October & Living Rosary Association…
The following article, written by Kevin Rowles, one of our English readers,
is published here, with permission…
On May 26th 2020, Pope Francis authorized the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, to promulgate the Decree concerning the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Pauline Maria Jaricot, Foundress of the Societies of the “Council of the Propagation of the Faith” and of the “Living Rosary”, opening the way to her beatification. As we approach the month of the Rosary, I thought readers might like to know a little bit more about the important work of this incredible organisation.
The Living Rosary Association was founded in 1826 by Venerable Pauline Jaricot, then aged 27, at Lyon, France. The Venerable Pauline had already founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith at the age of 20, and was a close friend of the Curé of Ars. The Living Rosary devotion spread like wildfire throughout the world and was formally approved and richly indulgenced by Pope Gregory XVI, and accorded official canonical status on January 27, 1832.
The Living Rosary is a perpetual devotion. That is, once joined, you agree to pray a daily decade of the Rosary faithfully for the remainder of your life. This obligation doesn’t bind under pain of sin, but your effort and desire to remain faithful are crucial. Your decade may be offered at any time of the day or night. ULRA builds a list of 15 names of those who contact them, wishing to join the Living Rosary. Each of the 15 people are then allotted their specific mystery to pray every day and are notified by post which mystery they are to be allotted and when to begin it. The intention of the decade is always the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and in honour of Saint Philomena.
Patti Melvin of Texas, U.S.A began the revival of The Living Rosary Association on December 8, 1986, with 30 members. The apostolate has been richly blessed by Our Lady and under the powerful patronage of St. Philomena, the membership now stands at 8,000,000 and has been planted in every continent of the world. Each member is asked to voluntarily give a monthly donation if possible, as the organisation has no other means of financial support. The donations received are then ploughed straight back into spreading the Living Rosary devotion, maintaining the ULRA centre, and mailing devotional literature and sacramentals such as the Rosary, the Brown Scapular, the Miraculous Medal, St Philomena’s Cord and St Philomena’s Oil to the missions and elsewhere throughout the world. If it isn’t possible to donate financially, ULRA asks that its members pray fervently that its material needs are met. The Living Rosary has ecclesiastical approval and is affiliated to the Shrine of St Philomena at Mugnano, Italy.
One ULRA article states: “In these days of evil, chaos, confusion, division and Modernism, the Living Rosary will be a mighty force in every family, 
parish, diocese and country. The Holy Rosary is a gift to us from the Queen of Heaven. If the Rosary is prayed faithfully and is strengthened by the unity of association, it will render the attacks of Satan impotent. The Living Rosary is endowed with great power before the throne of God through the union of charity that flows through its members. Immense are the graces and merits obtained daily, by every member, when united and animated by the fire of Divine Love in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One who prays the Rosary alone receives the grace and merits of a single Rosary, but if he or she is united with EIGHT million members, then all of the graces and merits of the whole are gained.”
A regular newsletter called Dedicated Decades is posted to members. It is a beautiful magazine, full of traditional and inspiring Catholic devotional articles, pictures and prayers. It also contains reports of ULRA’s work and many testimonials from all over the world of spiritual and temporal graces received through the practice of the Living Rosary and the intercession of Our Blessed Lady and St Philomena. Dedicated Decades is a wonderful antidote to the spiritually poisonous literature so prevalent today. All ULRA literature and prayer cards show the Mass represented in the traditional form.
One letter published by ULRA, dated October 19th 2007, was heart-breaking to read:-
“Cher Madame Patti, Bonjour from Goma in D.R. Congo. We have not written to you for a long time because the situation here in Eastern Congo is the very worst in the world according to U.N. reports. We are so sorry we missed Emma’s visit to us (Emma – Emmanuel is the ULRA African Liaison). We hear now he is in Sudan. God bless him! Oh, the renegade rebel, General Nkunda of Rwandan descent is massacring our people in large numbers! Many teachers and pupils cried to me to give them the Miraculous Medal, so at least when they are shot, they will be dressed in Our Lady’s medal. I told them I had none as when Emma came, we told him not to come to us, as we feared for his life. I am so sorry to say that many of those who cried for medals have since been killed. We had over 320,000 refugees who lived here and now they have been scattered. We have no way to reach Emma. When will he be back in Rwanda so that he can send us the medals? When is he coming out of Sudan? We are in the middle of the biggest war. Rebels invade at night and kill, claiming to be protecting the Tutsi of Rwandan origin. Please save the situation. If only Emma could come, we might at least die wearing Our Lady’s Miraculous Medal. We beg you, let us at least die with Mother Mary. Hear our voice! We cannot pray now, because we are all running and hiding, but at least the precious Medal would be around our neck. Please reply. We have no other hope! Bonnie in Bukavu, Congo is also struck and cut off from us . . .”
