A Powerful Weapon- The 54-day Rosary Novena

During the current world scene, with all its confusion and suffering, we must cling to Mary, Our Mother, tighter than before.  The perfect weapon to be used in this embattled world is the 54-day (rosary) novena.  Most Catholics are familiar with the Rosary and the special powers of novenas (9-day cycles of prayer).  The combination is a special devotion.  The Catholic Exchange speaks of the 54- day novena; “it is the atomic bomb of spiritual warfare. It is composed of 6 novenas—3 in petition and 3 in confident thanksgiving. It’s the perfect prayer for times of crisis and grave need”.

Pope St. Pius X (1903-1914) once said, “In our time more than ever before, the chief strength of the wicked, lies in the cowardice and weakness of good men. All the strength of Satan’s reign is due to the easy-going weakness of Catholics”.  The 54-day rosary novena is the source of strength Catholics may need.

The history of the 54-day novena is miraculous and inspiring.  The common narration is as follows;

On March 3, 1884 (in the same year Pope Leo XIII wrote the prayer to St. Michael, and exactly 33 years before the Fatima apparitions), a young girl named Fortuna Agrelli was graced with an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and given this special devotion which she passed onto others. At the time, young Fortuna was ill with 3 separate incurable diseases and her doctors had given up on her case saying it was hopeless. In desperation, the young girl and her family began a novena of Rosaries. Our Lady appeared to the girl, sitting upon a high throne, surrounded by luminous figures, holding the Divine Child on Her lap, and in Her hand a Rosary. The sick girl greeted the Blessed Virgin with the following words: ‘Queen of the Holy Rosary’, be gracious to me, restore me to health! I have already prayed to Thee in a novena, O Mary, but have not yet experienced Thy aid. I am so anxious to be cured!” “Child,” responded the Blessed Virgin, “you have invoked Me by various titles and have always obtained favors from Me. Now, since you have called Me by that title so pleasing to Me, “Queen of the Most Holy Rosary”, I can no longer refuse the favor you petition; for this name is most precious and dear to Me. Make three novenas, and you shall obtain all.” Once more, the Queen of the Holy Rosary appeared to the young girl and said, “Whoever desires to obtain favors from Me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving.” Obeying Our Lady’s instructions, the young girl was healed and restored to perfect health.

Over the years additional prayers have been attached to the recitation.  For some, these added prayers add to the spiritual depth of the devotion.  Some prefer simple recitations.  Some adherents break up the 54 days over a span of time.  For instance, one can pray six days a week for nine weeks. The novena consists of five decades of the Rosary (one set of mysteries) each day for twenty-seven days in petition; then immediately five decades each day for an additional twenty-seven days in thanksgiving, regardless of whether or not the request has been granted yet. It is often stated and written that should you not obtain the favor you seek, be assured that the Rosary Queen, who knows what each one stands most in need of, has heard your prayer. You will not have prayed in vain. No prayer ever went unheard and Our Blessed Lady has never been known to fail. Look upon each Hail Mary as a rare and beautiful rose which you lay at Mary’s feet. These spiritual roses, bound in a wreath with Spiritual Communions, will be a most pleasing and acceptable gift to her and will bring down upon you special graces.

As with most prayers, sincerity and faith are essential on the part of the devotee.  It calls for us to dedicate time and patience to this devotion.  St. Francis de Sales wrote, “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew.”  We are to be ever aware of the Lady to whom we are speaking and the favor for which we are asking.