un$er for te bre"d of $r"*e "nd te bre"d of 'ifeB Dr"(ne"r to er (o bore te 'i+in$ 8re"d

(i* *"#e do(n fro# e"+en& "nd s"y to er& 68'essed be tefruit of ty (o#b& (o# tou "st *on*ei+ed(itout te s'i$test 'oss to ty +ir$inity& (o# tou didst*"rry (itout dis*o#fort "nd brou$t fort (itout)"in. 8'essed be 7esus (o redee#ed our sufferin$ (or'd (en (e(ere in te bond"$e of sin& (o "se"'ed te (or'd of its si*,ness& (o "s r"ised te de"d to'ife& brou$t o#e te b"nised& restored sinnersto $r"*e& "nd s"+ed #en fro# d"#n"tion. Witout doubt& your sou'(i'' be fi''ed (it te bre"d of $r"*e in tis'ife "nd of etern"' $'ory in te net. A#en.6


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o'iness& in ,ee)in$ (it tis $re"t di$nity.6Moter of %od& "nd our Moter& our Ad+o*"te "nd Medi"tri&Tre"surer "nd dis)enser of %od2s $r"*es&obt"in for us te )ro#)t for$i+eness of our sins "nd $r"nt t"t(e #"y be re*on*i'ed (it te di+ine #"1esty.6-r"y for us sinners& tou (o "rt "'("ys fi''ed (it *o#)"ssion

for tose in need& (o ne+er des)isesinners or turn te# "("y& for (itout te# you (ou'd ne+er "+ebeen Moter of te Redee#er.6-r"y for us no(& durin$ tis sort 'ife& so fr"u$t (it sorro("nd un*ert"inty3 no(& be*"use (e *"n besure of notin$ e*e)t te )resent #o#ent3 no( t"t (e "resurrounded "nd "tt"*,ed ni$t "nd d"y by)o(erfu' "nd rut'ess ene#ies.6And "t te our of our de"t& so terrib'e "nd fu'' of d"n$er&(en our stren$t is ("nin$ "nd our s)irits "resin,in$& "nd our sou's "nd bodies "re (orn out (it fe"r "nd)"in3 "t te our of our de"t (en te de+i' is

(or,in$ (it #i$t "nd #"in to ensn"re us "nd *"st us into)erdition3 "t t"t our (en our 'ot (i'' be de*idedfore+er "nd e+er& e"+en or e''.6Co#e to te e') of your )oor *i'dren& $ent'e Moter of )ity&Ad+o*"te "nd Refu$e of sinners& "t te ourof our de"t dri+e f"r fro# us our bitter ene#ies& te de+i's&our "**users& (ose fri$tfu' )resen*e fi''s us(it dre"d. Li$t our )"t trou$ te +"''ey of te s"do( ofde"t. Le"d us to ty Son2s 1ud$#ent/se"t "ndre#"in "t our side. Inter*ede for us "nd "s, ty Son to )"rdon us"nd re*ei+e us into te r"n,s of ty e'e*t inte re"'#s of e+er'"stin$ $'ory. A#en.6


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%od2s *re"tures. Te (or,s of our Lord "nd ofis b'essed Moter *"n ri$t'y be *"''ed #ysteries be*"use tey"re so fu'' of (onders& of "'' ,inds of)erfe*tions& "nd of dee) "nd sub'i#e truts& (i* te Ho'yS)irit re+e"'s to te u#b'e "nd si#)'e sou's (oonour tese #ysteries.

Te (or,s of 7esus "nd M"ry *"n "'so be *"''ed (onderfu' f'o(ers&but teir fr"$r"n*e "nd be"uty *"n on'ybe "))re*i"ted by tose (o "))ro"* te#& (o bre"te in teirfr"$r"n*e& "nd (o dis*o+er teir be"uty bydi'i$ent "nd serious #edit"tion.=! St. Do#ini* di+ided te 'i+es of our Lord "nd our L"dy intofifteen #ysteries& (i* st"nd for teir +irtues"nd teir #ost i#)ort"nt "*tions. Tese "re fifteen )i*tures(ose e+ery det"i' #ust ru'e "nd ins)ire our 'i+es.Tey "re fifteen f'"#in$ tor*es to $uide our ste)s trou$outtis e"rt'y 'ife3 fifteen sinin$ #irrors to e') us


