Lately, I've discovered the beauty of the Rosary. That is, I actually...enjoy praying it now. Not that I ever disliked it, but it was never on my list of enjoyable things to do. But now, I love it. When I'm frustrated or annoyed, the Rosary never fails to cheer me up. When I can't fall asleep, praying the Rosary never fails to put me to sleep almost right away. I really fell in love with it last December...

I was on my way to the hospital. My uncle Gil was dying, and me and my family were going to say goodbye to him. I hadn't seen him in a few years, but I adored him. When I was little, he used to compliment me on all my pretty dresses, saying I was his princess. As we got nearer to the hospital, I became more and more terrified, terrified that I would cry. I did not want to cry in front of him, I wanted to smile and enjoy my last moments with him. Nevertheless, knowing myself, I was absolutely certain that a torrent of tears was on its way. I could feel them already. So, I reached into my purse, took out my rosary and prayed with all my heart for Mary and Jesus to give me courage and strength. I ended it just as I walked into uncle Gil's room. I peeked in. There, lying on the bed, surrounded by his family, was a frail, little man, looking nothing like the big jolly Santa-like man I remembered. Usually, that very sight alone would have caused me to started weeping. But it didn't. I managed to hold myself together for the whole hour and a half that we were there. I talked to him, listened to him, and watched him. I chatted with his daughters, who used to babysit me, but now had children of their own! When it was time to go, I almost cried, but managed to smile, hold his hand and tell him I loved him before I walked out of the room. It wasn't until we were halfway home that I started crying. And while I hate to cry, I was grateful that God had given me the strength to hold on until we had left. When we got home though, I went into my room and spent a good half-hour sobbing.


(Interestingly enough, when we went to his funeral, I didn't cry at all. I got tears in my eyes a few times, but I never felt the urge to cry. It was mostly because, all I could think of was how peaceful he was. He talked about going to Heaven, and how much better it would be because he wouldn't be in pain anymore, and he's be watching us now. While I miss him terribly, I know he's so much happier up there than he could ever be here.)

The word Rosary means Crown of Roses. The Rosary is a gift from Mary to mankind.

The 15 promises of Mary;

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive powerful graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.