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In 1208 AD, the Christian faith was facing
great challenges from pagan influences and heresies in Europe. St.
Dominic, grieving and praying for the salvation of men and the
strengthening of the Church, received a vision of the Mother of God
seated beside her Son in heaven. The Blessed Mother came to answer
Dominic's prayer and taught him how the world might be saved.
Our Lady told St. Dominic that the Holy
Rosary was the greatest tool of salvation and that it was capable of
softening the hard hearts of men. The event was surrounded with
miraculous events confirming the message and included the ringing of the
church bells--an event that called the townspeople to the church.
A storm erupted and the people in the Church of Tulouse saw an image of
the Mother of God raising her arms as if to call judgment upon the
world. When St. Dominic began to pray, the terrifying images and
sounds departed and Dominic taught the people the devotion revealed to
him. In a short time, the city was reformed.
While some may deny the Rosary and call it
evil, we find no miracles given to those who do so. Yet,
throughout history we find the greatest signs of God's presence given to
those most devoted to the Rosary. In fact, where the Rosary is
abandoned, piety and culture--especially among children--disappear.
Do we not share St. Dominic's concern for
our communities? Let us then pray the Rosary.
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PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY
Praying the Holy
Rosary is not difficult at all and children can learn it as easily as
adults. You'll need a quiet place, a set of rosary beads and a
guide to praying the Holy Rosary until you are comfortable praying
without a guide. If you're looking for your first rosary, we
recommend the
Bethlehem Black Bead Rosary at EWTN's
shop. You can print a free guide from the
Daughters of St. Paul here.
As for where you
should pray, you can pray alone privately or with your family at home,
or in a local church. You can also pray outdoors as you're out for
a morning walk or in your garden.
BUT WE'RE PROTESTANTS!
Many Protestants throughout the world pray
the Rosary. Any attacks made against it are not well thought out.
The Rosary consists of the Apostle's Creed,
the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary. The Hail Mary consists of the
greeting of the angel Gabriel and the greeting of St. Elizabeth in Luke
1. The last part of the Hail Mary may be omitted, as it was added
later.
The Rosary, in its parts, is but a
meditation on the life of Our Lord, to which great promises are made!
Don't neglect it and forfeit the great benefits it bears. |
