The Rosary and the Republic

Speroforum ^ | October 23, 2007 | Brother Andre Marie

[NYer]

You may not have noticed it, but next year is an election year.

For a moment, though, we would do well to look beyond electioneering to the true hope of the Republic. This is not to dismiss politics — the way society is governed — as something of no account or something too worldly for the faithful to concern ourselves with, for neither is the case. It is, rather, to explore how the supernatural can leaven politics in order to make it Christian.

In the “Act of Dedication of the Human Race,” we pray for the “ordered tranquility” of all nations. This is a prayer for nothing less than peace brought about by a Christian polity, something that seems at least unlikely in our present circumstances. No matter how unlikely it may seem, I would like to propose that a powerful means of securing this great good for our country is the spiritual weapon of the Holy Rosary.

The Holy Rosary a weapon? Yes, a weapon! We are fighting a battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. “Our wrestling,” St. Paul reminds us, is “against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places” (Eph. 6:12). In short, we need the big guns — and the Rosary is one of the biggest, as history testifies.

Our Lady of Victories

The military victories at Lepanto (1571), La Rochelle (1627), and Vienna (1683) come to mind as great campaigns won through the intercessory power of Our Lady’s Rosary. More recently, Our Lady saved Austria from Soviet enslavement after World War II. A priest named Father Petrus Vavlochek organized a Rosary procession led by Federal Chancellor Figl, who carried a Rosary in one hand and a candle in the other. In addition, more than 700,000 Austrians pledged to pray the daily Rosary as requested by Our Lady of Fatima. The result? On May 13, 1955, the anniversary of Our Lady’s first Fatima apparition, the Soviets agreed to Austria’s independence. They withdrew from the country altogether the following October, the month of the Holy Rosary and the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun.

In Brazil, the Communist regime of President Goulart came to an end when the Catholic women of that nation saw to it that 600,000 people marched through São Paolo praying the Rosary and singing hymns. Realizing that a Communist revolution was impossible in Brazil, Goulart fled the country.

Accounts like this are manifold. Mary’s loving response to her children’s prayers through the Holy Rosary is not merely a thing of history, though. A dear and learned teacher of mine often says of God’s Providence, “it is not something to be studied in a book; we study it in our own lives!” The same is true of the Blessed Virgin’s power of intercession, which is coterminus with God’s Providence.

The Hungarian confessor of the Faith, Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty, had this to say of what we can expect from the Rosary: “Give me a million families with Rosaries in their hands, uplifted to Mary. They will be a military power, not against other people, but for all mankind.... Let us, therefore, take the Rosary from family to family. With it in our hands, we shall conquer ourselves, convert sinners, do penance for our country, and will certainly move the merciful, mild, and benevolent Heart of Mary.”

And can we not move her maternal Heart to the conversion of our own Republic?

Fatima

The Fatima message urges us to pray the Rosary daily for peace. We should point out that “peace” is not simply an absence of war, but “the tranquility of order,” something far higher. (It is the very thing we pray for in the above mentioned Act of Dedication.”) Only the Faith and the virtues that accompany it (especially infused justice and charity) can give a nation order. It is, therefore, fitting that the Fatima message speaks of both peace and the conversion of Russia. As unconverted Russia was the fomenter of war, so her conversion will be a harbinger of peace. The revival of the Cold War and Russia’s growing militarism should catch our attention. In 1957, Sister Lucy said, “Russia will be the instrument of chastisement chosen by Heaven to punish the whole world if we do not beforehand obtain the conversion of that poor nation.”

Russia is not yet converted.

Padre Pio

Our Lady promised that Russia would convert, but what of our America? Without any apology, I will use Saint Pio of Pietrelcina as an authentic commentator on the Fatima message. The prophetical friar was doubtless possessed of more than an earthly sagacity when he uttered this: “The Russian people will be converted. Their total conversion will happen very fast. The conversion of the United States will be slow, but sure” (Padre Pio: The True Story, by C. Bernard Ruffin, p. 264). On another occasion, the stigmatist said, “Russia will be converted, as the Blessed Virgin said she would. However, Russia will teach the United States a lesson in conversion” (ibid., p. 266, emphasis mine in both passages). If I read these passages correctly, it seems evident that Russia’s Fatima-promised, prodigious conversion will herald that of the U.S.

Recall that Our Lady called herself by one title only at Fatima: “I am Our Lady of the Rosary.” In light of the above, that should tell us something of the role of the Rosary in the conversion of both Russia and the U.S. to Christ the King.

Let the Campaign Begin

This past October 13, the TFP organized over 2,000 Rosary Rallies to honor Our Lady on the ninetieth anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun. An impressive showing for a special occasion. But why stop at that? We can take advantage of the forward momentum. As the month of the Holy Rosary draws to a close, we should not sheath this spiritual weapon Heaven has placed in our hands. As confirmed soldiers of Christ, we should brandish it about a bit more — unto a complete victory — a Catholic America. Regular Rosary rallies or Rosary processions are simple to organize (click the links to see how simple). They are also a powerful witness to our Faith, our love of the Blessed Virgin, and our desire to save our Republic. Priests, religious, and laity; children, teens, and the elderly — all can participate in a prayerful enthusiasm for a cause both Catholic and patriotic.

How different the world would be if the American superpower were under the sweet yoke of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King!

