Our Mother's Heart - described by Sister Lucia

[MariaChristi]

Thanks dear sister MariaChristi, Yes, it’s wonderful how we are all praying for one another throughout the world, as we say our daily Rosaries. It’s a good reminder.

Pope Leo 13 calls the Rosary Confraternity the “army of prayer”:

8. Since, as We have said, public prayers are much more excellent and more efficacious than private ones, so ecclesiastical writers have given to the Rosary Sodality the title of “the army of prayer, enrolled by St. Dominic, under the banner of the Mother of God,” - of her, whom sacred literature and the history of the Church salute as the conqueror of the Evil One and of all errors. The Rosary unites together all who join the Sodality in a common bond of paternal or military comradeship; so that a mighty host is thereby formed, duly marshalled and arrayed, to repel the assaults of the enemy, both from within and without. Wherefore may the members of this pious society take to themselves the words of St. Cyprian: “Our prayer is public and in common; and when we pray, we pray not for one, but for the whole people, for we, the entire people, are one” (De Orat. Domin.). The history of the Church bears testimony to the power and efficacy of this form of prayer, recording as it does the rout of the Turkish forces at the naval battle of Lepanto, and the victories gained over the same in the last century at Temesvar in Hungary and in the island of Corfu. Our predecessor, Gregory XIII., in order to perpetuate the memory of the first-named victory, established the feast of Our Lady of Victories, which later on Clement XI. distinguished by the title of Rosary Sunday and commanded to be celebrated throughout the universal Church.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm

Dear Brother Pat,

As I read the excerpt above, particularly the word “army” – I could not help but think of the “Legion of Mary” founded in 1921, which Venerable Fulton Sheen said “anticipated the Vatican Council”. The Legion’s Founder, Servant of God Frank Duff, formed the Legion on the Model of the Roman Legion, possibly the most successful army in history conquering the known world of its time. The Legion of Mary seeks to “conquer the world” not by the force of arms but by prayer and good works. The Auxiliary Members have only one requirement: Prayer. They pray a daily Rosary and a small leaflet of Legion Prayers ( 3 to 5 minutes to pray this leaflet).

Active Members meet weekly to pray the Rosary, listen to Spiritual reading and a talk by their Spiritual Director, to discuss their assigned weekly spiritual works of mercy, mutually supporting and helping one another to grow in holiness and in sharing Jesus with others as Mary did on this earth. At the first Legion Congress, a gathering of all the Active Legion of Mary Members in SC, held recently, the keynote Speaker said he believed the Legion was truly living as St. Louis de Montfort encouraged persons to live: totally consecrated to Jesus through Mary.

Popes since Pope Leo XIII have praised the Legion – most notablely Pope St. John Paul II and Pope St. John XXIII who said: “The Legion of Mary presents the true face of the Catholic Church.” Priests and Laity work together; men women children, religious – the entire Church is included in the Legion Apostolate reaching out to all who have yet to know and follow Jesus. We are in, perhaps, the greatest of all Spiritual Battles agains evil in our own day. May Our Lady of Victories intercede for all God’s children worldwide.

 

[patricius79]

Dear Brother Pat,

As I read the excerpt above, particularly the word “army” – I could not help but think of the “Legion of Mary” founded in 1921, which Venerable Fulton Sheen said “anticipated the Vatican Council”. The Legion’s Founder, Servant of God Frank Duff, formed the Legion on the Model of the Roman Legion, possibly the most successful army in history conquering the known world of its time. The Legion of Mary seeks to “conquer the world” not by the force of arms but by prayer and good works. The Auxiliary Members have only one requirement: Prayer. They pray a daily Rosary and a small leaflet of Legion Prayers ( 3 to 5 minutes to pray this leaflet).

Active Members meet weekly to pray the Rosary, listen to Spiritual reading and a talk by their Spiritual Director, to discuss their assigned weekly spiritual works of mercy, mutually supporting and helping one another to grow in holiness and in sharing Jesus with others as Mary did on this earth. At the first Legion Congress, a gathering of all the Active Legion of Mary Members in SC, held recently, the keynote Speaker said he believed the Legion was truly living as St. Louis de Montfort encouraged persons to live: totally consecrated to Jesus through Mary.

Popes since Pope Leo XIII have praised the Legion – most notablely Pope St. John Paul II and Pope St. John XXIII who said: “The Legion of Mary presents the true face of the Catholic Church.” Priests and Laity work together; men women children, religious – the entire Church is included in the Legion Apostolate reaching out to all who have yet to know and follow Jesus. We are in, perhaps, the greatest of all Spiritual Battles agains evil in our own day. May Our Lady of Victories intercede for all God’s children worldwide.

