In the Rosary, we contemplate the face of Jesus with Mary

Saint Francis de Sales teaches us that “the greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.” Indeed the Rosary is the remedy for all our spiritual difficulties, a remedy for all our moral struggles, a remedy for our evils and predominant faults. The Rosary is also the root of all our blessings.“Say the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail Marys which purifies the monotony of your sins!” (St. Josemaria Escriva)

 

“Rosary” means the garden of roses where we, together with Our Mother, walk safely and happily, yet reflecting on the life of the Lord. With her we contemplate the face of Jesus. Pope Paul VI clearly pointed out: “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”.

 

Praying the Rosary we say many times of ‘Hail Mary, full of grace” together with Archangel Gabriel and with an angel we admire her answer to God. This reflection elevates our minds to Paradise. When we think of Her ‘Yes’ we are already in the sweet presence of the Lord as if we are in the garden of roses.

 

Praying the Rosary we learn from Mary’s gaze, ever filled with adoration and wonder, how to love Jesus. We learn that with her we also would never leave him. In the recitation of each decade, we enter into contact with the memories and the contemplative gaze of Mary. It was in her womb that Christ was formed, receiving from her a human resemblance, which points to an even greater spiritual closeness. Contemplating the scenes of the Rosary in union with Mary is a means of learning from her to “read” Christ, to discover his secrets and to understand his message.

 

“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” (St. Padre Pio)

 

Fr Stan

 

Categories: Reflections