Why pray the Rosary every day for a year?


Each time the Blessed Virgin has appeared-- whether it be to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes; to Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco at Fatima; or to Mariette Beco at Banneux-- she has asserted the importance, saving grace, and power of praying the Holy Rosary on a daily basis. Based upon her words, the Rosary is penance and conversion for sinners, a pathway to peace, an end to war, and a powerful act of faith in Jesus Christ. Pope Paul VI presented the Rosary as a powerful means to reach Christ "not merely with Mary but indeed, insofar as this is possible to us, in the same way as Mary, who is certainly the one who thought about Him more than anyone else has ever done."

To show us how this is done, perhaps no one has been more eloquent than the great Cardinal Newman, who wrote: "The great power of the Rosary consists in the fact that it translates the Creed into Prayer. Of course, the Creed is already in a certain sense a prayer and a great act of homage towards God, but the Rosary brings us to meditate again on the great truth of His life and death, and brings this truth close to our hearts. Even Christians, although they know God, usually fear rather than love Him. The strength of the Rosary lies in the particular manner in which it considers these mysteries, since all our thinking about Christ is intertwined with the thought of His Mother, in the relations between Mother and Son; the Holy Family is presented to us, the home in which God lived His infinite love."

As Mary said at Fatima, "Jesus wants to use you to make Me known and loved. He wishes to establish the devotion to My Immaculate Heart throughout the world. I promise salvation to whoever embraces it; these souls will be dear to God, like flowers put by Me to adorn his throne."



October 2: Saint Leger of Autun

Posted by Jacob

Today, October 2, we celebrate the feast of Saint Leger (also known as Saint Leodegar, 615-679), bishop of Autun (France), advisor to Regent Saint Bathildis, and martyr of the Church.  Saint Leger is remembered for his conviction in the faith, his commitment to reform, and his unwavering proclamation of the Good News of Christ-- activites that eventually earned him the crown of Martyrdom.


Leger was born of Franco-German nobility, son of Sigrada (who later became a nun). Due to his rank and station, he was raised at the court of King Clotaire II, and when old enough, moved from Paris to Poitiers to be instructed in the ways of the faith by his uncle, Bishop Desiderius of Poitiers. Following completion of his studies, and his ordination, Saint Leger was elevated to archdeacon by his uncle, and in 651, assumed the abbotship of Saint Maxentius Abbey in Poitou. There he enacted great reform, and introduced the Rule of Saint Benedict.

At this time in history, there was great conflict in what is modern-day Austria, and Saint Leger was summoned to the aid of Queen Regent Saint Bathildis. He assisted her and helped her govern following the death of King Clovis II in 656, and was eventually named Bishop of Autun in 663. As bishop, he continued his steady and unwavering commitment to reform, reconciling factions that had taken political sides and drifted from the unified See. He further instructed clergy, reforming their unvirtuous ways, and demonstrated great charity for the poor, establishing numerous social aid agencies throughout the region. He further instructed the clergy in the importance of the sacraments, especially baptism, which had grown lax among the faithful.

In 675, Saint Leger was arrested at Autun for speaking out against the immoral marriage of the king to his first cousin, holding the Church position on marriage and denouncing the wicked ways of the royal court. He was eventually banished to Luxeuil, and following several changes in government, was tortured and killed. Saint Leger was first blinded, his lips cut off, and his tongue pulled out. Imprisoned and disfigured, after two years, Saint Leger was summoned to court, deposed, and executed by beheading at Sarcing.

In 782, his relics were translated from the site of his death Sarcing (Artois) to the site of the Abbey of Saint Maxentius, where he had first served as Abbot. Later they were removed to Rennes and then to Ebreuil, which took the name of Saint-Léger in his honor. Some relics are still kept in the cathedral of Autun and the Grand Séminaire of Soissons, where they are venerated today. A plaque at the church reads:
St. Leodegar 616-678,
Bishop of Autun.
Burgundian statesman and peacemaker
Just judge and friend of the poor.
A victim of intrigue
blinded and murdered for his faith.

While we know very little about the life of Saint Leger, what we do know is that he was a man of faith and conviction, working steadily toward reform, and using his position and influence to bring those in his jurisdiction to Christ. Saint Leger did his best to avoid the political controversies of the times, remaining relatively neutral, and supporting the Church, the Holy See, and enacting great reforms. A victim of the political motivations of others, this holy man was executed for upholding and proclaiming the Word of God. We pray today for his courage and steadfastness, in light of the many distractions we encounter, and criticisms we endure for our faith. Saint Leger, pray for us!

Lord, I know that doubt and uncertainty impose fear while faith and assurance develops a calm, trusting spirit.  I do not look to the world for strength or encouragement but I look to Your Word where I am convinced that You will protect and guard that which You have entrusted to me until the day when Christ will come to judge all people and take us to live in heaven.  By the empowerment of Your indwelling Holy Spirit help me to boldly stand when the world and even those close to me assaults my faith. It is in Your strength and through Your power that I remain faithful though tested by fire.  May the purifying of my faith, worth more than gold, bring praise, glory and honor to Jesus my Lord and Saviour.  Amen.

Year 2: Day 275 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Courage, Steadfastness, Endurance, Conviction.
Requested Intentions: Healing of a chronic illness (P); Safety of a family during storms (A); Successful home ownership (P); Healing of a marriage (M); Employment for a husband, blessings for a marriage (E); Successful examinations for a daughter, healing of a relationships (V); Blessing for a family (V); Healing of baby girl M and all children suffering (M); Special intentions (R); Business success, peace, health (E); Conversion and deliverance of those who suffer, increase in vocations (M); Financial security and safe housing (M); For a daughter (K); Conversion of a family, deliverance of the souls in Purgatory (S); Successful marriage (A); Health, safety, grace, success of a building project (A); Successful treatment and recovery from cancer (D); Clear speech for a child (C); Conversion of a family (A); Successful employment (S); For the healing of impaired vision (F); For a couple experiencing difficulties (L); Successful employment after finishing college (M); Mother’s health (A); Financial security, freedom from anxiety (S); For a son and cousins (L); Peace and civility (B); Successful examination results (D); Safety of family, strength, courage, wisdom (C); For the souls of a departed father and brother, finding of a suitable marriage partner (R); Successful pilgrimage, deepening of prayer life (R); Restoration of health (J); Restoration of health (S); Freedom from pride (A); For children and marriage (M); For the birth of a healthy baby (Y); For personal family intentions, for the sick, poor, hungry, and homeless (G).

| Labels: , , , ,

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment. If you wish to submit a prayer request, however, please do so above, using the "Contact" tab.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)