Say the Rosary!

Not very long ago, a gentleman who was very much esteemed in the eyes of the world, but unfortunately quite alienated from the practice of Religion, was in the company of several ecclesiastics on the occasion of a grand festival.

In the course of conversation he let slip this avowal: "I would willingly believe in the true Faith, but it is quite impossible for me to attain to it." One of the priests present, who was sitting near, whispered in his ear: "You have no faith? Then say the Rosary!" The conversation continued without any further mention of this subject.

Three years afterwards, this same priest received a letter, which ran as follows: "You will perhaps still remember that about three years ago, I was in a company with some priests, of which you were amongst the number. I then expressed my regret that I could not believe, whereupon you advised me to say the Rosary. Those words which seemed so strange at first, remained in my memory, always ringing in my ears, with a singular fascination. By degrees they touched my heart, and at length they became sweet and lovable to me. I began to say the Rosary, and today I believe. I am happy, and joyfully fulfill my religious duties."

Such was the result of only a few words dropped, as it were, casually, into the ears of a stranger, and points to the efficacy of persevering prayer above arguments or exhortations. Say one prayer, however small; keep up one practice, however little, in honour of Mary, and whatever your want may be, it will surely be fulfilled.

(MARIA SANCTISSIMA; Rev. Dom Joseph A. Keller; English trans. and edition by O.S.B.; R. & T. Washbourne; 1899)