How the Rosary Led Me to Christ

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 10-07-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

She, by God’s grace, brought Christ to us, showed Him to us at Bethlehem, presented Him in the Temple, and ushered in His first miracle (even despite His reluctance). She said to the stewards that day at Cana, and to us now, “Do whatever he tells you.” The Gospel of John says, Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him (John 2:11).

[Salvation]

I know this is about Mary and many might be tempted to discount it. Consider that this is one person’s account of the influence of the Mother of God on his life — thus leading him to Jesus.

Your respect will be appreciated by all.

[Salvation]

Monsignor Pope Ping!

[ealgeone]

Ad Jesum per Mariam – There are some, non-Catholics especially, who think that talking of Mary or focusing on her in any way takes away from Christ. It is as though they consider it a zero-sum game, in which our hearts cannot love both Mary and Jesus.

Yet now where in the NT do we have such an admonition to love Mary and Jesus equally. This would contradict the greatest commandment would it not?

[Pyro7480]

He never said equally.

[ealgeone]

my own experience was that Mary led me to Christ. I had struggled to know and worship Christ, but somehow a mother’s love felt more natural, safer, and more accessible to me. So I began there, where I could.

The love of a created, sinful, being is better than the Creator's love?? I don't think so.

[defconw]

Well I suspect you know that we don't consider her sinful. So are you just here to agitate? I thought Jim had put a stop to this sort of nonsense?

[Mercat]

In 2006 I was just climbing out of the worst few years of my life. Mr. Mercat and I traveled to Ireland to see our son perform in a banjo festival. While there I found a wonderful cannamara marble rosary, bought it, and began praying it daily. I didn’t even know why and didn’t feel any devotion to Mary. It just seemed the right thing to do to help my other two children in their needs. It got to be a habit and although I gave that rosary away I found another and another and gradually found ways to make it part of my daily routine. Three years ago, still not feeling a devotion to Mary, I became a team member at RCIA at my parish. I kept learning more and finally did the 33 Days to Morning Glory. (look it up). I also read Scott Hahn’s Hail Holy Queen. I’m still not 100% there but getting close to full devotion to Jesus through Mary. My life has improved amazingly. So this is my witness.

[dartuser]

The thing about Marian devotion is that it opens up a whole world.

I bet ...

[ealgeone]

You may not consider her sinful, but the Word does. Pointing out biblical truth to catholics is "nonsense".

If you don't want comments, hide it behind the caucus thread.

[GreyFriar]

He returned to Jesus and His message via Mary, I cannot and will not criticize him for that. Each of us has our own story of how we journeyed to our belief in Christ and accepting him as our Savior and thus have modeled our life from His and His Father’s words.

If you have never fallen away from your faith and belief in Jesus, that is good, but don’t condemn those who have had a struggle with their journey and found a way to return home to Jesus.

[defconw]

Why should we hide it?

[miss marmelstein]

My mother is dying and her Catholic nursing home has taken up praying the Rosary over her daily. To hear the quiet recitation of prayers is like a balm on the sore-hearted spirit. One of the most beautiful rituals of Catholicism. I ask kindly that non-Catholics not to respond to me on this because this means a lot to me with my mother dying by inches.

[fwdude]

Where are Rosaries, or any religious trinkets whatsoever, mentioned in New Testament scriptures?

If not, we can do without them just fine.

[ealgeone]

Actually, Jesus put Mary in John's care. Nothing in the Word suggests she was given to all of the disciples or that she is the "queen of the disciples" as some in catholicism claim.

Now I know why ya'll don't like commentary on Mary. It points out the false teachings of the rcc on the catholic Mary.

Now as an adult and when I am all rational and calm Jesus and I communicate quite well. But I still call for Mother when the crap hits the fan.

Are you saying you run to a created being, Mary, over the Creator when you're in a bad spot????

[Salvation]

Sinful? I don’t think so.

Have you ever delved into the Immaculate Conception and what it means?

[defconw]

Awesome! I too had a time in life that I was really struggling to get out of a bad situation and I was at the pretty hopeless state. No money, far from home, to proud to ask for help etc.

I was perusing a newspaper and was for whatever reason looking at the personals and memorials. I was used to suburban Catholicism like Father says. So for whatever reason this novena appeared in the paper. I was like well, OK what the heck nothing else is working. I was pretty convinced God was not listening to me.

I said this Novena devoutly and with as much trust as I could muster and not really expecting anything at all to happen. Nothing happened the 9th day (it's not magic after all). But ......things did change and I got out of that situation. It was not so much that the situation suddenly dissolved, it was more like I had gained the wisdom and confidence to get out of it and I knew Mother and Jesus were propping me up.

[Salvation]

Thank you for your respectful witness.

[ealgeone]

Yes and as I have posted too many times already it is not supported in the Word as admitted by Roman Catholic apologists.