15 Promises

[KowboyM]

Where can one find the 15 Promises of the Rosary that Mary has promised to those who recite it daily? My current search has not come up with it. EWTN the other night flashed them one by one, but went too fast to copy them . Thanks to anyone who can help. God Bless.

 

[Randy_Carson]

The 15 Promises for those who recite the Rosary
**
**The following are the 15 promises of Mary to Christians who recite the rosary:
*(given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan)

*1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.

1. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
2. The rosary will be a powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
3. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
4. Those who recommend themselves to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
5. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
6. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
7. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
8. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
9. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
10. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
11. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
12. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
13. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son, Jesus Christ.
14. Devotion to my rosary is a great sign of predestination.

 

[Troy_Niems]

One thing really bothers me about these promises. They imply that the recitation of the rosary itself is what gives graces from Mary. We all know that all good things come from the Father. I can’t imagine that Mary’s status is enough for Christ to impute his righteousness upon us due to a devotion to his mother! I honestly don’t think Mary, in all her faithfullness and humility would desire to be any center of attention. I think it’s a misdirected hope.

I fully understand that the saints can, and want, to be used as a focusing lens for others to see God more clearly, but it’s deceptive to put promises into words in such a way as to imply a hope in anything other than Jesus Christ. We can share the saints’ testimonies with each other to glorify God, but lets remain focused on that Man on the Cross! It’s almost like she’s made into the fourth wheel of the Trinity! Lets be united in Christ!

Then again, the Rosary is Scripturally based. And Scripture does have the effect of building faith. So, my argument isn’t totally warranted. I’ve heard of Catholics in South America who idolize Mary and I don’t want that to be an issue for people who don’t fully understand.

Under Christ’s yoke, -Troy

 

[jmm08]

One thing really bothers me about these promises. They imply that the recitation of the rosary itself is what gives graces from Mary.

Troy Niems: Pope Paul VI “Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk of becoming a mechanical repitition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ: ‘In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words’ (Matt 6:7). By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are disclosed”
– Apostolic Exhortation* Marialis Cultus* (Feb 2, 1974)

The above quote and much information about the Holy Rosary is in Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae”

It is not easy to pray the Rosary. Each of us may have quite a different story on how we began. Just as when a baby learns to walk, there are many mistakes. It is good to be able to pray the Rosary together with others, especially at Church.

My own prayers are not so good. But because I joined the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, my prayers are joined with the prayers of all others in the Confraternity. I consider that it is like when Jesus fed the 5,000. We all are like those in the 5,000 and we have many needs. Our own prayers by themselves are often hardly sufficient to meet our needs. But this miracle of feeding the 5,000 continues.

1. Praying with others and specifically joining our prayers to place in Mary’s hands
2. Mary and her spouse the Holy Spirit present our perfected prayers before Jesus
3. Jesus blesses our prayers and multiplies our gifts back to us in a miraculous manner that greatly meets our needs (although we may not often see or understand)

I’m a fairly recent convert to Roman Catholicism and to praying the Rosary myself, so if my reply should be corrected I hope it will be.

Presently my only “problem” (not a problem) is that the 15 promises are true. Regarding promise #11, I often figure it is safest to pray the Hail Mary in any situation and fully entrust the problem and resolution to Mary.

I think even a slight devotion to Mary or to the Rosary will grow as long as one also truthfully wants to amend the wrongs in their life.

And if this is not yet true, it may be sufficient to tell Mary that you are willing to be made willing to become more like Jesus.

I recommend Fr Benedict Groeschel’s book “The Rosary – Chain of Hope” (Ignatius Press). There is excellent writing about each Mystery of the Rosary. And it includes Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae”.

Otherwise, Apostolic Letters, etc are freely available at the Vatican web site.

 

[Fidelis]

One thing really bothers me about these promises. They imply that the recitation of the rosary itself is what gives graces from Mary. We all know that all good things come from the Father. I can’t imagine that Mary’s status is enough for Christ to impute his righteousness upon us due to a devotion to his mother!

(A small reminder here: Catholics do not believe in salvation from imputed righteousness, but from infused. Just wanted to make sure that was clear )

If you read these promises carefully, you will see that no guarantee of salvation is given. The only statement that comes close is pointedly qualified:

6…if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

The rest of the promises merely promises the granting of various graces, which we all know God may grant by whatever means he sees fit.

I honestly don’t think Mary, in all her faithfullness and humility would desire to be any center of attention.

Nor would any true child of God. But we would all be eager to serve God in bringing sinners to repentance in any way he desired.

I think it’s a misdirected hope.

Prayers that are ultimately directed to God are never a misdirected hope.

I fully understand that the saints can, and want, to be used as a focusing lens for others to see God more clearly, but it’s deceptive to put promises into words in such a way as to imply a hope in anything other than Jesus Christ.

As you know, prayers to Mary and the saints are all ultimately directed to God. You seem to be fairly knowledable about Catholic teaching, so I won’t bore you with the details, but if you need a refresher, go here:

catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

We can share the saints’ testimonies with each other to glorify God, but lets remain focused on that Man on the Cross! It’s almost like she’s made into the fourth wheel of the Trinity! Lets be united in Christ!