Thanks MariaChristi. Yes, I hope that the Legion of Mary continues to grow, along with the Rosary Confraternity and the Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts.

I agree that we are in the greatest of spiritual battles. I heard that Leo 13 had a vision of the future of the church which made his knees buckle. Perhaps he saw our days, when there are so many spiritual catastrophes in the Church–such as so few people going to confession, acceptance of grave immorality like contraception, heresy, greed, pride–and we seem afraid of addressing it.

We need Mary’s help, the help of her who breathes only love and mercy.

Pope Leo 13 continues:

9. From the fact that this warfare of prayer is “enrolled under the name of the Mother of God,” fresh efficacy and fresh honour are thereby added to it. Hence the frequent repetition in the Rosary of the “Hail Mary” after each “Our Father.”…[This] especially moves God, and wins His mercy for us. We are taught by the Catholic faith that we may pray not only to God himself, but also to the Blessed in heaven (Conc. Trid. Sess. xxv.)…we pray to holy angels and men, not that God may learn our petition through them, but that by their prayers and merits our prayers may be efficacious. Wherefore, it is said in the Apocalypse (viii., 4): “The smoke of the incense of the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel” (Summa Theol. 2a 2ae, q. Ixxxiii. a. iv.). Now, of all the blessed in heaven, who can compare with the august Mother of God in obtaining grace? Who seeth more clearly in the Eternal Word what troubles oppress us, what are our needs? Who is allowed more power in moving God? Who can compare with her in maternal affection? We do not pray to the Blessed in the same way as to God; for we ask the Holy Trinity to have mercy on us, but we ask all the Saints to pray for us (Ibid.). Yet our manner of praying to the Blessed Virgin has something in common with our worship of God, so that the Church even addresses to her the words with which we pray to God: “Have mercy on sinners.” The members of the Rosary Sodality, therefore, do exceedingly well in weaving together, as in a crown, so many salutations and prayers to Mary. For, so great is her dignity, so great her favour before God, that whosoever in his need will not have recourse to her is trying to fly without wings.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks MariaChristi. Yes, I hope that the Legion of Mary continues to grow, along with the Rosary Confraternity and the Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts.

I agree that we are in the greatest of spiritual battles. I heard that Leo 13 had a vision of the future of the church which made his knees buckle. Perhaps he saw our days, when there are so many spiritual catastrophes in the Church–such as so few people going to confession, acceptance of grave immorality like contraception, heresy, greed, pride–and we seem afraid of addressing it.

We need Mary’s help, the help of her who breathes only love and mercy.

Pope Leo 13 continues:

9. From the fact that this warfare of prayer is “enrolled under the name of the Mother of God,” fresh efficacy and fresh honour are thereby added to it. Hence the frequent repetition in the Rosary of the “Hail Mary” after each “Our Father.”…[This] especially moves God, and wins His mercy for us. We are taught by the Catholic faith that we may pray not only to God himself, but also to the Blessed in heaven (Conc. Trid. Sess. xxv.)…we pray to holy angels and men, not that God may learn our petition through them, but that by their prayers and merits our prayers may be efficacious. Wherefore, it is said in the Apocalypse (viii., 4): “The smoke of the incense of the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel” (Summa Theol. 2a 2ae, q. Ixxxiii. a. iv.). Now, of all the blessed in heaven, who can compare with the august Mother of God in obtaining grace? Who seeth more clearly in the Eternal Word what troubles oppress us, what are our needs? Who is allowed more power in moving God? Who can compare with her in maternal affection? We do not pray to the Blessed in the same way as to God; for we ask the Holy Trinity to have mercy on us, but we ask all the Saints to pray for us (Ibid.). Yet our manner of praying to the Blessed Virgin has something in common with our worship of God, so that the Church even addresses to her the words with which we pray to God: “Have mercy on sinners.” The members of the Rosary Sodality, therefore, do exceedingly well in weaving together, as in a crown, so many salutations and prayers to Mary. For, so great is her dignity, so great her favour before God, that whosoever in his need will not have recourse to her is trying to fly without wings.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm

Thanks so much, dear brother Pat,

The final words above from Pope Leo XIII, especially blessed me: “…so great is her dignity, so great her favour before God, that whosoever in his need will not have recourse to her is trying to fly without wings”.

 

[patricius79]

Thanks so much, dear brother Pat,

The final words above from Pope Leo XIII, especially blessed me: “…so great is her dignity, so great her favour before God, that whosoever in his need will not have recourse to her is trying to fly without wings”.

thanks dear sister MariaChristi. It is so true, what Pope Leo 13 says. Praying without Mary’s motherly help is impossible and futile. It is only through her–our maternal Mediatrix–that we can focus on Jesus Christ. I could not find Christ without her help.