A tragedy like this is certainly enough to put our own problems into perspective, and it should also act as a rebuke to those Catholics who display general indifference and sometimes even contempt towards the beautiful sacramentals that Our Lady has given to aid us in our journey towards eternal salvation. It should also act as a prompt to us, to help make such sacramentals available to as many others as possible.
I joined ULRA and was given my decade, the Nativity of Our Lord, to start on Christmas Day 2003. Through good times and bad, it is comforting to know that one is part of a great spiritual family, supporting each other and praying for the most important of intentions – the hastening of Our Blessed Lady’s promise given at Fatima: “In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph”. I urge you to join – you won’t regret it!
To join ULRA, or for further details, please contact:- In England: Anne Curran, Universal Living Rosary Association, P.O. Box 9964, Colchester, CO1 9FN. [email protected] . In America: Patti Melvin, Universal Living Rosary Association, P.O. Box 1303, Dickinson, Texas 77539, U.S.A. [email protected]
Comments invited…
Comments (26)
Well, no wonder Pope Francis isn’t bothering to consecrate Russia to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, he’s helping to spread her errors… Yet again, we find Sky News in Australia leading the reporting and not just on Covid-19…
Clearly, the need to pray hard for the Consecration of Russia is urgent, so it’s good to remind ourselves of this right at the beginning of the Month of the Holy Rosary…
On the subject of Pauline Jaricot – the story of her life is one of the books on the list for the home-schoolers with whom I have the pleasure of working. Her life is beautiful and well worth reading. Thanks to Kevin for the above, a very interesting and edifying article.
I’ve had an email from a friendly reader who wonders why I wrote “her” errors when referring to Russia.
I had originally typed “its” errors, then deleted that because I remembered that one of the things I found most convincing about the Fatima apparitions is the fact that, when questioned originally about Our Lady’s message about Russia, the children were asked what they thought Our Lady meant by “Russia”. Lucia reveals (I think in her memoirs) that they presumed it to be a woman, since Our Lady had said “her errors”.
Hope that clears things up for anyone who may think I’d made a mistake… As if…
Actually, I’ve been making the same mistakes so often now, I think of them as traditions 😀
Editor,
This pope is a total scandal. It’s hard to think that Andrew Bolt is not even a Catholic, yet he knows that this is just unbelievable.
When the pope is hand in glove with Communist China, it’s no wonder the world is completely off kilter.
I wasn’t that impressed with the priest – he seems to think the Church is for everything and anything but saving souls.
Laura,
I agree that this Pope is a total scandal. And yes, Andrew Bolt who is not even a Catholic knows that this is unbelievable – when Pope Francis is hand in glove with Communist China.
But, history has maybe set a precedent, when Pope John XXIII decided upon a Second Vatican Council. Cardinal Tisserant, Pope John’s representative who met Archbishop Nikodim who was the Kremlin spokesperson. Secret negotiations were held at the Little Sisters of the Poor Convent, near Metz, France.
Cardinal Tisserant, Pope John’s representative met Archbishop Nikodim, the Kremlin spokesperson in secret negotiations at The Little Sisters of the Poor Convent near Metz, France. The Pope wished for Observers from the Russian Orthodox Church to attend. But, the sting in the tail was that to have Russian Orthodox Observers in attendance at the Council. The Pope and the Catholic Church were not to condemn the communist regime of Russia, or, attack the Russian people. The Vatican/Moscow Agreement 1962 came about and has never been rescinded.
https://www.nuestrasenoradelasrosas.org/news1/VaticanMoscowTreaty.htm
Communism has never been condemned since, which Popes had done prior to this agreement. No wonder Our Lady appeared at Fatima in 1917 on the 13th of the month from May through to October. It is especially sad that in October 1917, the Miracle of the Sun happened, and, yet the Russian Revolution came about that same month. Russia’s errors have sure spread far and wide and yet such failures in obeying Our Lady’s request that Russia be Consecrated to her Immaculate Heart.
Editor,
It’s just too much to take in, a pope who is colluding with Communist China against the Catholic people and other Christians! Every other pope in history since Communism came into being has condemned it. What is going on in the Vatican?
I think it’s important that this information is given at the start of the month of the Holy Rosary because it should really compel us to prayer ever harder for the Consecration of Russia – and I, personally, think that will require a new pope, a truly believing pope.