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to ,no( 7esus "nd M"ry& to ,no( ourse'+es "nd to 'i$t te fireof teir 'o+e in our e"rts3 fifteen fiery furn"*esto *onsu#e us *o#)'ete'y in teir e"+en'y f'"#es.Our L"dy t"u$t S"int Do#ini* tis e*e''ent #etod of )r"yin$"nd ordered i# to )re"* it f"r "nd (ideso "s to re"(",en te fer+our of Cristi"ns "nd to re+i+e in

teir e"rts " 'o+e for our 8'essed Lord. Se "'sot"u$t it to 8'essed A'"n de '" Ro*e "nd s"id to i# in "+ision& 6Wen )eo)'e s"y !"bet3 te tird& te N"ti+ity of 7esus Crist3 tefourt& te -resent"tion of te Ci'd 7esus in te Te#)'e "nd te)urifi*"tion of te 8'essed Vir$in3 te fift& teFindin$ of 7esus in te Te#)'e "#on$ te do*tors.Tese "re *"''ed te 7oyfu' Mysteries be*"use of te 1oy (i*tey $"+e to te (o'e uni+erse. Our L"dy"nd te "n$e's (ere o+er(e'#ed (it 1oy te #o#ent te Son of%od be*"#e in*"rn"te. S"int E'i>"bet "ndSt. 7on te 8")tist (ere fi''ed (it 1oy by te +isit of 7esus"nd M"ry. He"+en "nd e"rt re1oi*ed "t te birt ofte S"+iour. Ho'y Si#eon fe't $re"t *onso'"tion "nd ("s fi''ed(it 1oy (en e too, te o'y *i'd into is"r#s. Te do*tors (ere 'ost in "d#ir"tion "nd (onder#ent "t tere)'ies (i* 7esus $"+e3 "nd (o *ou'de)ress te 1oy of M"ry "nd 7ose) (en tey found 7esus "ftertree d"ys2 "bsen*eB=: Te se*ond )"rt of te Ros"ry is "'so *o#)osed of fi+e#ysteries& (i* "re *"''ed te Sorro(fu'Mysteries be*"use tey so( us our Lord (ei$ed do(n (its"dness& *o+ered (it (ounds& '"den (itinsu'ts& sufferin$s "nd tor#ents.Te first of tese #ysteries is our Lord2s )r"yer "nd is A$ony

in te %"rden of O'i+es3 te se*ond& isS*our$in$3 te tird& is bein$ Cro(ned (it torns3 te fourt&is C"rryin$ of te Cross3 te fift& isCru*ifiion "nd de"t on C"'+"ry.=; Te tird )"rt of te Ros"ry *ont"ins fi+e #ore #ysteries&(i* "re *"''ed te %'orious Mysteries&be*"use (en (e s"y te# (e #edit"te on 7esus "nd M"ry in teirtriu#) "nd $'ory. Te first is teResurre*tion of 7esus3 te se*ond& is As*ension into e"+en3 te


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tird& te Des*ent of te Ho'y S)irit u)onte ")ost'es3 te fourt& our L"dy2s Assu#)tion in $'ory3 tefift& er Coron"tion.Su* "re te fifteen fr"$r"nt f'o(ers of te #ysti*"' Rose/ tree&on (i* de+out sou's 'in$er& 'i,edis*ernin$ bees& to $"ter teir ne*t"r "nd #",e te oney of "

so'id de+otion.T(enty/se*ond RoseTe Medit"tion of te Mysteries #",es us rese#b'e 7esus=< Te *ief *on*ern of te Cristi"n sou'd be to tend to)erfe*tion. 68e f"itfu' i#it"tors of %od& "s is(e''/be'o+ed *i'dren&6 te $re"t A)ost'e te''s us. Tisob'i$"tion is in*'uded in te etern"' de*ree of our)redestin"tion& "s te one "nd on'y #e"ns )res*ribed by %od to"tt"in e+er'"stin$ $'ory.S"int %re$ory of Nyss" #",es " de'i$tfu' *o#)"rison (en e s"yst"t (e "re "'' "rtists "nd t"t oursou's "re b'"n, *"n+"sses (i* (e "+e to fi'' in. Te *o'ours

