Shining a Spotlight on the Rosary

Remember, October is the Month of the Rosary because, by its power, the Turkish jihad was defeated at Lepanto in 1571. 

From Catholic Stand

By John Kubasak

The titles of Mary in the Litany of Loreto shine a spotlight on the mysteries of the rosary. And once we experience fruitful times of prayer with the rosary, our whole opinion of it can change.

The Litany came into usage in the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages and was officially enshrined in 1583. Although we may not call it that anymore, the litany to Our Lady is in use to the present day. The litany lists titles that honor the Blessed Mother and aspects of her life.

St. John Henry Newman wrote reflections on the titles of Our Lady in the Litany of Loreto, writing one reflection for each day in May. His thoughts provide depth to the life and person of Mary and, by extension, they also enrich the mysteries of the rosary. Even to the most fervent Catholic, the rosary can sometimes be a dry prayer. Having reflections like Newman’s can refresh the soul.

Here are some quotes from Newman’s reflections on the Litany of Loreto. (Not every mystery of the rosary is addressed, so I encourage reading the whole series, available free on Newman Reader.)

The Annunciation

“[The Queen of the Angels] may be fitly connected with the Maternity of Mary… she, as the Mother of our Lord, comes nearer to Him than any angel; nearer even than the Seraphim who surround Him, and cry continually, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’” (May 10)

This note of Mary being higher in the ranks of heaven than even the angels is a good reminder of Mary’s role. For all her gifts, virtue, and holiness, it is all possible because those things came from Christ. That is, her unconventional redemption had the same source as ours.

The Birth of Jesus

“And what can be more consoling and joyful than the wonderful promises which follow from this truth, that Mary is the Mother of God?—the great wonder, namely, that we become the brethren of our God; that, if we live well, and die in the grace of God, we shall all of us hereafter be taken up by our Incarnate God to that place where angels dwell; that our bodies shall be raised from the dust, and be taken to Heaven; that we shall be really united to God; that we shall be partakers of the Divine nature; that each of us, soul and body, shall be plunged into the abyss of glory which surrounds the Almighty; that we shall see Him, and share His blessedness.” (May 14)

Taking in the big picture is great fruit for meditation. It is impossible to take in all the promises of God at once. He heaps grace upon grace for all eternity!

Zoom in then, from the big picture to the house of a young woman in Nazareth. Jesus could have saved us in any way, but He chose to become one of us. The Incarnation involves us when God did not need us. Jesus becoming man opens redemption to us in a far more intimate way. More than one mystery of the rosary touches on this list that St. John Henry Newman provides.

Finding in the Temple

“Moses had the privilege only now and then, from time to time; but Mary for thirty continuous years saw and heard Him, being all through that time face to face with him, and being able to ask Him any question which she wished explained, and knowing that the answers she received were from the Eternal God, who neither deceives nor can be deceived.” (May 12)

After Mary and Joseph found the young Jesus in the Temple, they returned to Nazareth and lived in peace for many years. Jesus lived with them in obscurity until His public ministry. Who would have known Jesus better than His mother? Newman highlights this amazing result of the Incarnation. Think of all the conversations, discussing the Scriptures on the way home from synagogue, and the family’s prayer time!

Then consider: Jesus wants this same type of intimate sharing with every person. Mary wants the same for us as well! From the small details of our life to the bigger conversations, Jesus’ love for us is so immense that He wants to hear it all.

Assumption

“If her body was not taken into heaven, where is it? how comes it that it is hidden from us? why do we not hear of her tomb as being here or there? . . . why are not relics producible of her, as of the saints in general? Is it not even a natural instinct which makes us reverent towards the places where our dead are buried?

“. . . Thus, from the first to this day it has been a great feature and characteristic of the Church to be most tender and reverent towards the bodies of the Saints. Now, if there was anyone who more than all would be preciously taken care of, it would be our Lady. Why then do we hear nothing of the Blessed Virgin’s body and its separate relics? Why is she thus the hidden Rose? Is it conceivable that they who had been so reverent and careful of the bodies of the Saints and Martyrs should neglect her—her who was the Queen of Martyrs and the Queen of Saints, who was the very Mother of our Lord? It is impossible. Why then is she thus the hidden Rose? Plainly because that sacred body is in heaven, not on earth.” (May 26)

Some Catholics have a hard time responding to the allegation that the Assumption is not  recorded in Scripture. Catholics have the three-legged stool of Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium in response to this allegation. Other answers come from apologetics.

Belief in the Assumption is an important thing for us, as this is a dogma of the Catholic faith. This is not an optional belief. Newman uses reasoning to help us come to belief.

Coronation

“It is Mary’s prerogative to be the Morning Star, which heralds in the sun. She does not shine for herself, or from herself, but she is the reflection of her and our Redeemer, and she glorifies Him. When she appears in the darkness, we know that He is close at hand. He is Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Behold He comes quickly, and His reward is with Him, to render to everyone according to his works. ‘Surely I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.’” (May 31)

We can rejoice along with Our Lady in her crowning as queen of heaven and earth. Why? In heaven, her union with God is supernaturally greater than it was on earth. Her Son has sent her to earth to exhort us to conversion and prayer. From the angels to Mary to the rest of the saints, they share in God’s eternal love for us. They root for us, pray for us, call us to Our Lord, and are closer to us than our eyes would let us believe.

Resources on the Rosary

Mary herself has asked us to say the rosary every day, most notably at Fatima. We should take her word for it, but there are other good reasons, too. Our Lady made 15 promises to those who say the rosary. And the miracles! Miracles do happen with the rosary, perhaps none quite as dramatic as at the Battle of Lepanto, which gave us the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

The Rosary Center (an apostolate of the Dominicans) has simple instructions to get started. For the easily distracted among us, there are a few variations of the Scriptural rosary. The Rosary Center has a series of one-sentence reflections to be said before each Hail Mary (Joyful Mysteries here).

For those interested in reading more, I recommend a few things. Fr. Don Calloway released a good book, Champions of the Rosary, that contains history of the rosary, testimonies, as well as apostles of the rosary throughout Church history. His accompanying talk is in his typical down-to-earth style. This list has many, many other book suggestions. Another great read is Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical on the rosary in 2002. His love of the rosary shines throughout the whole document.

Whoever helps in shining a spotlight on the rosary – whether St. John Henry Newman or others – seek assistance. The rosary has deep roots in the divine mysteries of our faith and has inestimable treasures to offer us.