Saint Dominic and the Rosary

Saint Dominic and the Rosary

St. Dominic was trying to convert the Albigensian heretics of Toulouse, France, but they were very sinful and stubborn and would not become good Catholics. So he went into a forest and there he prayed constantly, for three days and three nights. During this time he did much penance and shed many tears for the conversion of these poor sinners. He also scourged himself and finally, exhausted, he fell into a coma.

Suddenly the Blessed Virgin Mary and three angels appeared to him! "Dear Dominic," Our Lady asked, "do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world?"

"O my Lady," answered St. Dominic, "you know far better than I do, because next to your Son Jesus Christ, you have always been the main instrument of our salvation."

Our Lady replied, "I want you to know that in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter!"

Then St. Dominic, burning with zeal for the conversion of the Albigensians, headed straight for the Cathedral. Suddenly angels began to ring the bells of the Cathedral. Hearing the bells, the people hurried to the church to see what was happening. Just as St. Dominic started to preach, a terrible storm broke out. The earth shook, the sun became dark; thunder roared and lightning flashed everywhere! The people were terrified!

Even greater was their fear when they saw a nearby picture of Our Blessed Mother come to life, and raise her arms to Heaven three times. Mary did this to call down God's anger upon the Albigensians, only if they failed to become good Catholics and seek her protection.

God wished, by means of these miracles and events, to spread the new devotion of the most Holy Rosary, and to make it more widely known.

At last, by the prayers of St. Dominic, the storm came to an end and the holy man went on preaching. So well did he explain about the importance and value of the Holy Rosary, that almost all the people of Toulouse embraced the Rosary and renounced their false beliefs.

In a very short time one could see that because the people of Toulouse showed a great love for Our Lady and the Holy Rosary, that their lives had greatly changed. Thanks to the Virgin Mary, they had begun to lead good Catholic lives and had given up their former sinful habits.

Let us also please Mary (1) by not sinning (2) by going to Mass (3) by saying the Holy Rosary of Our Lady, every day of our lives.

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