TAKE IT PERSONALLY

I bet all of us would like the idea of having to make the right decisions in life. Sometimes we are confronted with so many confusing things that we are no longer sure of what to do. These can be avoided if we are always consulting God in prayer which endows divine assistance. It comes in the form of signal graces which are signs sent by God to help us in our life making decisions. It is not just signs but also divine assistance with all aspects of our life. Today we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. In view of this I would like to share the 15 promises of Mary to Christians who recite the Rosary. (Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche) Our favorite promise is #1 on the list - Signal Graces!

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary will 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 men 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. Those who recommend themselves 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 sons, and brothers of my only son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

This can also be found in the Pieta Prayer Book with an Imprimatur: Patrick J. Hayes, D.D., Archbishop of New York

If everyone knew about these promises, more people would be praying the rosary. Just like in today's 1st reading when they prayed altogether with Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Amen. Hallelujah!


Acts 1:12-14 (or Galatians 3:1-5)
...All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Today's readings are in no doubt pointing to Mary and her role in our relation to God. She has been given the singular grace to be the Mother of God. God in His generosity shared His mother to us thus we are all blessed to have by our side a loving mother who looks after her children. Amen. Hallelujah!




P S A L M
Luke 1:46-47, 48-49 50-51, 52-53, 54-55 (or Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75)
R: The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

46 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. (R) 48 For he has looked upon his lowly servant; from this day all generation will call me blessed.

There are famous stories that are very wonderful to tell that it continue to be spoken of throughout the length of time. It has been passed on from generation to generation and never lose the awe, wonder and mystery it holds for those who come to know it. There are some that never leave our memory and continue to inspire and give us hope. It serves as a driving force that keeps us going and lifts us up when we are down and out. These stories are a source of strength and courage at times when we feel like giving up. Today's gospel is about the story of how God came to save us. This is one story that we should take personally. It should never leave our hearts, minds and memories every waking moment of our lives. It is the greatest story, living and true, ever told. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 1:26-38 (or Luke 11:5-13)
26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.