In praising the Rosary Confraternity, “the army of prayer”, Pope Leo 13 also asks us to be aware that we are praying with the whole angelic host:

10. We must not omit to mention another excellence of this Sodality. As often as, in reciting the Rosary, we meditate upon the mysteries of our Redemption, so often do we in a manner emulate the sacred duties once committed to the Angelic hosts. The Angels revealed each of these mysteries in its due time; they played a great part in them; they were constantly present at them, with countenances indicative now of joy, now of sorrow, now of triumphant exultation. Gabriel was sent to announce the Incarnation of the Eternal Word to the Virgin. In the cave of Bethlehem, Angels sang the glory of the new-born Saviour. The Angel gave Joseph command to fly with the Child into Egypt. An Angel consoled, with his loving words, Jesus in His bloody sweat in the garden. Angels announced His resurrection, after He had triumphed over death, to the women. Angels carried Him up into Heaven; and foretold His second coming, surrounded by Angelic hosts, unto whom He will associate the souls of the elect, and carry them aloft with Him to the heavenly choirs, “above whom the Holy Mother of God is exalted.” To those, therefore, who make use of the pious prayers of the Rosary in this Sodality, may be well applied the words with which St. Paul addressed the new Christians: “You are come to Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels” (Heb. xii., 22). What more divine, what more delightful, than to meditate and pray with the Angels? With what confidence may we not hope that those who on earth have united with the Angels in this ministry will one day enjoy their blessed company in Heaven?
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm

 

[MariaChristi]

thanks dear sister MariaChristi. It is so true, what Pope Leo 13 says. Praying without Mary’s motherly help is impossible and futile. It is only through her–our maternal Mediatrix–that we can focus on Jesus Christ. I could not find Christ without her help.

In praising the Rosary Confraternity, “the army of prayer”, Pope Leo 13 also asks us to be aware that we are praying with the whole angelic host:

10. We must not omit to mention another excellence of this Sodality. As often as, in reciting the Rosary, we meditate upon the mysteries of our Redemption, so often do we in a manner emulate the sacred duties once committed to the Angelic hosts. The Angels revealed each of these mysteries in its due time; they played a great part in them; they were constantly present at them, with countenances indicative now of joy, now of sorrow, now of triumphant exultation. Gabriel was sent to announce the Incarnation of the Eternal Word to the Virgin. In the cave of Bethlehem, Angels sang the glory of the new-born Saviour. The Angel gave Joseph command to fly with the Child into Egypt. An Angel consoled, with his loving words, Jesus in His bloody sweat in the garden. Angels announced His resurrection, after He had triumphed over death, to the women. Angels carried Him up into Heaven; and foretold His second coming, surrounded by Angelic hosts, unto whom He will associate the souls of the elect, and carry them aloft with Him to the heavenly choirs, “above whom the Holy Mother of God is exalted.” To those, therefore, who make use of the pious prayers of the Rosary in this Sodality, may be well applied the words with which St. Paul addressed the new Christians: “You are come to Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels” (Heb. xii., 22). What more divine, what more delightful, than to meditate and pray with the Angels? With what confidence may we not hope that those who on earth have united with the Angels in this ministry will one day enjoy their blessed company in Heaven?
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm

Thanks dear brother Pat,

I’d never really thought of how present Angels are in the Mysteries of the Rosary, but Pope Leo XIII was given that inspiration to share with us, How good to remember his words:

…What more divine, what more delightful, than to meditate and pray with the Angels? With what confidence may we not hope that those who on earth have united with the Angels in this ministry will one day enjoy their blessed company in Heaven?
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm

 

[patricius79]

Thanks dear brother Pat,

I’d never really thought of how present Angels are in the Mysteries of the Rosary, but Pope Leo XIII was given that inspiration to share with us, How good to remember his words:

Yes, dear sister MariaChristi, how often I forget the angels, including even my guardian angel. But my guardian angel can help me so much to do Jesus’s will in Mary.

Pope Leo 13 continues to describe the power of the Rosary Sodality (Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary) to make us whom we are created to be:

*11… Pius V declares that by its virtue “Christians began suddenly to be transformed into other men, the darkness of heresy to be dispelled, and the light of Catholic faith to shine forth” (Consueverunt Romani Pontifices, September17, 1569).