(i* (e use "re te Cristi"n +irtues& "ndte ori$in"' (i* (e "+e to *o)y is 7esus Crist& te )erfe*t'i+in$ i#"$e of %od te F"ter. 7ust "s " )"inter(o ("nts to do " 'ife/'i,e )ortr"it )'"*es te #ode' before iseyes "nd 'oo,s "t it before #",in$ e"* stro,e&so te Cristi"n #ust "'("ys "+e before is eyes te 'ife "nd+irtues of 7esus Crist& so "s ne+er to s"y&tin, or do "nytin$ (i* is not in *onfor#ity (it is #ode'.== It ("s be*"use our L"dy ("nted to e') us in te $re"t t"s, of(or,in$ out our s"'+"tion t"t se orderedS"int Do#ini* to te"* te f"itfu' to #edit"te u)on te s"*red#ysteries of te 'ife of 7esus Crist. Se didtis& not on'y t"t tey #i$t "dore "nd $'orify i#& but *ief'yt"t tey #i$t )"ttern teir 'i+es "nd "*tions on


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is +irtues.Ci'dren *o)y teir )"rents trou$ ("t*in$ te# "nd t"',in$ tote#& "nd tey 'e"rn teir o(n '"n$u"$etrou$ e"rin$ te# s)e",. An "))renti*e 'e"rns is tr"detrou$ ("t*in$ is #"ster "t (or,3 in te s"#e("y te f"itfu' #e#bers of te Confr"ternity of te Ho'y Ros"ry

*"n be*o#e 'i,e teir di+ine M"ster if teyre+erent'y study "nd i#it"te te +irtues of 7esus (i* "re so(nin te fifteen #ysteries of is 'ife. Tey *"ndo tis (it te e') of is $r"*e "nd trou$ te inter*essionof is b'essed Moter.=? Lon$ "$o& Moses ("s ins)ired by %od to *o##"nd te 7e(is)eo)'e ne+er to for$et te $r"*es (i*"d been so(ered u)on te#. Te Son of %od "s "'' te #orere"son to *o##"nd us to en$r"+e te#ysteries of is 'ife& )"ssion "nd $'ory u)on our e"rts "nd to"+e te# "'("ys before our eyes& sin*e e"*#ystery re#inds us of is $oodness to us in so#e s)e*i"' ("y "nd

it is by tese #ysteries t"t e "s so(nus is o+er(e'#in$ 'o+e "nd desire for our s"'+"tion. 6O& "''you (o )"ss by& )"use " (i'e&6 e s"ys& 6"ndsee if tere "s e+er been "ny sorro( 'i,e to te sorro( I "+eendured for 'o+e of you. 8e #indfu' of #y)o+erty "nd u#i'i"tions3 tin, of te $"'' "nd (or#(ood I too,for you in #y bitter )"ssion.6Tese (ords "nd #"ny oters (i* *ou'd be $i+en ere sou'd be#ore t"n enou$ to *on+in*e us t"t(e #ust not on'y s"y te Ros"ry (it our 'i)s in onour of 7esus"nd M"ry& but "'so #edit"te u)on te s"*red#ysteries (i'e (e "re s"yin$ it.T(enty/tird RoseTe Ros"ry is " Me#ori"' of te Life "nd De"t of 7esus=G 7esus Crist& te di+ine s)ouse of our sou's "nd our +ery de"rfriend& (ises us to re#e#ber is$oodness to us "nd to )ri>e is $ifts "bo+e "'' e'se. Wene+er (e#edit"te de+out'y "nd 'o+in$'y u)on tes"*red #ysteries of te Ros"ry& e re*ei+es "n "dded 1oy& "s "'sodo our L"dy "nd "'' te s"ints in e"+en.His $ifts "re te #ost outst"ndin$ resu'ts of is 'o+e for us "ndte ri*est )resents e *ou'd )ossib'y $i+e us&"nd it is by +irtue of su* )resents t"t te 8'essed Vir$inerse'f "nd "'' te s"ints "re $'orified in e"+en.One d"y 8'essed An$e'" of Fo'i$no be$$ed our Lord to 'et er ,no(

