Mary & the Rosary

The late Fr. Frederick Jelly, O.P., a renowned Mariologist, spoke about the Rosary as an ecumenical prayer. This surprised me because I knew from firsthand experience how some of the more fundamentalist Protestants could rail against it. He mentioned a book or article which I have struggled to find called, “Lutherans and the Rosary” where the author makes a defense of the Marian prayer for Protestants. I found this interesting because their confession since Augsburg was that it was worthless babbling. Attempts to give Scripture citations and Scripture quotes with the mysteries of the Rosary are no doubt an attempt to help in our meditation and to make it more palpable to non-Catholic Christians. Nevertheless, the prayers directed toward Mary and the two Marian assertions are still difficult for many of our separated brethren. I have vigorously objected to efforts in revisionist circles to alter and subtract the offending mysteries, notably the Assumption and the Coronation. Mary is a sign for the Church and our hope as believers to share in the resurrected life of Christ. This is not negotiable. As for the crowning, this speaks more about Jesus than about Mary. We celebrate Christ as our king and we all hope for a share in his kingdom. If this is the case, then Mary is certainly crowned as the Queen Mother. Indeed, all who are baptized in faith are made heirs of the kingdom, part of the royal family and household of God. This is also something that cannot be dismissed.

Those who would cast aside the Rosary as antiquated, probably have nothing better with which to replace it. In any case, just because something is old does not mean it no longer has value. The bible itself is thousands of years old and yet it speaks a message that is ever fresh and powerful to new generations. Many religions have prayer beads, like the Moslems, Hindus and Buddhists. They become revered as sacred objects because of the use to which they are given. If necessity demanded, you could pray the Rosary on your fingers. The beads are simply a counting device. Abbot Paul (Egypt d. 341 AD) used small rocks or pebbles that he would drop to the ground as he completed his daily prayers. The Eastern Church once used a chord with knots for a similar purpose. While paternosters (or Our Fathers) were the prayers often recited on beads; the recitation of multiple Aves (or Hail, Marys) became popular in the early middle ages. Often attributed to St. Dominic, the Rosary actually seemed to evolve naturally in the Church. But certainly this prayer of the people has been promoted and safeguarded by the sons of St. Dominic, the Dominicans. Popes, including our current one, have encouraged it as a way to bring about true holiness and conversion. Along with the Mass and the sacrament of penance, it is seen as an antidote to many of the ills facing modern men and women. The object of various apparitions, it has also been urged as the spiritual munitions against tyranny and communism.

At the Cross, Jesus says to his disciple John, “Behold, your mother!” And we read further “And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” We can discern several things from this. First, that the so-called brothers and sisters of Christ in the Scriptures were probably cousins, but in any case were not Mary’s offspring. Note that never once is she called the mother of anyone other than Jesus. If she had other immediate sons and daughters, they would have been given charge to care for her. However, she is given to John. He is our representative, receiving Mary on the behalf of the whole Church. The mother of the Redeemer had become the mother of all the Redeemed. Catholics have never forgotten her privileged place in the community of faith and in the story of salvation. Despite the critics who argue that we should only approach Jesus directly and without assistance, the Church seeks her intercession and that of all the saints. We are a spiritual family. Only dysfunctional families avoid their mothers and refuse to speak with them. Jesus has invited us into the household of God. He is our elder brother in faith. We are adopted sons and daughters to our heavenly Father. Mary, the mother of our Lord, is now the spiritual mother of many sons and daughters.

It was fashionable some years ago for people to purchase “worry stones,” really just small polished stones. Certain psychologists argued for their therapeutic benefit, rubbing the stone when anxious and imagining your negative feelings transferring to the stone. The use of such worry stones actually goes back to ancient Greece, and finds a place in Celtic tradition. Unfortunately, the whole business today is occult and linked to pagan worship, masquerading as pseudo science. While it may satisfy a human need, the Christian should not play with the naturalistic religion of Wicca or dabble in any revised Druid cult. New Age religion has also exploited them. It is much better for the Christian to hand over his worries with those stones or beads that make up the Rosary. It centers our minds and hearts upon the promises of Christ when otherwise we would be bombarded with thoughts of fear and of anger. It helps us to find release while keeping some semblance of control in difficult situations. Of course, the Rosary is not a prayer to which we should resort only in time of crisis. However, if it is to be effective, then its recitation should be second nature to us—a constant companion for daily prayer.

How many mothers have found confidence in the Rosary upon the loss of a loved one? Mary knew what it was to lose her Son. But, she stands there with courage and faith at the Cross. The Rosary is a prayer that manifests our solidarity with God and his abiding love for us.

I remember my poor invalid father. A series of small strokes had made him bedridden. His speech had become increasingly slurred. Because the strokes had affected his ability to swallow (actually a valve failed and food and water sometimes went down his air passage) a feeding tube was placed in his stomach. The hookup never worked and we had to squeeze the paste into his body. He wore diapers and my poor mother, much smaller than Daddy would struggle to change them as much a twelve or thirteen times a day. My father had always been a strong hard-working man. This was his hell on earth, or as he used to say, “My purgatory”. He had kept a rosary in the car to pray while he waited for Mom in the grocery store each week. Now, he had a Rosary on his bedpost. His fingers had increased trouble manipulating the beads. Finally, I had a lady produce a Rosary from the wooden beads used in automobile seat covers. The Rosary was huge. Even when Daddy’s mind began to cloud and it was difficult to pray, he held on to his Rosary with fervent trust in God’s mercy and love. When Daddy passed, this same simple but large wooden Rosary was placed in his hands as his body rested in the casket. His Rosary was the envy of many aging friends who came to pay their respects. It was not something that could be hidden. Its appearance announced to all that it was not a quickly bought ornament to adorn the casket but a relic of faith that had taken a disciple home to God.