1. We also, Venerable Brethren, moved by the example of Our predecessors, earnestly exhort and conjure you, as We have so often done, to devote special care to this sacred warfare, so that by your efforts fresh forces may be daily enrolled on every side. Through you and those of your clergy who have care of souls, let the people know and duly appreciate the efficacy of this Sodality and its usefulness for man’s salvation. This We beg all the more earnestly as of late that beautiful devotion to our Blessed Mother, called “the living Rosary,” has once more become popular. We have gladly blessed this devotion, and We earnestly desire that you would sedulously and strenuously encourage its growth. We cherish the strongest hope that these prayers and praises, rising incessantly from the lips and hearts of so great a multitude, will be most efficacious. Alternately rising by night and by day, throughout the different countries of the earth, they combine a harmony of vocal prayer with meditation upon the divine mysteries. In ages long past this perennial stream of praise and prayer was foretold in those inspired words with which Ozias in his song addressed Judith: “Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord, the Most High God, above all women upon the earth . . . because He hath so magnified thy name this day that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of man.” And all the people of Israel acclaimed him in these words: “So be it, so be it!” Judith xiii., 23, 24, 26).
   papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm*

 

[MariaChristi]

Yes, dear sister MariaChristi, how often I forget the angels, including even my guardian angel. But my guardian angel can help me so much to do Jesus’s will in Mary.

Pope Leo 13 continues to describe the power of the Rosary Sodality (Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary) to make us whom we are created to be:

11… Pius V declares that by its virtue “Christians began suddenly to be transformed into other men, the darkness of heresy to be dispelled, and the light of Catholic faith to shine forth” (Consueverunt Romani Pontifices, September17, 1569).

1. We also, Venerable Brethren, moved by the example of Our predecessors, earnestly exhort and conjure you, as We have so often done, to devote special care to this sacred warfare, so that by your efforts fresh forces may be daily enrolled on every side. Through you and those of your clergy who have care of souls, let the people know and duly appreciate the efficacy of this Sodality and its usefulness for man’s salvation. This We beg all the more earnestly as of late that beautiful devotion to our Blessed Mother, called “the living Rosary,” has once more become popular. We have gladly blessed this devotion, and We earnestly desire that you would sedulously and strenuously encourage its growth. We cherish the strongest hope that these prayers and praises, rising incessantly from the lips and hearts of so great a multitude, will be most efficacious. Alternately rising by night and by day, throughout the different countries of the earth, they combine a harmony of vocal prayer with meditation upon the divine mysteries. In ages long past this perennial stream of praise and prayer was foretold in those inspired words with which Ozias in his song addressed Judith: “Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord, the Most High God, above all women upon the earth . . . because He hath so magnified thy name this day that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of man.” And all the people of Israel acclaimed him in these words: “So be it, so be it!” Judith xiii., 23, 24, 26).
   papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13augus.htm

Thanks for more words on the Rosary, dear brother Pat,

Especially in this 100th Anniversary Year of Our Lady’s Apparitions at Fatima, in which Mary asked that the Rosary be prayed in order to obtain peace, we need to pray the Rosary daily ! We need to pray not only to avoid war among nations, but to bring peace into our hearts and homes where formation in God’s Truth, needs to begin. Sister Lucia of Faima has a whole chapter in her book “Cadlls From the Message of Fatima” on the Call to Sanctify the Family. I hope to write another thread on that chapter soon, God willing.

 

[patricius79]

Thanks for more words on the Rosary, dear brother Pat,

Especially in this 100th Anniversary Year of Our Lady’s Apparitions at Fatima, in which Mary asked that the Rosary be prayed in order to obtain peace, we need to pray the Rosary daily ! We need to pray not only to avoid war among nations, but to bring peace into our hearts and homes where formation in God’s Truth, needs to begin. Sister Lucia of Faima has a whole chapter in her book “Cadlls From the Message of Fatima” on the Call to Sanctify the Family. I hope to write another thread on that chapter soon, God willing.

Yes, we must restore the piety fo Catholic families, dear sister, through the Rosary. Recently I watched the movie “Therese” about the Little Flower. I was struck by how focused on God her whole family was, as was the family of St. Faustina, who, like St. Therese, also died of tuberculosis I think.

We also must pray the Rosary to Mary and Jesus, our God, for the conversion of Muslims, including terrorists.