by (i* re'i$ious eer*ise se *ou'donour i# best. He "))e"red to er n"i'ed to is *ross "nd s"id&6My d"u$ter& 'oo, "t #y (ounds.6 Se tenre"'i>ed t"t notin$ )'e"ses our de"r Lord #ore t"n #edit"tin$u)on is sufferin$s. Ten e so(ed er te(ounds on is e"d "nd re+e"'ed sti'' oter sufferin$s "nd s"idto er& 6I "+e suffered "'' tis for yours"'+"tion. W"t *"n you e+er do to return #y 'o+e for youB6=@ Te o'y s"*rifi*e of te M"ss $i+es infinite onour to te


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#ost 8'essed Trinity be*"use it re)resents te)"ssion of 7esus Crist "nd be*"use trou$ te M"ss (e offer to%od te #erits of our Lord2s obedien*e& ofis sufferin$s& "nd of is )re*ious b'ood. A'' te e"+en'y *ourt"'so re*ei+e "n "dded 1oy fro# te M"ss.Se+er"' do*tors of te Cur*& in*'udin$ St. To#"s& te'' us

t"t& for te s"#e re"son& "'' te b'essed ine"+en re1oi*e in te *o##union of te f"itfu' be*"use te8'essed S"*r"#ent is " #e#ori"' of te )"ssion"nd de"t of 7esus Crist& "nd t"t by #e"ns of it #en s"re inits fruits "nd (or, out teir s"'+"tion.No( te o'y Ros"ry& re*ited (it te #edit"tion on te s"*red#ysteries& is " s"*rifi*e of )r"ise to %od forte $re"t $ift of our rede#)tion "nd " o'y re#inder of tesufferin$s& de"t "nd $'ory of 7esus Crist. It isterefore true t"t te Ros"ry $i+es $'ory "nd "dded 1oy to ourLord& our L"dy "nd "'' te b'essed& be*"usetey *"nnot desire "nytin$ $re"ter& for te s",e of our etern"'

"))iness& t"n to see us en$"$ed in ")r"*ti*e (i* is so $'orious for our Lord "nd so s"'ut"ry forourse'+es.? Te %os)e' te"*es us t"t " sinner (o is *on+erted "nd (odoes )en"n*e $i+es 1oy to "'' te "n$e's. Ifte re)ent"n*e "nd *on+ersion of one sinner is enou$ to #",e te"n$e's re1oi*e& o( $re"t #ust be te"))iness "nd 1ubi'"tion of te (o'e e"+en'y *ourt "nd ("t$'ory for our 8'essed Lord i#se'f to see usere on e"rt #edit"tin$ de+out'y "nd 'o+in$'y on isu#i'i"tions "nd tor#ents "nd on is *rue' "nd s"#efu'de"t0 Is tere "nytin$ t"t *ou'd tou* our e"rts #ore sure'y"nd brin$ us to sin*ere re)ent"n*eBA Cristi"n (o does not #edit"te on te #ysteries of te Ros"ryis +ery un$r"tefu' to our Lord "nd so(so( 'itt'e e *"res for "'' t"t our di+ine S"+iour "s sufferedto s"+e te (or'd. Tis "ttitude see#s to so(t"t e ,no(s 'itt'e or notin$ of te 'ife of 7esus Crist& "ndt"t e "s ne+er t",en te troub'e to find out ("t


