The Rosary is a form of vocal and mental prayer on the mysteries of our redemption, divided into fifteen decades. The recitation of each decade is accompanied by meditation on one of the fifteen events or mysteries of Jesus' life. The Rosary became a popular devotion during the 14th and 15th centuries. A chaplet originally consisting of 150 hail Marys in imitation of the 150 psalms in the Psalter, later augmented by 15 interspersed Our fathers as penance for daily sins. In 1214 while St. Dominic was trying to convert sinners without success, our Lady appeared to him, gave him the Rosary and taught him how to use it. Many miraculous conversions resulted! God inspired St. Dominic to prophesy that some day the Blessed Mother would give us two devotions to be known as the Rosary and the Brown Scapular. " And one day, through the rosary and the scapular she would save the world." In 1917 Our lady appeared to Sister Lucia at Fatima holding the Rosary and Scapular in Her hands. Mother Mary told Lucia that the Rosary and Scapular are inseparable, and that She wants us to use these sacraments as devotions to her. If we heed her requests she will save the world, Russia will be converted and there will be peace! If not Russia will scatter her errors through the whole world. Provoking wars and persecutions against the church, the good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer and several entire nations will be wiped out. |