54-Day Rosary Novena

       "For 13 months Fortuna Agrelli, the daughter of Commander Agrelli, had endured dreadful sufferings and torturous cramps; she had been given up by the most celebrated physicians. On February 16, 1884, the afflicted girl and her relatives commenced a novena of Rosaries. At Naples, in the Commander’s house, the Queen of the Holy Rosary favored her with an apparition on March 3. The Blessed Virgin Mary, sitting upon the high throne, surrounded by luminous figures, held the Divine Child on Her lap, and in Her hand a Rosary.

       "Mary looked upon the sufferer with maternal tenderness, and the patient saluted Her with the 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 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 her and said, ‘Whoever desires to obtain favors from Me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving.’

       "This miracle of the Rosary made a very deep impression on Pope Leo XIII, and greatly contributed to the fact that in so many Encyclicals he urged all Christians to love the Rosary and say it fervently."

       The Novena consists of 5 decades of the Rosary each day for 27 days in petition; then immediately 5 decades each day for 27 days in thanksgiving, whether or not the request has been granted. 1st day meditate on the Joyful Mysteries; 2nd day the Sorrowful Mysteries; 3rd day the Glorious Mysteries; 4th day meditate again on the Joyful Mysteries; and so on.

       J: Joyful Mysteries are recited on this day of your novena.

       S: Sorrowful Mysteries are recited on this day.

       G: Glorious Mysteries are recited on this day.

       A laborious Novena, but a Novena of Love. You who are sincere will not find it too difficult, if you really wish to obtain your request.

       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.

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