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e "s done "nd ("t e (ent trou$ in order to s"+e us. ACristi"n of t"t ,ind ou$t to fe"r t"t& not"+in$ ,no(n 7esus Crist or "+in$ )ut i# out of is #ind&7esus (i'' re1e*t i# on te d"y of 1ud$#ent (itte re)ro"*& 6I te'' you so'e#n'y& I do not ,no( you.6Let us #edit"te& ten& on te 'ife "nd sufferin$s of our S"+iour

by #e"ns of te o'y Ros"ry3 'et us 'e"rn to,no( i# (e'' "nd to be $r"tefu' for "'' is b'essin$s& so t"t&on te d"y of 7ud$#ent& e #"y nu#ber us"#on$ is *i'dren "nd is friends.T(enty/fourt RoseMedit"tion on te Mysteries of te Ros"ry is " $re"t #e"ns of)erfe*tion?! Te s"ints #"de our Lord2s 'ife te )rin*i)"' ob1e*t of teirstudy3 tey #edit"ted on is +irtues "nd issufferin$s& "nd in tis ("y "rri+ed "t Cristi"n )erfe*tion.S"int 8ern"rd be$"n (it tis #edit"tion "nd e "'("ys ,e)t itu). 6At te +ery be$innin$ of #y *on+ersion&6

e s"id& 6I #"de " bou9uet of #yrr f"sioned fro# te sorro(s of#y S"+iour. I )'"*ed tis bou9uet u)on #ye"rt& tin,in$ of te '"ses& te torns "nd te n"i's of is)"ssion. I "))'ied #y (o'e #ind to te #edit"tionon tese #ysteries e+ery d"y.6Tis ("s "'so te )r"*ti*e of te o'y #"rtyrs3 (e "d#ire o(tey triu#)ed o+er te #ost *rue'sufferin$s. Were *ou'd tis "d#ir"b'e *onst"n*y of te #"rtyrs*o#e fro#& s"ys S"int 8ern"rd& if not fro#te (ounds of 7esus Crist& on (i* tey #edit"ted sofre9uent'yB Were ("s te sou' of tese $enerous"t'etes (en teir b'ood $used fort "nd teir bodies (ere(r"*,ed (it *rue' tor#entsB Teir sou' ("s inte (ounds of Crist "nd tose (ounds #"de te# in+in*ib'e.6?4 Durin$ er (o'e 'ife& our S"+iour2s o'y Moter ("s o**u)iedin #edit"tin$ on te +irtues "nd tesufferin$s of er Son. Wen se e"rd te "n$e's sin$ teir y#nof 1oy "t is birt "nd s"( te se)erds"dore i# in te st"b'e& er e"rt ("s fi''ed (it (onder "nd se#edit"ted on "'' tese #"r+e's. Se*o#)"red te $re"tness of te Word in*"rn"te to te ("y eu#b'ed i#se'f in tis 'o('y f"sion3 te str"(of te *rib& to is trone in te e"rt of is F"ter3 te #i$tof %od& to te (e",ness of " *i'd3 is (isdo#& tois si#)'i*ity.

Our L"dy s"id to S"int 8rid$et one d"y& 6Wene+er I used to*onte#)'"te te be"uty& #odesty& "nd(isdo# of #y Son& #y e"rt ("s fi''ed (it 1oy3 "nd (ene+er I*onsidered is "nds "nd feet (i* (ou'd be)ier*ed (it *rue' n"i's& I (e)t bitter'y "nd #y e"rt ("s rent(it sorro( "nd )"in.6?: After our Lord2s As*ension& our 8'essed L"dy s)ent te rest ofer 'ife +isitin$ te )'"*es t"t "d been"''o(ed by is )resen*e "nd by is sufferin$s. Tere& se


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#edit"ted on is bound'ess 'o+e "nd on is terrib'e)"ssion.S"int M"ry M"$d"'ene *ontinu"''y )erfor#ed te s"#e re'i$iouseer*ises durin$ te '"st tirty ye"rs of er'ife& (en se 'i+ed "t S"inte/8"u#e.S"int 7ero#e te''s us t"t tis ("s te de+otion of te f"itfu'

in te e"r'y *enturies of te Cur*. Fro# "''te *ountries of te (or'd tey *"#e to te Ho'y L"nd to en$r"+e#ore dee)'y on teir e"rts " $re"t 'o+e "ndre#e#br"n*e of te S"+iour of #"n,ind by seein$ te )'"*es "ndtin$s e "d #"de o'y by is birt& is(or,& is sufferin$s& "nd is de"t.?; A'' Cristi"ns "+e but one f"it "nd "dore one "nd te s"#e%od& "nd o)e for te s"#e "))iness ine"+en3 tey ,no( on'y one #edi"tor& (o is 7esus Crist3 "''#ust i#it"te teir di+ine #ode'& "nd in order todo tis tey #ust #edit"te on te #ysteries of is 'ife& of is+irtues "nd of is $'ory.

