May
6
The “New Springtime” of the Rosary
May 6, 2008 |
I’ve heard stories of how families used to gather around a statue of Mary every night during the month of May and pray the Rosary. While I don’t think my little ones are ready for us to kick off this family practice, I am amazed that the May family rosary seems to have been ditched in today’s society. How can a family not be united when they are joining their voices as one before our Blessed Mother?
In any case, I ran across a Vatican Information Service report on the Holy Father’s leading the Rosary at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Saturday.
The article relates some incredible comments made by the Holy Father about the timelessness of the Rosary and how the Rosary is a devotion for today’s world.
“In the experience of my generation”, he said, “May evenings evoke pleasant memories of vespertine appointments to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. … Today we together confirm that the holy Rosary is not some pious practice relegated to the past, a prayer of distant times to be thought of nostalgically. Indeed, the Rosary is experiencing what is almost a new springtime”.
And about how it is especially needed today.
“In the modern world which is so dispersive, this prayer helps us to place Christ at the centre, as did the Virgin who meditated upon everything that was said about her Son and upon what He Himself did and said.”
How and why we should pray it.
“The Rosary”, the Pope added, “when it is prayed in an authentic manner - not mechanically and superficially, but profoundly - brings peace and reconciliation. It contains the healing power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, invoked with faith and love at the heart of each Hail Mary.”
He then tied the Rosary into the Pentecost.
Benedict XVI then called on those present to ensure they remained united to Mary during these days leading up to Pentecost, “invoking a renewed effusion of the Holy Spirit for the Church.”
It’s May - it’s the Month of Mary - let’s make these precious beads and this devotion to our Mother a central part of our faith and an indispensable part of our lives. And let’s get our families in on the act. Let us join together as families to show our love for Mary.
Painting: Madonna of the Rosary - Michelangelo Caravaggio (Italy, 1571-1610)
