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The Secret of the Rosary

a picture in your mind of Jesus and Mary in connection with this mystery.
The life of Blessed Hermann (of the Premonstratensian Fathers) tells us that at one time when he
used to say the Rosary attentively and devoutly while meditating upon the mysteries Our Lady used
to appear to him resplendent in breathtaking majesty and beauty. But as time went on his fervor
cooled and he fell into the way of saying his Rosary hurriedly and without giving it his full
attention. Then one day Our Lady appeared to him again only this time she was far from beautiful
and her face was furrowed and drawn with sadness. Blessed Hermann was appalled at the change in
her, and then Our Lady explained:
"This is how I look to you, Hermann, because in your soul this is how you are treating me; as a woman
to be despised and of no importance. Why do you no longer greet me with respect
and attention meditating on my mysteries and praising my privileges."

Forty-Third Rose

Fighting Distractions

WHEN THE ROSARY is well said it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and it is more meritorious for the
soul than any other prayer. But it is also the hardest prayer to say well and to persevere in,
owing especially to the distractions which almost inevitably attend the constant repetition of the
same words.
When we say the Little Office of Our Lady, or the Seven Penitential Psalms, or any prayers
other than the Rosary, the
variety of words and expressions keeps us alert, prevents our
imagination from wandering, and so makes it easier for us to
say them well. On the contrary, because of the constant repe­
tition of the same Our Father and Hail Mary in the same
unvarying form, it is difficult, while saying the Rosary, not to
become wearied and inclined to sleep or to turn to other
prayers that are more refreshing and less tedious. This goes
to show that one needs much greater devotion to persevere
in saying the Holy Rosary than in saying any other prayer,
even the Psalms of David.
Our imagination, which is hardly still a minute, makes our
task harder and then of course there is the devil who never

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