I’ve started reading the Encyclical Diuturni Temporis, about the Rosary, by Pope Leo 13:

1. Looking back over the long space of time, which by God’s Will We have passed in the Supreme Pontificate, We cannot but acknowledge that, in spite of Our demerits, We have enjoyed the most singular protection of Divine Providence. This We believe must be attributed principally to the united, and therefore most efficacious, prayers…being poured forth by the Universal Church. … And next, there comes to Our mind the sweet remembrance of the motherly protection of the august Queen of Heaven; and this memory likewise We shall cherish and preserve inviolate, ever thanking her and proclaiming her benefits. From her, as from an abundant spring, are derived the streams of heavenly graces. “In her hand are the treasures of the mercies of the Lord” (St. John-Damascene, Sermon I. on the Nativity of the blessed Virgin). “God wisheth her to be the beginning of all good things” (St. Irenaeus, Contra Valen., J. iii., cap. 33). In the love of this tender mother, which We have constantly striven to cherish and to grow in day by day, We confidently hope that We may end Our life.

 

[MariaChristi]

Yes, we must restore the piety fo Catholic families, dear sister, through the Rosary. Recently I watched the movie “Therese” about the Little Flower. I was struck by how focused on God her whole family was, as was the family of St. Faustina, who, like St. Therese, also died of tuberculosis I think.

We also must pray the Rosary to Mary and Jesus, our God, for the conversion of Muslims, including terrorists.

I’ve started reading the Encyclical Diuturni Temporis, about the Rosary, by Pope Leo 13:

1. Looking back over the long space of time, which by God’s Will We have passed in the Supreme Pontificate, We cannot but acknowledge that, in spite of Our demerits, We have enjoyed the most singular protection of Divine Providence. This We believe must be attributed principally to the united, and therefore most efficacious, prayers…being poured forth by the Universal Church. … And next, there comes to Our mind the sweet remembrance of the motherly protection of the august Queen of Heaven; and this memory likewise We shall cherish and preserve inviolate, ever thanking her and proclaiming her benefits. From her, as from an abundant spring, are derived the streams of heavenly graces. “In her hand are the treasures of the mercies of the Lord” (St. John-Damascene, Sermon I. on the Nativity of the blessed Virgin). “God wisheth her to be the beginning of all good things” (St. Irenaeus, Contra Valen., J. iii., cap. 33). In the love of this tender mother, which We have constantly striven to cherish and to grow in day by day, We confidently hope that We may end Our life.

Thanks, brother Pat,

Yes, the family is basic to society and is so very important in God’s Plan for us. He sent His Son, born of a woman. The Holy Family of Nazareth is a pattern of holiness for all of us. In his Rosary Crusades years ago, Father Patrick Peyton often said: “The Family that prays together stays together.”

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary can help us ponder the beauty of God’s Plan more and more by His Grace.

 

[patricius79]

Thanks, brother Pat,

Yes, the family is basic to society and is so very important in God’s Plan for us. He sent His Son, born of a woman. The Holy Family of Nazareth is a pattern of holiness for all of us. In his Rosary Crusades years ago, Father Patrick Peyton often said: “The Family that prays together stays together.”

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary can help us ponder the beauty of God’s Plan more and more by His Grace.

Yes, the family is the key and that’s why, dear sister MariaChristi, the world, the flesh, and the devil try so hard to destroy it.

But Our Lady is far more powerful. Pope Leo 13 continues:

2. We have long desired to secure the welfare of the human race in an increase of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, as in a powerful citadel, and We have never ceased to encourage the constant use of the Rosary among Christians, by publishing every year since September 1, 1883, an Encyclical Letter on this subject, besides frequently issuing Decrees, as is well known. And now, since God in His merciful Providence has this year again allowed Us to see the approach of the month of October, which We have already consecrated to our Heavenly Queen under the title of the Rosary, We would not refrain from again addressing you; but summarizing in a few words all that we have hitherto done for the promotion of his form of prayer, We will crown our work by yet a new document, in which Our earnest desire and zeal for this form of devotion to Mary may appear still more clearly, and the fervour of the faithful may be stimulated to the devout and constant use of this pious practice.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13diutu.htm

 

[MariaChristi]

Yes, the family is the key and that’s why, dear sister MariaChristi, the world, the flesh, and the devil try so hard to destroy it.

But Our Lady is far more powerful. Pope Leo 13 continues:

2. We have long desired to secure the welfare of the human race in an increase of devotion to the Blessed Virgin, as in a powerful citadel, and We have never ceased to encourage the constant use of the Rosary among Christians, by publishing every year since September 1, 1883, an Encyclical Letter on this subject, besides frequently issuing Decrees, as is well known. And now, since God in His merciful Providence has this year again allowed Us to see the approach of the month of October, which We have already consecrated to our Heavenly Queen under the title of the Rosary, We would not refrain from again addressing you; but summarizing in a few words all that we have hitherto done for the promotion of his form of prayer, We will crown our work by yet a new document, in which Our earnest desire and zeal for this form of devotion to Mary may appear still more clearly, and the fervour of the faithful may be stimulated to the devout and constant use of this pious practice.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13diutu.htm

Thanks for the excerpt from Pope Leo XIII, dear brother Pat,

The Rosary was requested by Mary of the three children at Fatima, and in this 100th Anniversary Year since her Apparitions, I would think that more of the clergy, including our present Holy Father would be encouraging their flocks to pray the Rosary individually and as families. I continue to pray the Rosary daily, because she asked. Sometimes I wonder why more people don’t pray the Rosary. Do they realize Mary our Mother asked us ?

