The Rosary and the promises of Our Lady

[nickybr38]

The Rosary was specifically designed to meet individuals spiritual needs not material needs. For example, healing, help in marriage, lack of faith, conversion, family issues, self-personal problems, guidance, peace, divine protection and other examples. All those are spiritual needs. Wanting to become the president of the United States through the Rosary is more of a greedy purpose. Don’t you think that it’s something too big? I personally wouldn’t ask those things in my own humble opinion. When individuals pray, it’s usually because something spiritual has gone wrong.

When you go to church, it’s because you care about your spirituality and try to make sure that it’s healthy. Worry more about your spiritual health/needs than your material needs.

• 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers,* but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[d] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need./

Passage Matthew 6:31-33

Following the ten commandments of Jesus and being his follower will assure that you have what you need to survive in this planet. It’s that simple. He loves you and is your friend and wouldn’t let you starve to death or die.

When our Lady made that promise she had in mind that the humble and obedient followers of Christ will ask humble and little things that are possible through prayer. There are other factores and circumstances that require personal effort and hard work if wanting to become the president of the United States.

SO many people newer to the faith pray for things they WANT, material things, and when they do not receive those things they say; well, there’s no God because He didn’t give me what I wanted.

What makes you think people would handle these promises of the Rosary any differently? Sadly I just see these promises as a tool that would lead people AWAY from the faith if whatever they want they do not obtain.

 

[Shin]

I’m being ridiculous and yet the eleventh promise is:
11. What you shall ask through my Rosary you shall obtain.

I have nothing against the Rosary, I do not like the promises.

‘Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’

John 14:13

Have a problem with that promise?

‘Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.’

Matthew 7:7-8

How about this one?

So too… the promises of the Rosary. When you understand the light they are given in, you understand.

'Good and devout souls, who walk in the light of the Holy Spirit, I do not think you will mind my giving you this little mystical rose tree which comes straight from heaven and which is to be planted in the garden of your soul. It cannot possibly harm the sweet-smelling flowers of your contemplations; for it is a heavenly tree and its scent is very pleasant. It will not in the least interfere with your carefully planned flower-beds; for, being itself all pure and well-ordered, it inclines all to order and purity. If it is carefully watered and properly attended to every day, it will grow to such a marvellous height, and its branches will have such a wide span that, far from hindering your other devotions, it will maintain and perfect them. Of course, you understand what I mean, since you are spiritually minded; this mystical rose tree is Jesus and Mary in life, death and eternity.

Its green leaves are the Joyful Mysteries, the thorns the Sorrowful ones, and the flowers the Glorious Mysteries of Jesus and Mary. The buds are the childhood of Jesus and Mary, and the open blooms show us both of them in their sufferings, and the full-blown roses symbolize Jesus and Mary in their triumph and glory.’

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

 

[nickybr38]

‘Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’

John 14:13

Have a problem with that promise?

‘Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.’

Matthew 7:7-8

How about this one?

So too… the promises of the Rosary. When you understand the light they are given in, you understand.

'Good and devout souls, who walk in the light of the Holy Spirit, I do not think you will mind my giving you this little mystical rose tree which comes straight from heaven and which is to be planted in the garden of your soul. It cannot possibly harm the sweet-smelling flowers of your contemplations; for it is a heavenly tree and its scent is very pleasant. It will not in the least interfere with your carefully planned flower-beds; for, being itself all pure and well-ordered, it inclines all to order and purity. If it is carefully watered and properly attended to every day, it will grow to such a marvellous height, and its branches will have such a wide span that, far from hindering your other devotions, it will maintain and perfect them. Of course, you understand what I mean, since you are spiritually minded; this mystical rose tree is Jesus and Mary in life, death and eternity.

Its green leaves are the Joyful Mysteries, the thorns the Sorrowful ones, and the flowers the Glorious Mysteries of Jesus and Mary. The buds are the childhood of Jesus and Mary, and the open blooms show us both of them in their sufferings, and the full-blown roses symbolize Jesus and Mary in their triumph and glory.’

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

As I said, when you read the Gospels as a whole instead of individual verses you see that God promises to take care of our needs (spiritual AND physical), not our every want . I don’t believe the Promise of the Rosary is clear enough on this point.

It doesn’t really matter, I just know I will not be sharing the Promises, and I really don’t care about the promises. I pray to be closer to God, not to receive greater graces, or to obtain everything I want, etc. etc.

 

[thetruth0flife]

SO many people newer to the faith pray for things they WANT, material things, and when they do not receive those things they say; well, there’s no God because He didn’t give me what I wanted.

What makes you think people would handle these promises of the Rosary any differently? Sadly I just see these promises as a tool that would lead people AWAY from the faith if whatever they want they do not obtain.

The material things are more self-personal goals. If you want a car, God isn’t going to make one appear the next day at your house. Have those people who all they say in their prayers that they want this and that(material things) thought about if they really deserve it?

