A sinner is converted through the Rosary, Mary: Day 299

A sinner is converted through the Rosary

St. Alphonsus relates an incident in the life of St. Dominic that demonstrates the power of the Rosary.

In Rome, during the time of St. Dominic, a woman by the name of “Catherine the Fair” was leading a most disorderly life. She once heard the saint preaching on the devotion of the Rosary, had her name enrolled in the confra- ternity, and began to recite it. But she didn’t change her way of living.

One evening a young man of noble appearance came to visit her. She received him with courtesy. But while they were at supper, as he was cutting bread, drops of blood fell from his hands. Then she saw that there was blood on all the food he took. She asked him what was the meaning of this. The young man replied, “The food of a Christian should be tinged with the blood of Jesus Christ, and seasoned with the remembrance of his passion.” Astonished at such an answer, Catherine asked him who he was. “Later,” he said, “I will tell you.”

As they went into an adjoining room, the young man’s appearance changed: He was crowned with thorns, and his flesh was all mangled and torn. He said: “You desire to know who I am? Don’t you recognize me? I am your Redeemer. Catherine, when will you cease offending me? See what I have endured for you. You have now tormented me enough; change your life.”

Catherine burst into sobs and tears, and Jesus, encouraging her, said: “Love me now as much as you have offended me. And know that I have granted you this grace on account of the Rosary you have recited in honor of my mother.” Then he disappeared.

On the next morning Catherine went to St. Dominic to Confession, dis- tributed all she had to the poor, and ever afterwards led so holy a life that she attained a very high degree of perfection.

—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

If I’ve been praying the Rosary, can I recall occasions when I saw prayers powerfully answered through my practice of this devotion?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a “Prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary”: O Virgin Mary, grant that the recitation of your Rosary may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, and an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty.

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