Course 4, Chapter 40: Christianity visible. — Month of Mary. — Scapular. — Rosary

1. What are the principal practices of devotion in honor of the Blessed Virgin?

The month of Mary, the Scapular and the Rosary.

2. What is the month of Mary?

The month of Mary is the month of May consecrated to the honor of the Blessed Virgin. This devotion, which originated in Italy in the last century, has for its end to obtain from the Queen of virgins the preservation of innocence amid the temptations which spring up so freely during that beautiful season.

3. How should we perform the month of Mary?

To perform it well, we must each clay offer up, in honor of the Blessed Virgin, a spiritual reading and some prayers, and endeavor to walk in her footsteps.

4. What is the Scapular?

The Scapular is a devotion in honor of the Blessed Virgin, which was revealed to the blessed Simon Stock, superior of the Carmelites, in the twelfth century.

5. What did the Blessed Virgin promise to Simon Stock?

She promised him: 1 st, to obtain for those who should wear the Scapular, extraordinary graces for obtaining a good death. But this does not mean that all who wear the Scapular are assured of their salvation. 2 J, she promised to deliver from purgatory, the Saturday after their death, all the departed members of the confraternity.

6. What is necessary in order to participate in these privileges?

In order to participate in the first privilege, it is sufficient to live as Christians in our respective states

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of life, and to wear constantly the Scapular. To participate in the second, we must also live as Christians; and those who can read, must recite every day the little office of the Blessed Virgin or other appointed prayers; those who cannot read must abstain on Wednesdays.

7. What is the Rosary?

The Rosary is a devotion in honor of the Blessed Virgin; which consists in reciting, each week, three pairs of beads or fifteen decades, meditating on the principal mysteries of our Lord and the Blessed Virgin. These mysteries are divided into three classes: the joyful, the dolorous, and the glorious mysteries.

8. Who established the Rosary?

St. Dominick was directed by the Blessed Virgin to establish the Rosary at the commencement of the thirteenth century. This devotion has been the means of obtaining the greatest favors; and a multitude of popes, kings and princes have eagerly united in its performance. We also should join in this devotion, for we have the most pressing need of the protection of the Blessed Virgin.