That’s the reason why some individuals go off-stray or fooled and start adoring someone else thinking that he loves you and really cares about you just because he did do some things you asked for… I’m not saying you do but that is how the devil fools individuals when he might have given some material things to people. In the end, he will no longer do what you ask for once you’re useless to him and will drag you into hell and torment you there forever.

Satan doesn’t like anyone, never will and hasn’t ever. For it’s him that we’re in the condition we are in and he is the one to have tricked Adam and Eve into sinning. Or else, we would have been perfect and would have never died. If he tricked our first fathers into sinning, why wouldn’t he trick you or anyone else?

 

[JW55]

One important point to remember in regard to the Rosary is that it is considered a “Devotion” by the church. It is not contained in the Deposit of Faith nor considered Dogma. Therefore, Catholics are free to choose to say the Rosary, and believe in it as they are also free to not say the Rosary or attribute any special considerations to it. It is however, “encouraged” and is considered a great blessing by most Popes and countless thousands of devoted individuals who attribute untold number of graces given them by the practice of saying and believing the promises of the Rosary.

Part of the problem of supporters and detractors of the promises of the Rosary are the same as would be with any prayer. Probably 14 of the points of the Rosary promises we may accept by faith or to a lesser degree “presumption” but we may never see the answer to those promises until our death. So in essence, it is somewhat easier for someone to make a statement that they accept the promises, since there is no way for us to present tangible proof that they have been answered. We in this lifetime face no possible consequences of being shown to be right or wrong in our faith or assumptions.

Point #11 presents a different issue because it seems to imply a response to temporal blessings which either show up or they don’t, so our faith is more tested. If you get what you want, you say “Ah-hah, I was right.” If we don’t get what we want we try to justify that we are only suppose to pray for certain things or we have to accept that we were wrong in placing our faith there. What it comes down to is, #11 is really no different than the other promises,other than there may be some visible proof that you have an answer to your prayer.

But let’s consider what would seem to be an obvious fact. The Rosary is a prayer and it operates the same way as any prayer. First off, our request would have to have scriptural backing. The Blessed Mother is not going to pray for us for anything that is outside the Will of God or is not already found in the promises of scripture or taught by the Church. Secondly, we must have faith. We must truely believe we will receive what we ask for. Not presumption, not wishing but true faith. Third, we need to search our hearts and see if we have any unconfessed sins that would prevent us from receiving what we request. God wants us to be pure of heart and not harbor ill will against others or carry any sins that would be an impediment to receiving our blessing. Fourth, will we grow spiritually from receiving what we pray for and seek to amend our lives? Fifth, we can’t necessarily expect our answer to be on our timetable or exactly in the manner we expect to receive it.It is on God’s timetable. There may be a deeper hidden blessing that is trying to be worked in us in additon to what we have requested. There may be things we are expected to do to receive this blessing. It’s kinda like the old story of being disappointed if we don’t win the lottery, but we never bought a ticket. We need to find out if something is required of us to put our faith into action.

I believe that Rosary is a powerful prayer and the Blessed Mother prays for us in our behalf for all 15 promises. But let’s not forget our role in fulfillng our obligations. And above all, to give thanks before we see the results of our faith. See Heb 11:1, “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” Let’s also be thankful than we have a wonderful God and we have Mary and all the Saints to pray for us.

 

[Monica4316]

I just had a thought about the promises… if they’re true, they must be something that Our Lady obtained from God through her prayers. The promises don’t come from the Rosary being a special prayer, (though in many ways, it is special) - but from Mary, and ultimately from God.

 

[Hesychios]

… if they’re true, they must be something that Our Lady obtained from God through her prayers. The promises don’t come from the Rosary being a special prayer - but from Mary …

… or perhaps not from Mary, there is absolutely no way to know.

 

[AnneElliot]

There is nothing wrong with the promises when you understand them in their proper sense (i.e., a faithful Catholic piously reciting the Rosary for the intentions of the Church). They are not presumptuous because they rely entirely upon God and our conformity to His will.

 

[Monica4316]

… or perhaps not from Mary, there is absolutely no way to know.

if these promises have come true for anyone, then they might be true… I think they have

piercedhearts.org/theology_heart/life_saints/bartolo_longo.htm

There is nothing wrong with the promises when you understand them in their proper sense (i.e., a faithful Catholic piously reciting the Rosary for the intentions of the Church). They are not presumptuous because they rely entirely upon God and our conformity to His will.

 

[Shin]

‘If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins “you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.” Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and save your soul, if - and mark well what I say - if you say the Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins.’

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

'Dominic looked to that simple way of praying and beseeching God, accessible to all and wholly pious, which is called the Rosary, or Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which the same most Blessed Virgin is venerated by the angelic greeting repeated one hundred and fifty times, that is, according to the number of the Davidic Psalter, and by the Lord’s Prayer with each decade. Interposed with these prayers are certain meditations showing forth the entire life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, thus completing the method of prayer devised by the by the Fathers of the Holy Roman Church. . .

Christ’s faithful, inflamed by these prayers, began immediately to be changed into new men. The darkness of heresy began to be dispelled, and the light of the Catholic Faith to be revealed.’

