The Rosary – “Armed for Battle”
When I was discerning my vocation, there came a point where I knew pretty well that Jesus was calling me to be His Bride, however I really was struggling to let go of my plans and ideas of happiness. And I had a hard time being honest with Jesus in prayer and facing the vulnerability of the call. So, I decided to turn to the Blessed Mother in prayer instead and to hang out with her. Daily I entrusted all of my desires and fears to her and within months, I found myself not only free of fears and worries, but I had a joy, peace and freedom to say yes to this call with Jesus like never before.
This month we celebrate two huge Marian feasts—the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven and her Queenship. The Church is pointing us toward her—let her be the Queen of your heart.
Two practical tips to grow in freedom on your journey with the Lord. 1. Consecration to Jesus through Mary and 2. Praying the Rosary.
If you haven’t already, I insist that you entrust your whole life to Mary—her mission and goal is to get you to Jesus and bring you to Heaven. There are consecration preparations and prayers by St. Louis de Montfort and Fr. Michael Gaitley that I highly recommend. John Paul II said that reading St. Louis de Montfort’s book, True Devotion, was a decisive turning point in his life.
Second, pray the Rosary every day. In fact, don’t stop praying it! Let’s be honest, so much of the battle in life is in our thoughts: discouragement, doubt, confusion, anxieties. One of the greatest weapons to combat, heal and transform our thoughts is by praying the Rosary.
Praying the Rosary is keeping your gaze on God in the presence of Mary. St. John Paul II said the rosary “mystically transports us to the side of Mary.”
You want your memory healed? Fill your memory with the life of Christ by praying the Rosary. Recall and ponder the mysteries of the Incarnation, the Passion and Resurrection, and soon, your thoughts will be filled with Christ.
The rosary has the power to vanquish the grip of the devil, it directs our thoughts to God and heals us; it unbinds the shackles of sin that strangle and prevent freedom, it unleashes torrents of grace into our lives and those around us.
Traditionally, those going into battle would carry their weapon on their left side, so that they could have quick and easy access to whip it out with their right hand.
So, too, do religious wear their rosary on their left side—it is our spiritual weapon in the battle against the enemy.
St. Louis de Montfort: “Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood.”
There’s a story of Padre Pio, who woke up one night while sick in bed. He couldn’t find his rosary which he kept underneath his pillow, so he called out to a friar, “Young man, get me my weapon. Give me my weapon.”
And St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast day we celebrate this month, was known as the Knight of the Immaculata. He built a whole city called the City of Mary. The entirety of his life was surrendered into the hands of our Lady. Jesus is building not only a city within you but a kingdom, where he wants her to be the queen. The queen of our hearts.
(St. Max once said “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”)
So I encourage you, pray the rosary throughout your day, in your car, as you’re getting ready in the morning, while you’re making dinner. Pray one, pray two, three, maybe even 4—the entire rosary. I can tell you, I have experienced tremendous graces with this prayer.
There is a powerful video on youtube with testimonies from young adults who have decided to pray all four mysteries of the Rosary a day—huge transformations, healings, restoration.
Try it, see what happens. I guarantee greater freedom, newness and love will rush into your life. Sins you can’t overcome, anxieties you can’t surmount—pray the Rosary more and watch our Lady lead you to peace.
Know of our prayers for you. God bless you!
