The word Rosary comes from Latin and means a garland of roses, the rose being one of the flowers used to symbolize the Virgin Mary. The Rosary is most emblematic with Catholics, however many Protestants now pray the Rosary, recognizing it as a truly biblical form of prayer—after all, the prayers that compose it come mainly from the Bible.
Throughout history the Mother of God has appeared in various parts of the world (apparitions) and has asked that humanity recite the Rosary--her favorite prayer she gave to the world centuries ago. In essence, many consider it a meditation on the life of the Blessed Mother's divine Son, Jesus.
The Rosary is a graceful blend of vocal prayer the (Our Fathers & Hail Marys) and of mental prayer--contemplation on important events in the life of Christ and His Mother, via the decades (groupings of 10 beads) honoring Sacred Scripture (the written Bible, officially compiled in the 16th century by the Catholic Church at the Council of Trent) and Sacred Tradition (the oral teachings and traditions of the Apostles, handed down by the Church - cf. John 21:25, 1 Corinthians 11:2, and 2 Thessalonians 2:15). The introductory prayers: one Apostles’ Creed (Credo), one Our Father (the Pater Noster or the Lord’s Prayer), three Hail Marys (Aves), one Glory Be (Gloria Patri). The closing prayer, Hail Holy Queen is the most commonly recited prayer in praise of Mary after the Hail Mary itself, and was composed at the end of the 11th century. This beautiful rosary prayer is an inspiring and pious way to remember the life of Jesus under the gentle guidance of His Blessed Mother.
**The Apostles’ Creed is so called not because it was composed by the apostles themselves, but because it expresses their teachings. The original form of the creed came into use around A.D. 125, and the present form dates from the 400s.
**Traditional Protestants are able to recite the Apostles’ Creed without qualms, though to some lines they must give meanings different from those given by Catholics, who composed the creed. For instance, we refer to “the holy Catholic Church,” meaning a particular, identifiable Church on earth. Protestants typically reinterpret this to refer to an “invisible church” consisting of all “true believers” in Jesus. This is despite the fact that the term “Catholic” was already used to refer to a particular, visible Church by the second century and had already lost its broader meaning of “universal.”
**The line, "Pray for us sinners..." Paul instructs Christians to pray for each other, meaning it cannot interfere with Christ’s mediatorship: “I urge that prayers, supplications, petitions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone. . . . This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior.” We know this exhortation to pray for others applies to the saints in heaven who, as Revelation 5:8 reveals, intercede for us by offering our prayers to God: “The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Throughout history the Mother of God has appeared in various parts of the world (apparitions) and has asked that humanity recite the Rosary--her favorite prayer she gave to the world centuries ago. In essence, many consider it a meditation on the life of the Blessed Mother's divine Son, Jesus.
The Rosary is a graceful blend of vocal prayer the (Our Fathers & Hail Marys) and of mental prayer--contemplation on important events in the life of Christ and His Mother, via the decades (groupings of 10 beads) honoring Sacred Scripture (the written Bible, officially compiled in the 16th century by the Catholic Church at the Council of Trent) and Sacred Tradition (the oral teachings and traditions of the Apostles, handed down by the Church - cf. John 21:25, 1 Corinthians 11:2, and 2 Thessalonians 2:15). The introductory prayers: one Apostles’ Creed (Credo), one Our Father (the Pater Noster or the Lord’s Prayer), three Hail Marys (Aves), one Glory Be (Gloria Patri). The closing prayer, Hail Holy Queen is the most commonly recited prayer in praise of Mary after the Hail Mary itself, and was composed at the end of the 11th century. This beautiful rosary prayer is an inspiring and pious way to remember the life of Jesus under the gentle guidance of His Blessed Mother.
**The Apostles’ Creed is so called not because it was composed by the apostles themselves, but because it expresses their teachings. The original form of the creed came into use around A.D. 125, and the present form dates from the 400s.
**Traditional Protestants are able to recite the Apostles’ Creed without qualms, though to some lines they must give meanings different from those given by Catholics, who composed the creed. For instance, we refer to “the holy Catholic Church,” meaning a particular, identifiable Church on earth. Protestants typically reinterpret this to refer to an “invisible church” consisting of all “true believers” in Jesus. This is despite the fact that the term “Catholic” was already used to refer to a particular, visible Church by the second century and had already lost its broader meaning of “universal.”