We can stay focused on Jesus without denying Mary and the special role she played and continues to play in the life of Christians. I think the idea that God is diminished by any attention played to his beloved children is a false dichotomy. If I griped because my kids were getting loving attention from thier siblings instead of directing every shred of it to me, what kind of father would I be?

Then again, the Rosary is Scripturally based. And Scripture does have the effect of building faith. So, my argument isn’t totally warranted. ** I’ve heard of Catholics in South America who idolize Mary **and I don’t want that to be an issue for people who don’t fully understand.

If there are Catholics who literally “idolize” Mary, then they are wrong and in ignorance of their Faith. However, what some see as idolizing in one culture, may be simple devotion and love in another. What direct evidence do you have that they are worshipping Mary as an idol? To claim to look into a person’s heart and know what they are thinking, especially based on second hand reports, would be highly presumptive.

 

[Epsilon_Omega]

It was stated above kind of, but the main problem I think I have with it is that Mary, I love her dearly, and I know she will help me, isn’t the one who decides we go to heaven. By praying the rosary, some catholics try to earn there way into heaven which totally wrong.

I also pray a Hail Mary when I am afraid or anything. It just pops into my head.

Mary for President (too bad)

 

[djamu]

I can’t recite the rosary, I always fall asleep. no promises for me. pooty.

 

[jmm08]

If you read these promises carefully, you will see that no guarantee of salvation is given.

Respectfully, I disagree.

#13) I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

If one is the recipient of such intercession at the hour of death, I doubt that they will receive any less than this gift of grace: the gift of perfect contrition. Writings of saints indicate circumstances where Mary has sometimes given this gift to sinners in their final moment of life. Remember that the entire celestial court includes Mary and she is fully capable of giving such a gift of grace. And if Mary so much as makes a moan or a sigh it has more effect than all the prayers of all the other saints put together. Jesus will not refuse a request that His Mother Mary makes. And all gifts of grace come to us through Mary.

Of course, a stay in purgatory is still possible in such a circumstance. And to be a real “advocate of the Rosary” may include at least some of the following characteristics:
a) Regularly praying the Rosary
b) Giving personal testimony of a genuinely changed life, at least in part as a result of praying the Rosary.
c) Not bringing scandal to the Rosary
d) Providing assistance to others who also promote the Rosary (such as Dominican missionaries)
e) Encouraging (or praying for) those who often lead public recitation of the Rosary
f) Being a good example to others during public recitations of the Rosary
g) If anyone can thing of other ways to advocate the Rosary, please reply and add to this list.

And I suppose that there are others in the 15 promises (which if they are properly earned) are inconsistent with the idea that such a soul would be eternally damned.

In short, I disagree, but would like to learn otherwise if I am incorrect.

In summary, my opinion is that praying the Rosary is a wonderful thing. And that obtaining these 15 promises is a very worthwhile thing to do. The merit one may earn by praying the Rosary is of eternal value, and therefore it is beyond comparison to temporal things.

 

[Fidelis]

Respectfully, I disagree.

#13) I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

If one is the recipient of such intercession at the hour of death, I doubt that they will receive any less than this gift of grace: the gift of perfect contrition.

I, in turn, respectfully disagree. One must take all these promises together, not in isolation from each other. Promise #6 clearly makes the qualification that we must lead a just life. That means we must avoid mortal sin, or if we fall into it, must sincerely repent, confess our sins sacramentally, and do the prescribed penance, all per the clear teaching of the Church.

We can have Mary and all the angels and saints praying for us, but if we exercise our free will to deliberately persist in mortal sin, and die in final impenitence as a result, we cannot be saved. Of course all these prayers will give us graces to avoid this, but in the end we still have free will.

 

[CRW]

One thing really bothers me about these promises. They imply that the recitation of the rosary itself is what gives graces from Mary. We all know that all good things come from the Father. I can’t imagine that Mary’s status is enough for Christ to impute his righteousness upon us due to a devotion to his mother! I honestly don’t think Mary, in all her faithfullness and humility would desire to be any center of attention. I think it’s a misdirected hope.

I fully understand that the saints can, and want, to be used as a focusing lens for others to see God more clearly, but it’s deceptive to put promises into words in such a way as to imply a hope in anything other than Jesus Christ. We can share the saints’ testimonies with each other to glorify God, but lets remain focused on that Man on the Cross! It’s almost like she’s made into the fourth wheel of the Trinity! Lets be united in Christ!

Then again, the Rosary is Scripturally based. And Scripture does have the effect of building faith. So, my argument isn’t totally warranted. I’ve heard of Catholics in South America who idolize Mary and I don’t want that to be an issue for people who don’t fully understand.

Under Christ’s yoke, -Troy

Mary is designated mediatrix of all graces in a double sense:

1. Mary gave the Redeemer, the Source of all graces, to the world, and in this way she is the channel of all graces. (Sent. certa.)
2. Since Mary’s Assumption into Heaven no grace is conferrred on man without her actual intercessory co-operation. (Sent. pia et probabilis).

