On this last Friday in October, we recall that October is the Month of the Rosary. So we want to take a few minutes to draw your attention to an action item that will help bring an end to abortion in the United States. We’re talking about the 54-Day Rosary Novena.
Traditionally a novena is nine days of petition and nine days of thanksgiving. Thus, a 54-day novena is actually three novenas of the prayers of the rosary in petition and three novenas in thanksgiving.
This novena consists of five decades of the rosary (one set of mysteries) each day for 27 days in petition, then immediately five decades each day for an additional 27 days in thanksgiving, regardless of whether or not the request has yet been granted. To do the novena properly, you must pray the rosary for 54 consecutive days without missing a day, and you must pray the particular mystery indicated for that day following the correct sequence.
Anyone can pray this novena, and you can begin any day you want (today would be good!).
Historically, the 54-Day Rosary Novena began in 1884 when a young girl named Fortuna Agrelli was graced with an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and given this special devotion, which she passed on to others. At the time, young Fortuna was ill with three separate incurable diseases and her doctors had given up on her, saying her case was hopeless. In desperation, the young girl and her family began a novena of rosaries. Our Lady appeared to the girl, sitting upon a high throne, surrounded by luminous figures, holding the Divine Child on her lap. In her hands, she held a rosary.
The sick girl greeted the Blessed Virgin with the following words:
Queen of the Holy Rosary, be gracious to me, restore me to health! I have already prayed to Thee in a novena, O Mary, but have not yet experienced Thy aid. I am so anxious to be cured!
“Child,” responded the Blessed Virgin, “you have invoked me by various titles and have always obtained favors from me. Now, since you have called me by that title so pleasing to me, ‘Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,’ I can no longer refuse the favor you petition; for this name is most precious and dear to Me. Make three novenas, and you shall obtain all.” Obeying Our Lady’s instructions, the young girl was healed and restored to perfect health.
Once more, the Queen of the Holy Rosary appeared to the young girl and said, “Whoever desires to obtain favors from me should make three novenas of the prayers of the rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving.”
We call on all our readers to begin a 54-Day Rosary Novena soon asking our Blessed Mother for an end to abortion and a restoration of the culture of life to our country. You can get full details and a special prayer card from the Fatima Network at fatima.org/apostolate/vlarchive/vl130_1211.asp.