**The line, "Pray for us sinners..." Paul instructs Christians to pray for each other, meaning it cannot interfere with Christ’s mediatorship: “I urge that prayers, supplications, petitions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone. . . . This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior.” We know this exhortation to pray for others applies to the saints in heaven who, as Revelation 5:8 reveals, intercede for us by offering our prayers to God: “The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
St. Dominic with The Blessed Mother
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Dominic in the 12th century and gave him the first Rosary. The original Rosary had 150 beads, the same number of Psalms in the Bible. Religious orders and many lay faithful, both then and now, recite the Psalms in the Divine Office, the official prayer of the Church, to mark the hours of the day, days of the week, and seasons of the year. People who were illiterate (the vast majority until modern times) thereby also could learn the Psalms by praying memorizing prayers on a string of 150 beads or knots, recalling the life of Our Lord and His Mother.
The prayers of the Rosary owe much to the Bible. The Our Father was dictated by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 6:9-13) and the Hail Mary derives from the Archangel Gabriel's greeting to Mary at the Annunciation, "Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee," (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth's greeting, "blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:42).
In the 15th century, a Carthusian monk divided the Rosary into fifteen groups of ten beads, or "decades", and a Dominican assigned Mysteries, or events in the life of Jesus or His mother, upon which to meditate for each decade. On October 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II, declared the “Year of the Rosary” and defined five new Mysteries from Jesus's public life. The new Mysteries brought a full Rosary to twenty decades.
The prayers of the Rosary owe much to the Bible. The Our Father was dictated by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 6:9-13) and the Hail Mary derives from the Archangel Gabriel's greeting to Mary at the Annunciation, "Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee," (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth's greeting, "blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:42).
In the 15th century, a Carthusian monk divided the Rosary into fifteen groups of ten beads, or "decades", and a Dominican assigned Mysteries, or events in the life of Jesus or His mother, upon which to meditate for each decade. On October 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II, declared the “Year of the Rosary” and defined five new Mysteries from Jesus's public life. The new Mysteries brought a full Rosary to twenty decades.
The Miraculous Medal
On the night of July 18, 1830, Sister Catherine Laboure, a novice nun in the Daughters of Charity at their Motherhouse in Paris, France, was awakened by her Guardian Angel and brought to the chapel. Seated on the left of the sanctuary was the Blessed Mother, who beckoned to Sister Catherine. The Blessed Mother warned that France and the world would suffer impending sorrow, but that at the altar "graces shall be showered upon you and upon all those who shall ask for them, rich or poor."
On November 27th, the Blessed Mother again appeared to Sister Catherine to show her the front and back design of a medal the Blessed Mother wished to have struck, which stated, "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!" The Blessed Mother appeared for a third and last time in December.
The medal was struck and devotion quickly spread, as many miraculous cures of body and soul were wrought through it, thus the name the "Miraculous Medal." Saint Catherine Laboure was canonized a saint on July 27, 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
On the night of July 18, 1830, Sister Catherine Laboure, a novice nun in the Daughters of Charity at their Motherhouse in Paris, France, was awakened by her Guardian Angel and brought to the chapel. Seated on the left of the sanctuary was the Blessed Mother, who beckoned to Sister Catherine. The Blessed Mother warned that France and the world would suffer impending sorrow, but that at the altar "graces shall be showered upon you and upon all those who shall ask for them, rich or poor."
On November 27th, the Blessed Mother again appeared to Sister Catherine to show her the front and back design of a medal the Blessed Mother wished to have struck, which stated, "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!" The Blessed Mother appeared for a third and last time in December.
The medal was struck and devotion quickly spread, as many miraculous cures of body and soul were wrought through it, thus the name the "Miraculous Medal." Saint Catherine Laboure was canonized a saint on July 27, 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, popularly known as “the Miraculous Medal”, was designed by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. No wonder, then that it wins such extraordinary graces for those who wear it and pray for the help and intercession of the Mother of God.
THE FIRST APPARITION
The story begins on the night of July 18-19, 1830. On the eve of the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, July 19, the Sister Superior spoke to the novices in the community of the Daughters of Charity in Paris about the virtues of their Holy Founder, St. Vincent de Paul, and gave each of them a piece of cloth from his surplice. Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labouré, a novice, earnestly prayed to Saint Vincent that she might with her own eyes see the mother of God.
She was convinced that she would see the Blessed Virgin Mary that very night; and in her conviction, Catherine fell asleep. Before long, she was awakened by a brilliant light and a small child before her, believed to be her guardian angel. "Sister Laboure, come to the Chapel; the Blessed Virgin awaits you."
Catherine replied: "We shall be discovered."
