I knelt before the statue of our Lady, my body exhausted but my heart rejoicing, as I gazed into the face of my newborn baby boy. Chrism oil dripped down his forehead, and I began to pray. The worn beads from my grandmother’s Rosary, gifted to me many years ago, ran through my fingers.
“I give him to you, dearest Mother. He is yours. Lead him to Christ and help me to do the same.”
This is a prayer that has flowed from my lips many times for all my children. It is a prayer that I have sung softly as they slept, a prayer that I have quietly wept through when they have suffered, a prayer that has burst jubilantly from my heart when they have triumphed. In each of these moments, the tender presence of our Blessed Mother nourished my soul.
For so many of my needs, the Rosary has been the remedy.
- The remedy when I have lacked peace: Our Lady held me to her Immaculate Heart and reminded me that her Son is the King of Kings, and I need not fear.
- The remedy when I have been weary: Our Lady whispered gently to my soul, in her wise and motherly way, to rest and be restored.
- The remedy when I was drowning in the abyss of sin and darkness: Our Lady crushed the head of the serpent, brought me to the foot of the cross, and lovingly turned my head to behold her Son.
Through the Mysteries of the Rosary, our Lady gives us an encounter with Christ and the work of the Gospel in every moment of our lives. She points us to Jesus in our joys, in our sorrows, in the illumination of significant moments, and in the glories of life.
A Garland of Roses
Many of us have heard the story of Saint Dominic’s vision. Tradition says that Saint Dominic was walking at dawn, discouraged by those who, despite his passionate preaching, were falling by the wayside into heresy and sin. He entered the forest by the road and fell to his knees in deep prayer, when our Lady appeared before him with the answer, the Psalter, later to become the Holy Rosary. The word “rosary” comes from the Latin “rosarium” which means “garland of roses.”
The Rosary also comes with promises—promises of signal graces, special protection, destruction of vice, the flourishing of virtue. Promises of God’s mercy, conversion, sacramental grace, and glory in Heaven. (You can read about the fifteen Promises of the Rosary here.)
The recitation of the Rosary has brought healing to troubled nations, troubled hearts, and afflicted souls. The power of our Blessed Mother and the Rosary has been told to us by the many holy Marian Saints: Saint Louis De Montfort, Saint Alphonsus Maria De Liguori, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, and Saint Padre Pio, to name a few.
How to Pray the Rosary, Not Just Say It
All of this we have heard and believe to be true, yet making recitation of the Rosary an integral part of our lives can be a struggle. The Rosary can feel rote, and we may fall into the habit of saying the Rosary, but not praying the Rosary. I want to encourage you that even in this, our Lady is with you. She is a devoted mother, and her love for you is complete. She holds nothing back.
However, there are two simple ways that I have found helpful in keeping this beautiful prayer alive in my heart.
Place Yourself in the Mystery and Relate It to Your Life
Jesus desires intimacy with us, and our Lady, being so entirely united with His will, devotedly brings us into intimate relationship with Him. The Mysteries of the Rosary speak directly to the matters of our soul.
For example, today, as you contemplate the Glorious Mysteries traditional for Wednesdays, ponder deeply how our Lady, in her motherly wisdom, is communicating uniquely to your heart.
As you reflect upon the Resurrection, ask our Lady to reveal to you what needs resurrecting in your life. What tomb do you need to walk out of?
As you reflect upon the Ascension and envision the triumphant moment of Christ ascending on a cloud to Heaven as the angels rejoiced, give our Lady all your doubts and loneliness. Be reminded that He never leaves you.
As you reflect upon the Descent of the Holy Spirit, perceiving in your heart the dazzling tongues of fire rousing the Apostles from their trepidation with our Lady among them, give our Lady your fears and watch them become engulfed in the purifying flames of her Spouse, the Holy Spirit.
As you reflect upon the Assumption of Mary, her sinless body, which was a tabernacle for Christ, lifted to Heaven in glory, ponder the promised glorification of your own body. One day, by the grace of Almighty Jesus, your body will be resurrected and glorified. Bring to our Lady your aches and pains, your insecurities, your illnesses.
And finally, as you reflect upon the Queenship of Mary, as you envision her before the throne of Christ, being crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth, surrounded by the joyous song of the angels, offer her your devotion. Hold before you the “garland of roses” and ask her to be queen of your life.
A similar meditation can be done for each of the sets of mysteries of the Rosary. Let the Holy Spirit move you as you pray with each mystery, enlightening your spiritual imagination.
Assign a Specific Intention to Each Day of the Week
This is a helpful way to develop a daily habit of praying the holy Rosary. This can be adapted to your state in life, but it could look like this:
Sunday // Faith and your personal relationship with the Lord
Monday // Your vocation or your future spouse
Tuesday // Holy friendships
Wednesday // Protection of your mind, body, and soul
Thursday // Deeper devotion to the Eucharist
Friday // Chastity, purity, and humility
Saturday // Devotion to the Blessed Mother
I have prayed in this specific way for my children, for my spouse, and for myself. Remember, relate the Rosary to your life and the unique longings of your heart. The words of Venerable Fulton Sheen ring true: “The Blessed Mother will always be the model of conversion and the reception of Christ” (source). She shows us the way, and if you are longing for a deeper relationship with the Blessed Mother, I encourage you dear sister, to pray the holy Rosary.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.
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