Dear Friends of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Amid these turbulent times, how do we touch hearts, many of which are so wounded? How do we pass on the faith when there is often much misunderstanding and ignorance of it? Essentially: how do we lead people to an authentic encounter with the living Jesus, who will lead us by the power of the Holy Spirit to the embrace of our Heavenly Father?

Thankfully, we are not alone. Our Blessed Mother deeply desires these very things. She wants all her children to be brought into her Son’s presence so that He may speak the truth to their weary hearts: you are beloved of the Father. Our Blessed Mother’s chosen means to lead us to this personal encounter with Jesus is the Rosary.

During her life on earth, Mary kept all the events of Christ’s life in her heart and pondered them deeply. When we pray the Rosary, Mary is, as it were, sharing with us her memories of her Son. But more than merely calling these memories to mind, by praying the Rosary, these mysteries are made present. As Pope Saint John Paul II teaches, “Mary constantly sets before the faithful the ‘mysteries’ of her Son, with the desire that the contemplation of these mysteries will release all their saving power.” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, #11). There is real spiritual power when we pray the Rosary.

We can pray the Rosary wherever we are. However, it is especially efficacious when we pray the Rosary before Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. When we are before Him in the Eucharist, He can work wonders in our souls; and through us, in the souls of those for whom we intercede. If one person praying the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament is powerful, how much more powerful are many souls gathered together with our Blessed Mother and adoring our Lord?

Praying the Rosary with others has particular blessings attached to it. Saint Louis de Montfort explained, “When people say the Rosary together, it is far more formidable to the devil than one said privately because, in this public prayer, it is an army that is attacking. It is very easy to break a single stick, but if you join it to others to make a bundle, it cannot be broken. In union, there is strength.” (cf. Secret of the Rosary)

The gift of God in these chaotic times is that it is becoming more apparent that things are so far beyond our control that we cannot fix them ourselves. We never really could, but perhaps we previously lived more easily under the illusion that we could. Now, it is clear that the Lord alone can do so. By drawing near to our Eucharistic Jesus, in union with Mary, we are humbly acknowledging that we can’t fix things. We need Him. He will not disappoint us. He knows our needs and the needs of all souls throughout the world. He is waiting for us to come to Him with faith in His merciful love. Yes, there is work to be done. But, the first and most important work is the encounter with Jesus. From there, we go forth, empowered by His Spirit, doing whatever He tells us.

I urge you to consider holding a Rosary Congress in your Diocese as a potent force of renewal. Each Congress is essentially a week of perpetual Eucharistic adoration, with the Rosary prayed every hour. It is very simple, but don’t be deceived by its simplicity. Holding a Rosary Congress is extremely powerful, as has been testified repeatedly by those who have held the Rosary Congresses. You can find their testimonies, as well as all you will need to hold a Diocesan Rosary Congress, at the website: www.rosarycongressusa.org.

Through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, may Almighty God bless you: in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit + Amen.

In our Blessed Mother’s victorious Heart,

Father Francis Dankoski

Spiritual Director of the Diocesan Rosary Congresses