Mary does not ask us to pray the Rosary for her sake, but because she knows that if we really pray the beautiful prayers of the Rosary (Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) with attention and devotion, we will begin to deepen our faith, hope and above all our love for God and for one another because of our love for God. If we ponder the Mysteries our lives will begin to come into closer imitation of the lives of Jesus and our Mother Mary.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust in You, have mercy on us!
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your Faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.

 

[patricius79]

Thanks for the excerpt from Pope Leo XIII, dear brother Pat,

The Rosary was requested by Mary of the three children at Fatima, and in this 100th Anniversary Year since her Apparitions, I would think that more of the clergy, including our present Holy Father would be encouraging their flocks to pray the Rosary individually and as families. I continue to pray the Rosary daily, because she asked. Sometimes I wonder why more people don’t pray the Rosary. Do they realize Mary our Mother asked us ?

I think that many people and parishes are in silent apostasy. That is why devotion to Mary has declined so much, grave moral problems are ignored, and people don’t try to pray the Rosary. Thankfully we can change our ways at any time through invoking Mary, fleeing to her Immaculate Heart, and placing our trust in Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Chaput has said:

Apostasy is an interesting word. It comes from the Greek verb apostanai – which means to revolt or desert; literally “to stand away from.” For Benedict, laypeople and priests don’t need to publicly renounce their baptism to be apostates. They simply need to be silent when their Catholic faith demands that they speak out; to be cowards when Jesus asks them to have courage; to “stand away” from the truth when they need to work for it and fight for it.
philly.com/philly/news/Transcript-Chaputs-remarks-at-Notre-Dame-University.html

 

[MariaChristi]

I think that many people and parishes are in silent apostasy. That is why devotion to Mary has declined so much, grave moral problems are ignored, and people don’t try to pray the Rosary. Thankfully we can change our ways at any time through invoking Mary, fleeing to her Immaculate Heart, and placing our trust in Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Chaput has said:

Apostasy is an interesting word. It comes from the Greek verb apostanai – which means to revolt or desert; literally “to stand away from.” For Benedict, laypeople and priests don’t need to publicly renounce their baptism to be apostates. They simply need to be silent when their Catholic faith demands that they speak out; to be cowards when Jesus asks them to have courage; to “stand away” from the truth when they need to work for it and fight for it.
philly.com/philly/news/Transcript-Chaputs-remarks-at-Notre-Dame-University.html

Dear brother Pat,

Thanks so much for the link to Archbishop Chaput’s remarks. I read the whole of it, and it was (as I have found many of his writings to be) : Excellent! It is painful to see Catholics “stand away from” or be unwilling to stand for Truth with Jesus, to work for it and fight for it. Mary our Mother was unafraid to stand at the foot of the Cross, with John.

As we prepare for Pentecost, let us pray fervently for an increase in all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, given to us at Baptism, and strengthened at Confirmation. Let us pray with Mary as those first disciples prayed waiting to be clothed with power from on high. Let us pray as Mary asked us to pray her Rosary that we may have peace in our hearts, our families and in our world.

 

[patricius79]

Dear brother Pat,

Thanks so much for the link to Archbishop Chaput’s remarks. I read the whole of it, and it was (as I have found many of his writings to be) : Excellent! It is painful to see Catholics “stand away from” or be unwilling to stand for Truth with Jesus, to work for it and fight for it. Mary our Mother was unafraid to stand at the foot of the Cross, with John.

As we prepare for Pentecost, let us pray fervently for an increase in all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, given to us at Baptism, and strengthened at Confirmation. Let us pray with Mary as those first disciples prayed waiting to be clothed with power from on high. Let us pray as Mary asked us to pray her Rosary that we may have peace in our hearts, our families and in our world.

Dear sister MariaChristi,

That’s a wonderful idea, dear sister, to pray for an increase of all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. As Pope Pius 9th said, Mary is an “almost infinite” treasury of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I’m glad you liked Archbishop Chaput’s remarks. I admire his honesty in a time when we are so often afraid to speak the truth in love.

