Friday 2 April 2010

The Voice of... Pope Leo XIII (Part XVIII)

On 12th September, 1897, Pope Leo XIII issued his Encyclical Letter Augustissimae Virginis Mariae on the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary:

"12. We also, Venerable Brethren, moved by the example of Our predecessors, earnestly exhort and conjure you, as We have so often done, to devote special care to this sacred warfare, so that by your efforts fresh forces may be daily enrolled on every side. Through you and those of your clergy who have care of souls, let the people know and duly appreciate the efficacy of this Sodality and its usefulness for man's salvation. This We beg all the more earnestly as of late that beautiful devotion to our Blessed Mother, called "the living Rosary," has once more become popular. We have gladly blessed this devotion, and We earnestly desire that you would sedulously and strenuously encourage its growth. We cherish the strongest hope that these prayers and praises, rising incessantly from the lips and hearts of so great a multitude, will be most efficacious. Alternately rising by night and by day, throughout the different countries of the earth, they combine a harmony of vocal prayer with meditation upon the divine mysteries. In ages long past this perennial stream of praise and prayer was foretold in those inspired words with which Ozias in his song addressed Judith: "Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord, the Most High God, above all women upon the earth . . . because He hath so magnified thy name this day that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of man." And all the people of Israel acclaimed him in these words: "So be it, so be it!" Judith xiii., 23, 24, 26)."

1 comment:

Chloe said...

St Philomena, Patroness of the Living Rosary, is a very powerful saint. She is also a Patroness of priests and young people. Devotion to her is growing at a tremendous rate and priests, young people and indeed, all of us, need her help. She works always in union with our Blessed Lady.
Prayer:
Hail, O Illustrious, St Philomena, who so courageously shed thy blood for Christ. I bless the Lord for all the graces He has bestowed upon thee during thy life and especially at they death. I9 praise and glorify Him for the homour and power with which He has crowned thee. And I beg thee to obtain for me, from God, the graces I ask through thine intercession. Amen