John Paul II Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae
#43 I look to you brothers and sisters of every state of life, to you Christian families, to you the sick and elderly, and to young people: confidently take up the Rosary once again. Rediscover the Rosary in light of the Scriptures, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives.
We shall return to this very packed quote. I initially offer it as a modern pope encouraging all to pray the Rosary.
IV Indulgences for Rosary
A plenary indulgence is granted for reciting five decades of the Rosary in a Catholic church or a family group, religious group or pious association. A partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances.) The five decades must be recited continuously. The vocal recitation must be accompanied by pious meditation on the mysteries. In public recitation, the mysteries must be announced in the manner customary in the place; for private recitation, however, it suffices if the vocal recitation is accompanied by meditation on the mysteries.[1] Pg 124
Rediscovering the Rosary, as if there is a conflict or tension between the Mass and the Rosary. A great sorrow in installation of Novus Ordo Mass and debasement of prayers of prayers in person. The Rosary aids our weakness as do Apparitions.
Apparitions Defined & Contrasted
“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia,” gives us some helpful distinctions concerning the language used when discussing purported heavenly appearances, private revelations and the messages associated with them. Here is a summary:
Apparition: The name given to various kinds of supernatural visions of heavenly beings and is frequently applied to the visions associated with Mary.
Private revelation: This comes from a vision and communication from Mary or other heavenly beings. “Revelation” is the body of truths found in the Scriptures and Sacred Tradition of the Church. “Private revelations” are not dogmas of faith and are open for selective acceptance and devotion of the faithful.
Messages: Often in an apparition, a message is given to the seer (the person who beholds the vision). It may be a warning about the need for prayer and penance to avert a coming war or disaster. After apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, Our Lady of Fatima told Sister Lucia de Santos that a pope would be shot. [Some do not think] This prophecy was verified on May 13, 1981, when Pope John Paul II was shot in Rome.
Messages may also include a request that a church be built to honor Mary at the apparition site with the promise of blessing to all who come to pray there. For example, the basilicas in Lourdes, France, and Guadalupe, Mexico, were built in response to Mary’s request and are visited by millions of pilgrims annually.
Physical place, with physical body encounter spiritual reality. Marian apparitions great consolation, pious person, not separated to great a step from heaven. Heaven not esoteric but love in the particular. Queen Mother to come to a little child.
[1] The Secret of the Rosary St. Louis de Montfort (TAN: Bay Shore, NY 2002) 124
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