As a younger Catholic I did not have devotion to our Lady and I really missed out poor catechesis and formation - it is only when I went through a terrible deep crisis in 2004 and dark night of the soul that I turned to the Rosary (through desperation in many ways) and committing to praying it has been the greatest decision of my life because I have got to know our Lady and I consider this the most wonderful 'find' I discovered a real mother in heaven, and she is the pearl and joy of my life - I have learnt more about her son Jesus Christ through devotion to her than I ever could have in reading 1000 books - she always leads us to her son. I have never suffered physically as God has blessed me with good health but I have suffered in other ways - watching the closest people I love in the world suffer (mentally and physically). It is the closest people to me the ones I have loved the most who have suffered greatly that has caused me great suffering out of sympathy and empathy. This used to confuse me years ago - and I felt helpless. Only this morning in prayer with our Lady did she reveal that my sufferings for those I love is in imitation of her Immaculate Heart because her heart was pierced by the sword of suffering by watching her son suffer yet she could not help him - now I can see that I offer my little interior sufferings in union with her sufferings - I wish I had learnt this years ag0. Our Lady is called the seat of Wisdom for a reason - she is my pearl of great price - the greatest discovery of my life. Ave Maria.
How beautiful Garabandal! I see Our Lady looking upon you (and others that pray Her rosary from their heart) , as her precious children! This is a great spiritual gift from Our heavenly Mother. It will of course be a reason you may suffer many unmerited trials. However these trials, allowed by God, have His mothers stamp of approval! .... and this is the wonderous thing, because as a mother, the most Blessed Virgin Mary provides extra consolations, extra signal graces and extra mystical aids to bolster and console her children. I think this is because you and others remove the thorns from Our Lady's Heart, through your love and penances, and Our Lord sees this and rewards those who Love His Most beloved mother in this way, thereby He grants and gives extra consolations.
Thank you for sharing! As a child, although I attended Catholic School, my immediate family did not pray or attend Mass or anything after I turned about 6 years old. I never had prayed the Rosary that I know of as a child. At age 24, immediately after completing our 10 week marriage process with the Priest of the Catholic Church we had our wedding planned, my fiance was killed in a car accident. I was SO very afraid for him and where he possibly could be on the other side. There seemed to be no comfort for me until a few days later I kept hearing in my heart "Hail Mary Full of Grace" I searched out the prayer in one of my childhood prayerbooks and although I didn't really pray the Rosary, I was constantly saying the Hail Mary over and over. It was the only thing that comforted me. This went on for a few weeks and later anytime I felt afraid or sad but didn't go back to Church or pray or anything. Fast forward ten years later and again, life hit me HARD. This time I found a picture of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and also matching Sacred Heart of Jesus my grandmother had left me. I stared at those pictures almost constantly between working and sleeping. They were the only thing that gave me comfort. Soon I found the Rosary prayers and my old first communion rosary and started praying it daily. Within a month I had a HUGE overnight conversion (apparition!) and since then have never stopped praying the Rosary daily. I KNOW our Mother is the one who led me to her Son! She must have been watching over me the whole time...
Beautiful account. I know it was our Mother too. Nary a doubt as they say. She rescued me too quite literally from the clutches of the enemy. I was given the grace to know this. I had a deep devotion in childhood but tossed it aside but I know now she never left me. She truly is the pearl of great price. So important to consecrate our children when they are small. She never forgets even if they don't remember we and we have forgotten. Mighty against the armies of hell. Who is she arising fair as the moon bright as the sun more terrible than an army dressed in battle array.
How beautiful Carmel! What a great testimony to Gods love and care over the years when you had not known Him, and in my case abandoned Him. His Love is beyond incomprehensible. I find such peace and grace in your story Carmel! Thank You. He placed the prayer to Our Lady on your lips and then lead you through your grandmother to discover the rosary and you accepted these graces! This is a testament to the power of Gods Omnipotent/Divine Will calling us and waiting for our free wills reciprocal response. In your experience we see Gods invitation to His Love, His Will, gratefully received!; you freely give your will to His Divine Will. This is the Imitation of Christ! Most sublime. For in the garden of gethsemane Jesus states to the Father, Not My will but Yours be done! Our Free Will is such a sublime gift given unencumbered and with a listening ear, therefore God Waits, He begs with the eyes of not knowing our answer. God is the innocent child to His creation, How sublime is our Our Loving God! Who is like unto God? St Michael and St Joseph Pray for us, Amen.