The little child smiled, "Do not be uneasy; it is half past eleven, everyone is sleeping... come, I am waiting for you." She rose quickly and dressed. The hall lights were burning. The locked chapel door swung open at the angel's touch. Amazed, Catherine found the Chapel ablaze with lights as if prepared for midnight Mass. Quickly she knelt at the communion rail, and suddenly she heard the rustle of a silk dress... the Blessed Virgin, in a blaze of glory, sat in the director's chair. The angel whispered: "The Blessed Mother wishes to speak with you."
Catherine rose, knelt beside the Blessed Mother and rested her hands in the Virgin's lap. Mary said:
"God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace to do what is necessary. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the world." A pain crossed the Virgin's face.
"Come to the foot of the altar. Graces will be shed on all, great and little, especially upon those who seek for them. You will have the protection of God and Saint Vincent. I always will have my eyes upon you. There will be much persecution. The cross will be treated with contempt. It will be hurled to the ground and blood will flow." Then after speaking for some time, the Lady like a fading shadow was gone.
Led by the child, Catherine left the Chapel up the corridor and returned to her place in the dormitory. The angel disappeared and as Catherine went to bed she heard the clock strike two.
THE SECOND APPARITION
Catherine lived the normal life of a novice of the Daughters of Charity until Advent. On Saturday, November 27, 1830, at 5:30 p.m., she retired to the Chapel with the other Sisters for evening meditation. Catherine heard the faint swish of silk; she recognized our Lady's signal. Raising her eyes to the main altar, she saw the beautiful Lady.
Mary was standing on what seemed to be half a globe and holding a golden globe in her hands as if offering it to heaven. On the globe was the word “France,” and our Lady explained that the globe represented the whole world, but especially France. The times were difficult in France then, especially for the poor who were unemployed and often refugees from the many wars of the time. Streaming from rings on Mary's fingers were rays of light. Mary explained the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained the rays and graces were available, but did not come because no one had asked for them.
The vision then changed to show our Lady standing on a globe with her arms now outstretched and with the dazzling rays of light still streaming from her fingers. Framing the figure was an inscription: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The vision turned and showed the design on the reverse side of the medal. Twelve stars encircled a large “M”, from which arose a cross. Below were two hearts with flames arising from them. One heart was encircled in thorns and the other was pierced by a sword.
The Virgin spoke, this time giving a direct order: "Have a medal struck as I have shown you. All who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.” Catherine asked how she was to have the medal struck. Mary replied that she was to go to her confessor, a Father Jean Marie Aladel, saying of this saintly priest: "He is my servant."
PROMULGATION
Catherine explained the entire series of apparitions to her confessor. Father Aladel at first did not believe Catherine. However, after two years, he finally went to the archbishop, who ordered two thousand medals struck on June 20, 1832. When Catherine received her share of these first medals from the hands of the priest she said, "Now it must be propagated."
The medals first were distributed in Paris. Almost immediately, the blessings that Mary had promised began to shower down on those who wore her Medal and the devotion to it that spread so swiftly was miraculous itself. Marvels of grace, health, peace, and spiritual prosperity followed in its wake. Before long, people were calling it the “Miraculous Medal”, with some of its greatest miracles being those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith. Yet Catherine never revealed to anyone else that it was she who received the vision of the Medal, until just before her death 47 years later. In 1836, a Canonical inquiry undertaken at Paris declared the apparitions to be genuine.
When our Blessed Mother gave the design of the medal to St. Catherine Labouré she said, “Now it must be given to the whole world and to every person.” The Association of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri, which provided this story, carries out our Lady’s request in offering a free Miraculous Medal and other sacramentals in their gift shop.
MEANING OF THE FRONT OF THE MEDAL
Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon a globe as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (cf. Genesis 3:15). The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave its design to Saint Catherine Labouré. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (referring to Mary’s sinlessness, i.e. “full of grace” and “blessed among women,”from Luke 1:28, and not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus). This dogma was proclaimed officially by the Church 24 years later in 1854 and confirmed by Our Lady herself to Bernadette at Lourdes, France in 1858 when the Blessed Mother stated there, “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
MEANING OF THE BACK OF THE MEDAL
The twelve stars refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. The stars also recall the vision of St. John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” The cross symbolizes Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interweaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us (cf. Luke 2:35).
THE FIRST APPARITION
The story begins on the night of July 18-19, 1830. On the eve of the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, July 19, the Sister Superior spoke to the novices in the community of the Daughters of Charity in Paris about the virtues of their Holy Founder, St. Vincent de Paul, and gave each of them a piece of cloth from his surplice. Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labouré, a novice, earnestly prayed to Saint Vincent that she might with her own eyes see the mother of God.