Pope Leo 13 continues, and says something which suggests to me that the decline in praying the Rosary has led to our loss of faith:

3. Impelled, therefore, by a constant desire that Christians should ever be convinced of the efficacy and dignity of the Rosary of Our Lady, We first of all pointed out that the origin of this form of prayer is divine rather than human, showing it to be an admirable garland woven from the Angelic Salutation, together with the Lord’s Prayer, joined to meditation, and that this form of prayer was most powerful and particularly efficacious for attaining eternal life. For besides the special excellence of the prayers, it affords a powerful protection to faith and conspicuous models of virtue in the mysteries proposed for contemplation. We showed also how easy the devotion is and how suited to the people, offering an absolutely perfect model of domestic life in meditation on the Holy Family at Nazareth, and that therefore Christendom had never failed to experience its salutary effects.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13diutu.htm

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear sister MariaChristi,

That’s a wonderful idea, dear sister, to pray for an increase of all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. As Pope Pius 9th said, Mary is an “almost infinite” treasury of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I’m glad you liked Archbishop Chaput’s remarks. I admire his honesty in a time when we are so often afraid to speak the truth in love.

Pope Leo 13 continues, and says something which suggests to me that the decline in praying the Rosary has led to our loss of faith:

3. Impelled, therefore, by a constant desire that Christians should ever be convinced of the efficacy and dignity of the Rosary of Our Lady, We first of all pointed out that the origin of this form of prayer is divine rather than human, showing it to be an admirable garland woven from the Angelic Salutation, together with the Lord’s Prayer, joined to meditation, and that this form of prayer was most powerful and particularly efficacious for attaining eternal life. For besides the special excellence of the prayers, it affords a powerful protection to faith and conspicuous models of virtue in the mysteries proposed for contemplation. We showed also how easy the devotion is and how suited to the people, offering an absolutely perfect model of domestic life in meditation on the Holy Family at Nazareth, and that therefore Christendom had never failed to experience its salutary effects.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13diutu.htm

Dear brother Pat,

As recently as an address given in 1982, Pope St. John Paul II also saw and spoke of a decline in devotion to Mary which preceded the decline of faith, in our own time. Mary’s “call” from Fatima remains true for us today as it did for the three shepherd children: “Pray the Rosary daily”! Thanks for the excerpt from Pope Leo XIII which strengthens our call to pray.

 

[patricius79]

Dear brother Pat,

As recently as an address given in 1982, Pope St. John Paul II also saw and spoke of a decline in devotion to Mary which preceded the decline of faith, in our own time. Mary’s “call” from Fatima remains true for us today as it did for the three shepherd children: “Pray the Rosary daily”! Thanks for the excerpt from Pope Leo XIII which strengthens our call to pray.

Dear sister Maria, If one is able to pray the Rosary, what madness it is to not do so! I understand there may be reasons why one has to not pray it, or why one has to make modifications. For example, I am unable to pray the whole Rosary at once due to health reasons. So I pray it in pieces.

If one can pray the Rosary, what a blessing it is!

Wow–I didn’t realize what indulgences are attached to the Rosary and the Rosary Confraternity until I read this from Pope Leo 13, which then led me to look up the indulgences and promises attached to the Rosary:

5. It remains to be added that great value and utility accrue to the Rosary from the abundance of privileges and favours which adorn it, and more particularly from the rich treasures of indulgences attached to it. It is evident how greatly to the advantage of all who are solicitous for their eternal salvation is the obtaining of these benefits. For it is a question of obtaining either totally or partially a remission of the debt of temporal punishment which, even after guilt has been forgiven, must be paid either in this life or in the next. Vast indeed is the treasure won by the merits of Christ, His Mother and the Saints, to which our predecessor Clement VI. so aptly applied those words of the Book of Wisdom: “She is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use become the friends of God” (Wisdom vii., 14).

Which led me to to look up the indulgences–and traditional promises-- attached to the Rosary here:
rosary-center.org/nconobl.htm#ind

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear sister Maria, If one is able to pray the Rosary, what madness it is to not do so! I understand there may be reasons why one has to not pray it, or why one has to make modifications. For example, I am unable to pray the whole Rosary at once due to health reasons. So I pray it in pieces.

If one can pray the Rosary, what a blessing it is!