It is " $re"t #ist",e to tin, t"t on'y )riests "nd re'i$ious"nd tose (o "+e (itdr"(n fro# te tur#oi'of te (or'd "re su))osed to #edit"te u)on te truts of ourf"it "nd te #ysteries of te 'ife of Crist. If)riests "nd re'i$ious "+e "n ob'i$"tion to #edit"te on te $re"ttruts of our o'y re'i$ion in order to 'i+e u) toteir +o*"tion (orti'y& te s"#e ob'i$"tion is 1ust "s #u*in*u#bent on te '"ity& be*"use of te f"*t t"te+ery d"y tey #eet (it s)iritu"' d"n$ers (i* #i$t *"use te#to 'ose teir sou's. Terefore tey sou'd"r# te#se'+es (it te fre9uent #edit"tion on te 'ife& +irtues&"nd sufferin$s of our 8'essed Lord& (i* "re)resented to us in te fifteen #ysteries of te o'y Ros"ry.


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T(enty/fift RoseTe Ri*es of Ho'iness *ont"ined in te -r"yers "nd Medit"tionsof te Ros"ry?< Ne+er (i'' "nyone be "b'e to underst"nd te #"r+e''ous ri*esof s"n*tifi*"tion (i* "re *ont"ined in te)r"yers "nd #ysteries of te o'y Ros"ry. Tis #edit"tion on te

#ysteries of te 'ife "nd de"t of our Lord7esus Crist is te sour*e of te #ost (onderfu' fruits for tose(o #",e use of it.Tod"y )eo)'e ("nt tin$s t"t stri,e "nd #o+e te#& t"t 'e"+edee) i#)ressions on te sou'. No( "stere e+er been "nytin$ in te istory of te (or'd #ore #o+in$t"n te (onderfu' story of te 'ife& de"t& "nd$'ory of our S"+iour (i* is *ont"ined in te o'y Ros"ryB Inte fifteen t"b'e"u& te )rin*i)"' s*enes or#ysteries of is 'ife unfo'd before our eyes. Ho( *ou'd tere be"ny )r"yers #ore (onderfu' "nd sub'i#e t"nte Lord2s -r"yer "nd te A+e of te "n$e'B A'' our desires "nd

"'' our needs "re found e)ressed in tese t(o)r"yers.?= Te #edit"tion on te #ysteries "nd )r"yers of te Ros"ry iste e"siest of "'' )r"yers& be*"use tedi+ersity of te +irtues of our Lord "nd te different situ"tionsof is 'ife (i* (e study& refres "nd fortify our#ind in " (onderfu' ("y "nd e') us to "+oid distr"*tions. Forte 'e"rned& tese #ysteries "re te sour*e ofte #ost )rofound do*trine& (i'e si#)'e )eo)'e find in te# "#e"ns of instru*tion (e'' (itin teir re"*.We need to 'e"rn tis e"sy for# of #edit"tion before )ro$ressin$to te i$est st"te of *onte#)'"tion.T"t is te +ie( of S"int To#"s A9uin"s& "nd te "d+i*e t"t e$i+es (en e s"ys t"t& first of "''& one#ust )r"*ti*e on " b"tt'efie'd& "s it (ere& by "*9uirin$ "'' te+irtues of (i* (e "+e te )erfe*t #ode' in te#ysteries of te Ros"ry3 for& s"ys te 'e"rned C"1et"n& t"t iste ("y (e "rri+e "t " re"''y inti#"te union (it%od& sin*e (itout t"t union *onte#)'"tion is notin$ but "ni''usion (i* *"n 'e"d sou's "str"y.?? If on'y te I''u#inists or te uietists of tese d"ys "dfo''o(ed tis )ie*e of "d+i*e& tey (ou'd ne+er"+e f"''en so 'o( or *"used su* s*"nd"'s "#on$ s)iritu"')eo)'e. To tin, t"t it is )ossib'e to s"y )r"yerst"t "re finer "nd #ore be"utifu' t"n te Our F"ter "nd te