Source: The Doctrine of God the Redemer, page 212, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma.

 

[Troy_Niems]

1. Mary gave the Redeemer, the Source of all graces, to the world, and in this way she is the channel of all graces. (Sent. certa.)

I’m pretty sure John 3:16 says differently.

1. Since Mary’s Assumption into Heaven no grace is conferrred on man without her actual intercessory co-operation. (Sent. pia et probabilis).

why?

I apologize for the lateness of this response…

 

[CRW]

I’m pretty sure John 3:16 says differently.

why?

I apologize for the lateness of this response…

The Fathers contrast Mary’s obedience at the Annunication woith "Eve’s dosobedience. Mary by her obedience became the cause of the Salvation - she is the Mother of God. As Mother of God, Blessed Mother has the highest position of al saints.

Cecil

 

[Mordocai]

When I was younger, my dad would always tell me “Be good to mama”
Treat her with respect, love her, help her around the house.
The Father asks the same thing of us now. “Be good to mama.”
Mary loves it when we pray the Rosary. And so we do it to please Her (and consequently, the Father)
Mary has repeatedly asked through visions (fatima, lourdes etc) to pray the Rosary daily.
That is enough for me.
Mama said so.

 

[xukeith]

Please explain #15. “Devotion to Mary is a great sign of predestination”
How so?
Isn’t predestination a belief that despite free will, a desination is planned out for each of us?

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

The best way to explain what is meant by it is to quote the catechism:

600 To God, all moments of time are present in their immediacy. When therefore he establishes his eternal plan of “predestination”, he includes in it each person’s free response to his grace: "In this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place."395 For the sake of accomplishing his plan of salvation, God permitted the acts that flowed from their blindness.396

It seems to me that devotion to the rosary is a sign that we are responding to our free choice to love God and responding to the grace bestowed upon us. It is a part of God’s plan for us to embrace Marian devotion. By reciting the rosary, we are following God’s plan of salvation. It is important to distinguish the difference between predestination and predermination. Predestination allows for a choice whereas predetermination does not. I hope that helps.

 

[xukeith]

"In this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place."395 For the sake of accomplishing his plan of salvation, God permitted the acts that flowed from their blindness.396

So God allows things so His predestination follows through. Can anything stop God’s predestination?
Does the devil himself try and screw with God’s predestination? Does not God know what the devil will try and where he will succeed?

Maybe I am just not allowing myself to accept the fact that God knows all future happenings and He knows what I will do.
But won’t my free will mess up stuff? God knows where I will not follow him, but does he allow for me to change God’s predestination by doing God and surrendering to God’s will?
For example, lets say God knows next month I will have an affair. But through my prayers, intercessions, and praying to do God’s will, I don’t have the affair…did God know that I was not going to fall into sin?

 

[AJV]

One thing really bothers me about these promises. They imply that the recitation of the rosary itself is what gives graces from Mary. We all know that all good things come from the Father. I can’t imagine that Mary’s status is enough for Christ to impute his righteousness upon us due to a devotion to his mother! I honestly don’t think Mary, in all her faithfullness and humility would desire to be any center of attention. I think it’s a misdirected hope.

FWIW, it is debatable whether these promises were actually given anyways. One of the things is that, like the promises to of the Sacred Heart, especially with the Internet nowadays, things are widely spread and sometimes it is difficult to ascertain the source and the truthfulness. Sometimes they are garnered form the writings or sayings of the saints and then put in the mouth of our Lord or our lady.

P.S. Alanus de Rupe is not a formal beatus.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Can anything stop God’s predestination?

No.

xukeith:

Does the devil himself try and screw with God’s predestination?

Yes.

xukeith:

Does not God know what the devil will try and where he will succeed?

Yes.

xukeith:

But won’t my free will mess up stuff?

Yes, it will mess stuff up, but it can’t thwart God’s predestined plans.

xukeith:

God knows where I will not follow him, but does he allow for me to change God’s predestination by doing good and surrendering to God’s will?

From my perspective, God’s plan will proceed with or without us. That’s the choice that is before us.

xukeith:

For example, lets say God knows next month I will have an affair. But through my prayers, intercessions, and praying to do God’s will, I don’t have the affair…did God know that I was not going to fall into sin?

Since God knows everything, He will know what free choice you will make. He did not however chose what you decided to do.

It’s a pretty complicated thing that makes my head spin if I think too much on it. Unfortunately for us, we creatures are limited to our time/space paradigm.

 

[xukeith]

Thanks Stylteralmaldo,
I was getting a headache and was bewildered about the whole topic.
Thanks for step-by-step responding to my post.
Am I predesined to enter Heaven/Hell? Since God’s predestination wins out, is this why by doing man’s will good things come out of bad situations because it eventually will lead to God’s predestination?

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Am I predestined to enter Heaven/Hell?

God does not pre-decide who is going to Heaven and who is going to Hell. Although, He knows who will go to Heaven and who will go to Hell.

xukeith:

Since God’s predestination wins out, is this why by doing man’s will good things come out of bad situations because it eventually will lead to God’s predestination?

I think you’re on the right track.