Campus Ministry Corner:

As the Advent season approaches, the subjects of the Virgin Mary and the Rosary-particularly the Joyful Mysteries-become prevalent in the minds of believers. However, there are many who do not understand the great importance of these doctrines in the Catholic faith or simply do not understand them at all. Though this article has not the length to do much service to explaining the doctrines of Mary, I will try to explain enough to help inspire anyone to seriously revere the Rosary and take it up in prayer.The Virgin Mary is called by many titles, including Advocate, Benefactress, Helper and Mediatrix (that is, one who mediates, not to be confused with Redemptress, which is not Church teaching). As the Mother of God who was born without sin, eternally virgin, and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth, she holds a prominent position in salvation history. Whereas Eve was the Mother of the Living, Mary is Mother of the Church, that is, Mother of the Living and the Dead, of all believers.

That is quite a lot to take in and that which countless other texts cover in logical detail. For our purposes, we'll focus on where the Rosary begins: Mary's acceptance to bear Christ. Theologian George Weigel explains in The Truth About Catholicism, "Mary was the first disciple because Mary's 'yes' to the angel's message had made possible the incarnation of the Son of God.Mary's assumption into heaven was a preview of what awaits all those whom Christ will save. For all these reasons.Mary provides a defining profile of what the Church is, of how the men and women of the Church should live, and of what the eternal destiny of disciples will be" (46).

This seems like an awful lot of talk about Mary, and thus many have developed the misconception that the Rosary prayer is worship of Mary. Quite the contrary, the Rosary is Christ-centered; the whole of the Gospel is contained in its 20 mysteries. Mary is invoked only as an intercessor for our prayers, while the focus remains on Christ, our Savior. Every Mystery relates to Christ, and through our contemplation of them Mary prays for Christ to bestow His graces and virtues on us. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church clarifies, "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship" and "This very special devotion differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration" (971).

These "Mysteries" mentioned above are the meditations of the Rosary that accompany many Our Fathers and Hail Mary's. The Rosary contains four sets of five mysteries, each set prayed on a different day of the week. The Joyful Mysteries focus on the events surrounding Jesus' birth, the Luminous Mysteries entail the events of Jesus' ministry, the Sorrowful Mysteries cover Jesus' passion and the Glorious Mysteries include Christ's resurrection and beyond. By meditating on these mysteries we grow in our devotion of God through Mary and learn to become more Christ-like.

Rachel Dalo, junior and a leader of the campus' Monday night Rosary group, stated, "Many people see the Rosary as a prayer that is recited by old ladies, onethat doesn't apply to people of our generation. But I see the Rosary as a powerful weapon. Praying the Rosary helps me to see Jesus in a new light; from thelight of His mother. Whenever I am feeling tempted, distressed or anxious, the Rosary helps to calm me and battle those feelings that are within me so that I can greater feel Christ through me."

This powerful prayer was given to humanity by Mary herself in an apparition to St. Dominic in 1208. Since then, a handful of apparitions and the urging of many popes have helped the Church come to a great appreciation and devotion to the Rosary, as well as an understanding of its important role in conversions, miracles and salvation. Pope Pius IX explained, "Among all the devotions approved by the Church, none has been favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the most Holy Rosary." Pope Pius XII stated, "There is no surer means of calling down God's blessing upon the family than the daily recitation of the Rosary." Pope John Paul II dedicated his pontificate with the motto "Totus Tuus," Latin for "totally yours."

Assumption College has a special devotion to Mary as evident in the college's name. The Assumption of Mary, the fourth mystery of the Glorious Mysteries, is a sign to us all of what heaven holds for us and that we have Mary to help us get there. This is all the more reason for each one of us to pick up Rosary beads and pray for the intercession of our Heavenly Mother. Though the Rosary may appear daunting in size, it is truly a contemplative, relaxing and transformative experience. There is no more powerful method for becoming a devout disciple and fulfilling our God-given gift to be fully in His image and likeness.