Request for a 54 Day Rosary Novena
Saint Dominic said: One day, Brother Angelus, to your Order of Carmel the Most Blessed Virgin Mary will give a devotion to be known as the Brown Scapular, and to my Order of Preachers she will give a devotion to be known as the Rosary. And one day, through the rosary and the scapular, she will save the world.
Commencing with the Feast of Saint Peter’s Chair at Rome, January 18th, We ask all to make a 54 day Rosary Novena. Mary appeared in 1884 and advised: 'Whoever desires to obtain favors from me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three novenas in thanksgiving.' This is done by rotating through the Mysteries of the Rosary, Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious in order to make the six Novenas in 54 days. We will also provide additional prayers which have been provided for this purpose.
The intention for this 54 Day Rosary Novena is the Restoration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, because the Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament of Unity. True the Mass and Sacraments can be validly administered outside of the Catholic Church, but they are not fruitful unless administered in visible union with the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church under the visible Successor of Saint Peter. Saint Bonaventure writes: Once these conditions [intention of Orders] are present, the sacraments may be conferred by either the good or the wicked, the faithful or the heretical, within the Church or outside it: but within the Church, they are conferred both in fact and in effect, while outside it, although conferred in fact, they are not effective. Saint Jerome reminds us: whoever eats the lamb outside of this house is an impious person. Whoever is not in Noah's ark will perish in the flood.
We grant a Plenary Indulgence to all who join in this Novena, who are in visible communion with the Catholic Church on the final day of the Novena.
January 18, 2009, Saint Peter’s Chair at Rome
PRAYER FOR CHURCH UNITY
V/ That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in Me and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. (John xvii: 21.)
V/ I say unto thee, that thou art Peter;
R/ And upon this Rock I will build My Church.
V/ LORD Jesus Christ, Who saidst unto Thine apostles; Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy will. Who livest and reignest God forever and ever. R/ Amen.
