Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Mission for the Salvation of the World

This year we celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. The one request Mary had at every one of her apparitions was that we all pray the rosary. She asked that we pray the rosary every day for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world. It is a pretty simple task and an easy request that she makes of us, yet we still resist and neglect to do it. 

I will admit, i am not quite sure that I get it, how in the world can reciting the rosary, such a simple thing, convert simmers and bring peace to this world. I mean, honestly, world peace, isn’t that what we all want, along with every beauty contestant that has ever competed. How is the rosary going to accomplish that? How does the rosary change others, how does it change world leaders, or even change the nasty coworker I deal with every day? I don’t understand.  Well, we probably don’t understand, because saying the rosary doesn’t change any of these things – praying the rosary changes us. When we pray the rosary and reflect upon the life of Jesus as seen through Mary’s eyes, our relationship with Christ and his Mother deepens and our hearts begin to soften, and we begin to change.  It’s gradual, and we probably don’t even notice. But, do you know who does notice? All those around us, and as we change, they change. Mary said "yes" to God, in the face of extreme consequences which could have included death by stoning, hurting people she loved, and knowing that should would be the object of gossip and ridicule for her entire life. She said "yes" anyway and trusted God. She agreed enthusiastically to God’s plan for her life, and she changed the world. Mary changed the universe. 

Now she asks us to do the same. To obey God’s will and change the world. Mary knows better than anyone how following God’s will and plan for our lives will bring us to a glory that we can’t even imagine- that is how a young teenage maiden from an obscure little town in the Mideast becomes the Queen of the Universe. This is something that all the Saints understand. It is why they die for the Faith, and stand up for truth, in the face of torture and death. They know that like Mary, they can be a part of the God’s plan to change and save the world. What an honor for us, to be included in God’s plan for the salvation of mankind! 

So, let this be our launching point, our annunciation into a life with Christ and his mother, a launching point to our role to change the world, and bring our own spin to the conversion of sinners. We all have a unique part in this plan, in this effort to bring God’s salvation and peace to the world. It starts with Mary’s request for us to pray the rosary, today, and every day. I wish that I had known years ago how much peace and joy the Rosary can bring to our lives. Mary comes to us as a mother through the Rosary, and she relieves our anxieties, stresses and fears. Things that once consumed me with worry and fret no longer do so, and in the quietness of meditating on the Rosary, she speaks to me and gives me the direction and guidance I need. It is pretty mind blowing. Once you start this journey with the Rosary, you will become addicted and look forward to praying it. God makes it so easy, there are DVDs, CDs, internet sites, etc. So many possibilities, we just need to make the time and create the priority and the benefits will be all our own, and the world’s.