Rosaries

I wish to dwell on this pious practice, so deeply rooted in the heart of Christian people and so strongly urged by my predecessors, who encouraged in dissemination, expounding on the theological and spiritual aspect of it, as a prayer of both praise and supplication. Pope Leo XIII wrote in his Encyclical Octobri Mense: “The contemplation of these august Mysteries, contemplated in their order, affords to faithful souls a wonderful confirmation of faith, protection against the disease of error, and increase of the strength of the soul.”

To recite the Rosary in fact means enrolling in the school of Mary and learning from her, the Mother and Disciple of Christ, how to live deeply and fully the requirements of Christian faith – she was the first believer, the first to have an ecclesial life, she who in the Upper Room was the center of unity and love among the first Disciples of her Son. Reciting the Holy Rosary is not a matter of repeating formulas but, rather, of entering into confidential conversation with Mary, speaking to her, showing her our hopes, confiding our pain, opening our heart to her, declaring to her our willingness to accept the plan of God, promising faithfulness to her in all circumstances, and especially those which are difficult and painful, sure of her protection and certain that she will obtain for us from her Son the grace necessary for our salvation.

In fact, in reciting the Holy Rosary we contemplate Christ for a privileged perspective, that is, from the perspective of Mary, his Mother; we meditate on the Mysteries of the life, the Passion, and the Resurrection of the Lord with the eyes and the heart of she who was closest to her Son. We are diligent in reciting the Rosary both in the ecclesial community and in the intimacy of our families: with the repeated invocations, it will unite hearts, rekindle the domestic hearth, fortify our hope, and obtain for all the peace and joy of Christ who was born, died and rose for us.

Pope John Paul II
October 2, 1988