Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
The Rosary is a way to travel with Mary, through the saving life of Christ. The Joyful Mysteries take us through Mary's pregnancy and Jesus' childhood. The Luminous Mysteries take us through the public ministry of Christ. With the Sorrowful Mysteries, we meditate on Christ's Passion and death. The Glorious Mysteries highlight Jesus' Resurection and Assension into Heaven.
God knows that we human beings can benefit from using all the senses in prayer. We say the prayers and meditate on the mysteries while keeping track on the beads or knots of the Rosary. All this has a wonderful calming influence on the spirit. Some people even say that if you fall asleep while praying the rosary, your guardian angel will finish saying it for you!
I saw a bumper sticker once that said,
Angry? Need a weapon? Pray the Rosary.
Every time I think of that, it takes away all negativity in my heart. Mary's spiritual gift was her "fiat"--her "yes" to God. She was the first Christian and the first to give her life to Christ no matter what it costs. She was the first to "Let go and let God."
I read the Padre Pio quote today while doing research for the post. Its amazing to me how powerful the rosary is. And how comforting.
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