[NYer]

Fans of Fr. John Corapi have often heard him refer to the Rosary as a weapon. Last year, at a St. Joseph Covenant Keepers’ event (in Fr. Worth, TX), Father John Corapi said . . .

The most difficult part of starting a prayer journey is taking the first step . . .
Just Do It!

During his first Saturday morning talk, the priest, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, explored Marian devotion by dispelling commonly held misconceptions. Protestants wrongly believe that Catholics worship Mary, and even practicing members of the faith discount praying to Mary, because, “Jesus is all that matters.”

“That’s what Mary thinks,” Fr. Corapi said, agreeing with the latter statement in an ironic fashion. “The Virgin Mary has one thing in mind. — bringing you closer to her son. All authentic Marian devotion begins with Jesus Christ, centers on Jesus Christ, and ends with Jesus Christ. So don’t be afraid of it.”

An allegiance to Mary is something the priest has shared with audiences since his first guest appearance on EWTN’s “Mother Angelica Live” many years ago. At the end of the program, his interviewer asked a compelling question: If he had one thing to say to millions of people, what would it be?

“I could have said a lot of good things,” Fr. Corapi explained, remembering he could have asked listeners to read the Bible, make a holy hour, or build a church. “What I said was ‘pray the rosary,’ and I’d give the same reply today. When you say the rosary, you do all those other things.”

The prayer of the rosary is so powerful because it’s the prayer of the Gospel. It’s an argument the Catholic apologist uses to explain the uniquely Catholic practice to members of other Christian denominations.

“When they listen, they can’t dispute it, and many of them end up praying the rosary. I’ve gotten Southern Baptist pastors to pray the rosary this way,” he confided to the amused audience. “They do it because they’re good men who love God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible. It makes sense.”

[diamond6]

bttt

[dsc]

When I pray the Rosary, my alleged mind often drifts off the mystery to be contemplated.

I wonder if that invalidates...well, things. Makes that Rosary not count, or count less.

[Talking_Mouse]

When I pray the Rosary, my alleged mind often drifts off the mystery to be contemplated.

I wonder if that invalidates...well, things. Makes that Rosary not count, or count less.

As soon as you realize your mind is drifting bring it back to the mystery. This is how to learn discipline. As long as you are truly trying to keep your mind on the mystery the Lord Jesus is pleased.

As for counting less, lets use an analogy. What does a mom enjoy more, the boutique of flowers in a vase that her child has picked for her or the professional arrangement? When I think about how very imperfect my rosaries are I keep coming back to the fact that I am trying to please Our Lady by praying her rosary, and an imperfect rosary is much better than no rosary at all.

[dsc]

It has been said that the prayers of a righteous man fly to heaven like arrows.

I figure mine lurch like a three-legged rino with a thorn in one of his remaining feet.

[AliVeritas]

[TASMANIANRED]

Mine too but they get there...It’s all that counts.

No prayer is ever wasted.

[tiki]

Mothers are happier with weeds even. It truly is the thought that counts.

[tiki]

That made me laugh.

Seriously though, since I strongly resemble your rhino, I like to believe that God has pity on me knowing my shortcomings. My will is to make a beautiful prayer but my ability falls short BUT when I DO make a beautiful prayer, I know that the Holy Spirit gave it to me.

[dsc]

“I like to believe that God has pity on me “

Yeah, I believe it, too.

[NYer]

As soon as you realize your mind is drifting bring it back to the mystery. This is how to learn discipline. As long as you are truly trying to keep your mind on the mystery the Lord Jesus is pleased.

Like freeper 'dsc', my mind often wanders and I agree with TM that the best practice is to use discipline to return to the meditation. Fr. Corapi, when asked about this, told the listeners to 'offer it up'.

BTW - a while back, another freeper commented that we should offer up the first decade to the intentions of our Blessed Mother, and I have done that ever since. The 2nd decade, I always offer up for those who have asked for my prayers. And the rest, of course, are all devoted to the Holy Father, the Patriarch, the Bishop, my pastor, the parishioners, my living and deceased relatives and friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even total strangers. At this stage of my life, I am beginning to regret not becoming a contemplative nun :-)

God bless you both in your prayer life.

[Salvation]

If you are drfting along with the happenings in that mystery, I would say that your Rosary means more.

For example, I always do this — Institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The Fifth Luminous Mystery
The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
Our Father
1. When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage 2 on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. 3 Untie them and bring them here to me. (Matthew 21:1-2 - Hail Mary

2. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (Mark 11:8-9) - Hail Mary

3. When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” (Mark 14:17-18) - Hail Mary

4. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. (John 13:5) - Hail Mary

5. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” (Mark 14,22) - Hail Mary

6. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, 16 and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28) - Hail Mary

7. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. . (Matthew 26:29-30) - Hail Mary

8. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. (John 6, 35) - Hail Mary

9. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (John 6,54-55) Hail Mary

10. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 1:,12-13) - Hail Mary

[Salvation]

**BTW - a while back, another freeper commented that we should offer up the first decade to the intentions of our Blessed Mother**

I believe there might be a special indulgence for praying for the Intentions of the Pope also.

[dsc]

Unfortunately, my mind drifts entirely off the mysteries.

[Salvation]

Mine used to do that too. Then I found these — and I try to concentrate on each one then say the Hail Mary. It usually works. But not always.

[dsc]

“Then I found these”

These?

[Salvation]

Good to see you posting. Did you have to evacuate? How are you anyway?

[Salvation]

The meditative luminous mysteries.