Stories & Legends
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A Sermon on the Rosary Works a Conversion
Fr. Bovius narrates this account of a very sinful person named Helen. Having gone to church, this woman accidentally heard a sermon on the Rosary. As she went out, she bought one but carried it hidden so that it should not be seen.
Afterwards, she began to recite it; and although she recited it without devotion, the Most Holy Virgin infused into her heart such consolation and sweetness in it that she could not cease repeating it.
By this practice, she was inspired with such a horror of her evil life that she could find no peace and was forced, as it were, to go to confession. She confessed with so much contrition that the confessor was amazed.
Having finished her confession, she went immediately before an altar of the Blessed Virgin to thank her advocate. She recited her Rosary, and the divine Mother spoke to her from her image, and said; "Helen, you have too long offended God and me. Hence forth change your life and I will bestow upon you many of my favors."
The poor sinner in confusion, answered: "Ah, Most Holy Virgin, it is true that hitherto I have been very sinful, but thou, who art all-powerful, assist me; I give myself to thee, and will pass the remainder of my life in doing penance for my sins."
Assisted by Mary, Helen bestowed all her goods upon the poor, and commenced a rigorous penance. She was tormented by dreadful temptations, but she continued to recommend herself to the Mother of God and always, with her aid, came off victorious. She was favored also with many supernatural graces, as visions, revelations and prophecies.
At last, before her death, of which she had been warned a few days previously by Mary, the Virgin herself came with her Son to visit her. And in death, the soul of this sinner was seen in the form of a beautiful dove ascending to Heaven.
By this practice, she was inspired with such a horror of her evil life that she could find no peace and was forced, as it were, to go to confession. She confessed with so much contrition that the confessor was amazed.
Having finished her confession, she went immediately before an altar of the Blessed Virgin to thank her advocate. She recited her Rosary, and the divine Mother spoke to her from her image, and said; "Helen, you have too long offended God and me. Hence forth change your life and I will bestow upon you many of my favors."
The poor sinner in confusion, answered: "Ah, Most Holy Virgin, it is true that hitherto I have been very sinful, but thou, who art all-powerful, assist me; I give myself to thee, and will pass the remainder of my life in doing penance for my sins."
Assisted by Mary, Helen bestowed all her goods upon the poor, and commenced a rigorous penance. She was tormented by dreadful temptations, but she continued to recommend herself to the Mother of God and always, with her aid, came off victorious. She was favored also with many supernatural graces, as visions, revelations and prophecies.
At last, before her death, of which she had been warned a few days previously by Mary, the Virgin herself came with her Son to visit her. And in death, the soul of this sinner was seen in the form of a beautiful dove ascending to Heaven.
Excerpt from St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary,
NY: PJ Kenedy & Sons, 1988, pp. 94-95
Posted April 6, 2019
NY: PJ Kenedy & Sons, 1988, pp. 94-95
Posted April 6, 2019
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