H"i' M"ry is to f"'' " )rey to " str"n$e i''usion ofte de+i'& for tese e"+en'y )r"yers "re te su))ort& testren$t "nd te s"fe$u"rd of our sou's.I "d#it it is not "'("ys ne*ess"ry to s"y te# "s +o*"' )r"yers"nd t"t interior )r"yer is& in " sense& #ore)erfe*t t"n +o*"'. 8ut be'ie+e #e& it is re"''y d"n$erous& notto s"y f"t"'& to $i+e u) s"yin$ te Ros"ry of youro(n "**ord under te )retet of see,in$ " #ore )erfe*t union (it%od. So#eti#es " sou' t"t is )roud in "


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subt'e ("y "nd (o #"y "+e done e+erytin$ t"t e *"n dointerior'y to rise to te sub'i#e ei$ts of*onte#)'"tion t"t te s"ints "+e re"*ed #"y be de'uded by tenoond"y de+i' into $i+in$ u) is for#erde+otions (i* "re $ood enou$ for ordin"ry sou's. He turns "de"f e"r to te )r"yers "nd te $reetin$ of "n

"n$e' "nd e+en to te )r"yer (i* %od "s *o#)osed& )ut into)r"*ti*e& "nd *o##"nded5 Tus s"'' you)r"y5 Our F"ter. H"+in$ re"*ed tis )oint& su* " sou' driftsfro# i''usion to i''usion& "nd f"''s fro# )re*i)i*eto )re*i)i*e.?G 8e'ie+e #e& de"r broter of te Ros"ry Confr"ternity& if you$enuine'y (is to "tt"in " i$ de$ree of)r"yer in "'' onesty "nd (itout f"''in$ into te i''usions ofte de+i' so *o##on (it tose (o )r"*ti*e#ent"' )r"yer& s"y te (o'e Ros"ry e+ery d"y& or "t 'e"st fi+ede*"des of it.If you "+e "'re"dy "tt"ined& by te $r"*e of %od& " i$ de$ree

of )r"yer& ,ee) u) te )r"*ti*e of s"yin$ teo'y Ros"ry if you (is to re#"in in t"t st"te "nd by it to $ro(in u#i'ity. For ne+er (i'' "nyone (o s"ys isRos"ry e+ery d"y be*o#e " for#"' ereti* or be 'ed "str"y by tede+i'. Tis is " st"te#ent (i* I (ou'd si$n(it #y b'ood.On te oter "nd& if %od in is infinite #er*y dr"(s you toi#se'f "s for*ib'y "s e did so#e of te s"ints(i'e s"yin$ te Ros"ry& #",e yourse'f )"ssi+e in is "nds "nd'et yourse'f be dr"(n to("rds i#. Let %od(or, "nd )r"y in you "nd 'et i# s"y your Ros"ry in is ("y& "ndt"t (i'' be suffi*ient for te d"y.8ut if you "re sti'' in te st"te of "*ti+e *onte#)'"tion or teordin"ry )r"yer of 9uietude& of te )resen*e of%od& "ffe*ti+e )r"yer& you "+e e+en 'ess re"son for $i+in$ u)te Ros"ry. F"r fro# #",in$ you 'ose $round in#ent"' )r"yer or stuntin$ your s)iritu"' $ro(t& it (i'' be "(onderfu' e') to you. You (i'' find it " re"' 7"*ob2s'"dder (it fifteen run$s by (i* you (i'' $o fro# +irtue to+irtue "nd fro# 'i$t to 'i$t. Tus& (itout d"n$er ofbein$ #is'ed& you (i'' e"si'y "rri+e "t te fu''ness of te "$eof 7esus Crist.


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T(enty/sit Rose?@ W"te+er you do& do not be 'i,e "

St. Louis Marie de Montfort - The Secret of the Rosary

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Transcript of St. Louis Marie de Montfort - The Secret of the Rosary