Wow–I didn’t realize what indulgences are attached to the Rosary and the Rosary Confraternity until I read this from Pope Leo 13, which then led me to look up the indulgences and promises attached to the Rosary:

5. It remains to be added that great value and utility accrue to the Rosary from the abundance of privileges and favours which adorn it, and more particularly from the rich treasures of indulgences attached to it. It is evident how greatly to the advantage of all who are solicitous for their eternal salvation is the obtaining of these benefits. For it is a question of obtaining either totally or partially a remission of the debt of temporal punishment which, even after guilt has been forgiven, must be paid either in this life or in the next. Vast indeed is the treasure won by the merits of Christ, His Mother and the Saints, to which our predecessor Clement VI. so aptly applied those words of the Book of Wisdom: “She is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use become the friends of God” (Wisdom vii., 14).

Which led me to to look up the indulgences–and traditional promises-- attached to the Rosary here:
rosary-center.org/nconobl.htm#ind

Dear brother Pat,

“Indulgences” in general may have fallen into the category of “poor catechesis”, – so few persons, Catholic and not Catholic really understand the Catholic Church’s teaching on “grace”, “merit” as well as intercessory prayer and indulgences.

It would probably take a few new threads on each of those teachings to say all that might be said in helping persons to understand what the Pope has written in your excerpt as well as all that is contained in the link to the Rosary Center which you’ve given above.

I’m grateful for the Church’s teachings and I continue to be grateful for the opportunities to gain indulgences for the remission of temporal punishment due to sin. There is one requirement for gaining an indulgence, which is not given enough attention, it seems to me, and I do not want to encourage scrupulosity in you or anyone else but to point all of us toward greater purity of intention, in mentioning it.

In gaining any indulgence, there are certain requirements and the most important one to me is “detachment from sin”. That may sound like a “no brainer” but when we consider the venial sins to which many of us pay little attention, we may want to re-consider that phrase. How detached are we from being “envious of others” or “speaking carelessly about others” or “speaking uncharitably to others” or any other offenses against God.

In the evening of our lives, St. John of the Cross wrote, we will be judged on “charity”. How detached are we from loving ourselves too much? Do we prefer our will to God’s Will? St. Augustine spoke of the two cities: the city of man loves self to the contempt of God, while the City of God loves God to the contempt of self.

God knows our hearts far better than we do; without Him we can do nothing so we need His help in knowing ourselves better. As we approach the Feast of Pentecost let us, please, pray for one another and for all our brothers and sisters that the Holy Spirit may sanctify our hearts. “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God” (Mt. 5)

 

[patricius79]

Dear brother Pat,

“Indulgences” in general may have fallen into the category of “poor catechesis”, – so few persons, Catholic and not Catholic really understand the Catholic Church’s teaching on “grace”, “merit” as well as intercessory prayer and indulgences.

It would probably take a few new threads on each of those teachings to say all that might be said in helping persons to understand what the Pope has written in your excerpt as well as all that is contained in the link to the Rosary Center which you’ve given above.

I’m grateful for the Church’s teachings and I continue to be grateful for the opportunities to gain indulgences for the remission of temporal punishment due to sin. There is one requirement for gaining an indulgence, which is not given enough attention, it seems to me, and I do not want to encourage scrupulosity in you or anyone else but to point all of us toward greater purity of intention, in mentioning it.

In gaining any indulgence, there are certain requirements and the most important one to me is “detachment from sin”. That may sound like a “no brainer” but when we consider the venial sins to which many of us pay little attention, we may want to re-consider that phrase. How detached are we from being “envious of others” or “speaking carelessly about others” or “speaking uncharitably to others” or any other offenses against God.

In the evening of our lives, St. John of the Cross wrote, we will be judged on “charity”. How detached are we from loving ourselves too much? Do we prefer our will to God’s Will? St. Augustine spoke of the two cities: the city of man loves self to the contempt of God, while the City of God loves God to the contempt of self.

God knows our hearts far better than we do; without Him we can do nothing so we need His help in knowing ourselves better. As we approach the Feast of Pentecost let us, please, pray for one another and for all our brothers and sisters that the Holy Spirit may sanctify our hearts. “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God” (Mt. 5)

Dear sister MariaChristi,

Yes, these can be difficult realities to grasp, and it can be still harder to detach from all sins. Humanly speaking, this detachment from sin is impossible.

But since Mary is the channel of Christ’s Infinite Mercy, and she is our sweet Mother, we need only ask for help to get free from sin. And the Rosary is so powerful in this, since it delivers from sin and obtains the most abundant divine mercies. Moreover we obtain what we ask through the Rosary. And there are still other promises too:
rosary-center.org/nconobl.htm#ind

This all fits with what Pope Leo 13 teaches:

6. The Roman Pontiffs, making use of that supreme power granted them by God, have opened out the most abundant fountains of these graces to the members of the sodality of the Holy rosary and to those who recite the Rosary.
papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13diutu.htm