She was convinced that she would see the Blessed Virgin Mary that very night; and in her conviction, Catherine fell asleep. Before long, she was awakened by a brilliant light and a small child before her, believed to be her guardian angel. "Sister Laboure, come to the Chapel; the Blessed Virgin awaits you."
Catherine replied: "We shall be discovered."
The little child smiled, "Do not be uneasy; it is half past eleven, everyone is sleeping... come, I am waiting for you." She rose quickly and dressed. The hall lights were burning. The locked chapel door swung open at the angel's touch. Amazed, Catherine found the Chapel ablaze with lights as if prepared for midnight Mass. Quickly she knelt at the communion rail, and suddenly she heard the rustle of a silk dress... the Blessed Virgin, in a blaze of glory, sat in the director's chair. The angel whispered: "The Blessed Mother wishes to speak with you."
Catherine rose, knelt beside the Blessed Mother and rested her hands in the Virgin's lap. Mary said:
"God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace to do what is necessary. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the world." A pain crossed the Virgin's face.
"Come to the foot of the altar. Graces will be shed on all, great and little, especially upon those who seek for them. You will have the protection of God and Saint Vincent. I always will have my eyes upon you. There will be much persecution. The cross will be treated with contempt. It will be hurled to the ground and blood will flow." Then after speaking for some time, the Lady like a fading shadow was gone.
Led by the child, Catherine left the Chapel up the corridor and returned to her place in the dormitory. The angel disappeared and as Catherine went to bed she heard the clock strike two.
THE SECOND APPARITION
Catherine lived the normal life of a novice of the Daughters of Charity until Advent. On Saturday, November 27, 1830, at 5:30 p.m., she retired to the Chapel with the other Sisters for evening meditation. Catherine heard the faint swish of silk; she recognized our Lady's signal. Raising her eyes to the main altar, she saw the beautiful Lady.
Mary was standing on what seemed to be half a globe and holding a golden globe in her hands as if offering it to heaven. On the globe was the word “France,” and our Lady explained that the globe represented the whole world, but especially France. The times were difficult in France then, especially for the poor who were unemployed and often refugees from the many wars of the time. Streaming from rings on Mary's fingers were rays of light. Mary explained the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained the rays and graces were available, but did not come because no one had asked for them.
The vision then changed to show our Lady standing on a globe with her arms now outstretched and with the dazzling rays of light still streaming from her fingers. Framing the figure was an inscription: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The vision turned and showed the design on the reverse side of the medal. Twelve stars encircled a large “M”, from which arose a cross. Below were two hearts with flames arising from them. One heart was encircled in thorns and the other was pierced by a sword.
The Virgin spoke, this time giving a direct order: "Have a medal struck as I have shown you. All who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.” Catherine asked how she was to have the medal struck. Mary replied that she was to go to her confessor, a Father Jean Marie Aladel, saying of this saintly priest: "He is my servant."
PROMULGATION
Catherine explained the entire series of apparitions to her confessor. Father Aladel at first did not believe Catherine. However, after two years, he finally went to the archbishop, who ordered two thousand medals struck on June 20, 1832. When Catherine received her share of these first medals from the hands of the priest she said, "Now it must be propagated."
The medals first were distributed in Paris. Almost immediately, the blessings that Mary had promised began to shower down on those who wore her Medal and the devotion to it that spread so swiftly was miraculous itself. Marvels of grace, health, peace, and spiritual prosperity followed in its wake. Before long, people were calling it the “Miraculous Medal”, with some of its greatest miracles being those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith. Yet Catherine never revealed to anyone else that it was she who received the vision of the Medal, until just before her death 47 years later. In 1836, a Canonical inquiry undertaken at Paris declared the apparitions to be genuine.
When our Blessed Mother gave the design of the medal to St. Catherine Labouré she said, “Now it must be given to the whole world and to every person.” The Association of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri, which provided this story, carries out our Lady’s request in offering a free Miraculous Medal and other sacramentals in their gift shop.
MEANING OF THE FRONT OF THE MEDAL
Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon a globe as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (cf. Genesis 3:15). The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave its design to Saint Catherine Labouré. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (referring to Mary’s sinlessness, i.e. “full of grace” and “blessed among women,”from Luke 1:28, and not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus). This dogma was proclaimed officially by the Church 24 years later in 1854 and confirmed by Our Lady herself to Bernadette at Lourdes, France in 1858 when the Blessed Mother stated there, “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
MEANING OF THE BACK OF THE MEDAL
The twelve stars refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. The stars also recall the vision of St. John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” The cross symbolizes Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interweaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us (cf. Luke 2:35).
|
|
