I just don’t get it. From what I understand, the Church says that we don’t have to pray the Rosary, it’s well recommended but not mandatory. So why then did Mary make a strict issue about it at Fatima?
Our Blessed Mother has encouraged us to recite the Rosary every day because she is concerned about the eternal welfare of our souls. The Rosary is a powerful form of prayer through which we receive much helping grace in our spiritual battle against the serpent, Satan, and his offspring, the forces of darkness. Mary has interceded on our behalf ever since the wedding feast in Cana. Jesus performed his first miracle on the guests’ behalf and approached the cross on behalf of the human race by his mother’s solicitation. John is teaching us something very important about Mary, our spiritual mother and Mother of the Church. It would appear that Jesus wills we approach his mother and our Queen Mother when we want for more wine - his divine grace. What better way to petition Mary than by saying the Rosary?
So Adonijah continued, “Please ask King Solomon - he will not refuse you to give me Abishag for my wife.”
“Very well,” Bethsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”
When Bethsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, the king stood up to meet her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king’s mother, and she sat down at his right hand.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Matthew 2, 10-11
“I have one small request to make of you,” she said. “Do not refuse me.”
The King replied, “Make it, my mother; I will not refuse you.”
When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
John 2, 3
So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah.”
His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”
John 2, 5
1 Kings 2, 17-21
From the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Marialis Cultus’:
- …The Church’s norm of faith requires that her norm of prayer should everywhere blossom forth with regard to the Mother of Christ. Such devotion to the Blessed Vigin…is based on the singular dignity of Mary, “Mother of the Son of God, and therefore beloved daughter of the Father and Temple of the Holy Spirit - Mary, who, because of this extraordinary grace, is far greater than any other on earth or in heaven.” [119] This devotion takes into account the part she played at decisive moments in the history of salvation which her Son accomplished, and her holiness, already full at her Immaculate Conception yet increasing all the time as she obeyed the will of the Father and accepted the path of suffering…growing constantly in faith, hope, and charity. Devotion to Mary recalls too her mission and the special position she holds within the People of God, of which she is the pre-eminent member, a shining example and the loving Mother. it recalls her unceasing and efficacious intercession which…draws her close to those who ask her help…
- …Mary’s many-sided mission to the People of God is a supernatural reality which operates and bears fruit within the body of the Church…producing in the children the spiritual characteristics of the first-born Son. The Virgin’s maternal intercession, her exemplary holiness and the divine grace which is in her become for the human race a reason for divine hope.
The Blessed Virgin’s role as Mother leads the People of God to turn with filial confidence to her who is always ready to listen with a mother’s affection and efficacious assistance. Thus the People of God have learned to call on her as the Consoler of the afflicted, the Health of the sick, and the Refuge of sinners…For she, who is free from sin, leads her children to combat sin with energy and resoluteness. This liberation from sin and evil…is the necessary premise for any renewal of Christian living.
‘Marialis Cultus’ of His Holiness Pope Paul Vl, 2 February 1974
The wine we are in need of for a true Christian life comes in many vintages or forms of grace and virtue reflected in the Mysteries of the Rosary: Humilty, Charity, Poverty in Spirit, Purity, Apostolic Zeal, Repentance, Mortification, Moral Courage, Patience, Fortitude, Love of God, Faith, Hope, Wisdom, a Holy Death, Prudence, and Final Perseverance.
Pax vobiscum
Good Fella
