Why Pray the Rosary?

The Rosary is one of many traditional elements of Catholic devotional life that has been marginalized over the past forty years. Growing up, I don’t remember hearing much about the Rosary from the pulpit. Today, there are devout souls at several parishes around the city who faithfully recite the rosary before or after every Mass (ya’ll know who you are). That is awesome. Relevant Radio also broadcasts a regular, albeit rather monotonous sounding, recitation of the Rosary over the radio (God bless them). However, I would say that in most parishes, you rarely, if ever, hear homilies about the Rosary. Why is that? Consequently, Catholics around the city are suffering spiritually as a result of poor catechesis about the efficaciousness of this ancient prayer. Our Lady made fifteen promises to souls who faithfully recite the Rosary. Take a look at them and recite the Rosary with frequency and see what happens in your life.  I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.

It is said that Our Lady Herself gave these promises to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche.  Patrick J. Hayes, Archbishop of New York (1919-1938), granted his Imprimatur (An official license to print or publish a book, pamphlet, etc., especially a license issued by a censor of the Roman Catholic Church.) to the English translation.

 

1.    Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.

 

2.    I Promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

 

 

3.    The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

 

4.    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.

 

 

5.    The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.

 

6.    Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never me conquered by misfortune.  God will not chastise him in his justice; he shall not perish an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.

 

 

7.     Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

 

8.    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.

 

 

9.    I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

 

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

 

 

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

 

12. All those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.  

 

 

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

 

14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ. 

 

 

15. Devotion to my Rosary a great sign of predestination.