Pope St. Pius V

‘You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.’

The Blessed Virgin to Bl. Alan de la Roche

‘Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.’

Pope Bl. Pius IX

‘I have no better way of knowing if a man is for God than if he likes to say the Hail Mary and the Rosary.’

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

 

[ronh4]

What is not to believe. Those of you who tend to pick and choose, I doubt you will ever be happy.

Pray, pray it every day, offer all up to our Lady, and don’t worry about what you will receive. God knows best.

Trust is our God through our beloved Mother, He will take care of you.

 

[Hesychios]

There is nothing wrong with the promises when you understand them in their proper sense (i.e., a faithful Catholic piously reciting the Rosary for the intentions of the Church). They are not presumptuous because they rely entirely upon God and our conformity to His will.

That is what you bring to it, it is what we want to believe, but that is not what they say.

It is mostly “me” “my” and “I”. It really is an arrogant display of power, and as I have said before, totally uncharacteristic of what one would expect of the meek and humble God fearing Mary. It is prideful.

If it was my daughter I would be sorrowfully disappointed, and if it was my mother I would be ashamed. The language is pretty haughty and the promises are something she has no right to make. That we should become used to this way of looking at Mary, the holy mother of God is a victory of sorts, but not for God.

 

[AnneElliot]

It is mostly “me” “my” and “I”. It really is an arrogant display of power, and as I have said before, totally uncharacteristic of what one would expect of the meek and humble God fearing Mary. It is prideful.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD…”
“…All generations shall call me blessed…”

Are those statements also an “arrogant display of power” and “prideful”? Or because they were uttered under Divine Inspiration you’ll excuse it just this once?

 

[Hesychios]

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD…”
“…All generations shall call me blessed…”

Are those statements also an “arrogant display of power” and “prideful”? Or because they were uttered under Divine Inspiration you’ll excuse it just this once?

You are throwing a red herring out there.

There is no comparison in the language nor the meaning between the Gospel quotes and the alleged promises.

Which is all the more reason to think that the promises are not from Mary of Nazareth.

 

[Shin]

Frankly, I think you just have an emotional animus involved here, and not much logic. In other words, the pre-judgement as an ‘Orthodox’ partisan is affecting your views of Our Lady’s apparitions and the content of the messages thereof.

If the shoe were on the other foot and this that or the other thing were widely accepted by the Orthodox you’d find just as many reasons to defend it.

 

[AnneElliot]

You are throwing a red herring out there.

There is no comparison in the language nor the meaning between the Gospel quotes and the alleged promises.

Which is all the more reason to think that the promises are not from Mary of Nazareth.

It’s not a red herring, Mary spoke those words in the Gospel. You claim the promises are not of Mary, saying her language in the promises is “prideful”. She promises to grant graces to those who pray the Rosary. Yet, in the Gospel she declares that her soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and that all generations shall call her blessed…

I’m not seeing the “prideful” attribution coming into play here… so you’ll have to connect the dots if you think you have a good argument there. The promises and their language is far less intimidating than the words of the Magnificat.

 

[Vico]

I just had a thought about the promises… if they’re true, they must be something that Our Lady obtained from God through her prayers. The promises don’t come from the Rosary being a special prayer, (though in many ways, it is special) - but from Mary, and ultimately from God.

Mary, from the first moment of her conception, had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As the mother of Our Lord, she is the Queen of Heaven, an intecessor by prayer for us, which intercession saves and protects us from sin. She is more honorable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim. And we know that angels help us: enlighten and guard, rule and guide. In the Marian prayers we affirm the God sanctified her and ask for her prayerful intercession.

 

[Hesychios]

… so you’ll have to connect the dots if you think you have a good argument there.

No, it is you who brought this up, you have to find some dots before you can connect them

From what I can see there is no comparison. In the Magnificat Mary is testifying that she has been blessed and saved, and she praises God (magnify the Lord) in thanksgiving for that.

In the promises the alleged promissor is claiming to save people conditioned upon whether they comply with his/her instructions. Two totally different concepts.

 

[Vico]

The Catholic Church grants reparation for sins for all those who shall recite the rosary (5 decades with meditation): either partial or plenary depending upon the depth of contrition for sins and fulfilment of the other conditions (sacramental confession and communion and prayers for the intensions of the Pope). The Blessed Virgin Mary is the foremost Saint in the Communion of Saints, the Mystical Body with Christ as the head, that intercede for us, and with them we offer our prayers.

 

[AnneElliot]

No, it is you who brought this up, you have to find some dots before you can connect them

From what I can see there is no comparison. In the Magnificat Mary is testifying that she has been blessed and saved, and she praises God (magnify the Lord) in thanksgiving for that.

In the promises the alleged promissor is claiming to save people conditioned upon whether they comply with his/her instructions. Two totally different concepts.

Do you, as an Orthodox, recite the Akathist to Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos? (I have an Orthodox prayer book… The ‘Jordanville’ Prayer Book… it starts on p.290)