Thanks Ed for the above article and your work in Spreading The True Catholic Faith. I know that Pats on the Back are mostly worthless but sometimes it’s good to know that You are appreciated. As for Our Blessed Lady we know why She is not now only Hated but Detested as these Evil Satanic People rage around the World. One of my favourite Films is The Song of Bernadette where Bernadette is asked ” What is A Sinner ” this so called uneducated Girl said
” A Sinner is One Who Loves Evil ” her Doctor said ” Notice that She did not say One who does Evil but One Who Loves Evil “. I have no doubt that Prayers said for me to Our Lady were answered more than I could have imagined. As for Francis ah well what more can one really say . God Bless. J.D.
The Universal Living Rosary Association is well worth joining. So many Marian / Rosary apostolates that used to be good, have been infiltrated and corrupted by novelties and false apparitions these days – many promote Medjugorje, the Luminous Mysteries, etc, etc – not so the Universal Living Rosary Association. It ‘holds fast to that which is good’ and does amazing work throughout the world. The ULRA offices in the USA were almost completely wiped out by a hurricane some years ago, but they carried on regardless. I have such great admiration for all of them. And all those decades being offered up each day for the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – these decades may well win the graces needed for the Pope to Consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so that the Triumph can be realised. Anyway, I urge you to join, and also to help promote it to others. Your daily decade takes about 5 minutes, but you have to enrol and be allotted the decade first (details in the article above). And so much is accomplished through it. It also heartens me that with the help of donations from the faithful, ULRA gives so many sacramentals away throughout the world, free of charge. A truly traditional and beautiful apostolate. They do pamphlets on the life of Ven Pauline Jaricot as well.
I have been a member of the Living Rosary for more than 30 years, though I cannot in all honesty say that I have always been faithful to my extra daily decade. It’s a magnificent apostolate. Imagine hundreds of thousands of Catholics all over the world offering one decade each per day, it’s a brilliant means of staying the hand of God from punishing a world that is deserving of His wrath. The more rosaries we offer the better we become as individuals and the better the Church and the world will be ultimately.
I would also like to remind everyone that today is also dedicated to our holy Guardian Angels. Maybe we could all take a minute or two in prayer to honour and thank our Guardian Angels for so much assistance that we all take for granted and to ask their help in this particular era in history when the demons have been let loose from Hell.
Athanasius,
Thank you for that reminder about today being the Feast of the Guardian Angels – beautiful. I went off to find the hymn to the Guardian Angel and this is the only one to come up – I thought I’d post it here to mark the day (although it’s late in the day, sorry!)
I just love that hymn to the Guardian Angel. Such memories from my childhood singing it. It’s just beautiful, thanks.
I, like Athanasius, have to admit that I am a bit lax at saying the decade I signed up for.
I was at the Holy Well in Sligo, my father`s birthplace, the town, not the well : ), in 2000, when my wife and I were asked to join The fourth and fifth decades of the Joyful Mysteries were allotted to us. We still have the cards with St Philomena on the front.
I made the mistake of leaving it to the last act of the night but sleep normally takes over before I finish. I never seem to learn.
I will make an effort now to change it to a time when I`m more alert: if there is such a time. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
WF,
That’s great news that the ULRA has not fallen into any of the errors, such as Medjugorje, Luminous Mysteries etc. Brilliant.
It’s also very encouraging to think of the rosaries being offered for the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – as you say, this just might be the way to the Consecration of Russia.
Westminster Fly,
The Universal Living Rosary Association sounds wonderful. I agree that those extra decades must make a huge difference in the world and it would be wonderful to think they might hasten the consecration of Russia.
I notice you mention donations but is this something you have to do when signing up? Is there a stipulated amount, for example, or is it left to individuals?
Laura,
It tells you in the article that people are encouraged to sign up and pledge a monthly donation but if unable to afford, it to pray fervently that their material needs will be met. They do a lot of good distributing scapulars etc so it is a worthy cause.
There isn’t a stipulated amount to join as far as I am aware, they just request you donate as and when you can. Check with the ULRA UK representative Anne Curran [email protected]
That’s an impressive article by Kevin Rowles, I didn’t know anything much about the Venerable Pauline Jaricot before reading it, and I was very moved by the message from the Congo. To think people are begging for medals of Our Lady to die with! That’s so amazing.
I always love the devotional threads on here and this one is no exception. I’ll need to read the article again to take it all in, it’s beautiful.
Nicky,
That’s interesting that you appreciate the devotional threads – they’re usually the least popular, judging by the numbers. This one is certainly an exception to that rule, Deo gratias!
I’ve just received the following litany in honour of the Sacred Heart from a reader in Wales, with a request to publish it, so, since I’m fairly confident that Kevin won’t mind interrupting the flow of his thread, I thought I’d place it here for the edification of one and all…
AN ACT OF REPARATION TO THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Humbly kneeling before You, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we renew our faith and love for You – to make up for our shortcomings, negligences – also for all those who forget Your great love, we humbly declare that:-
The more the world ignores our Holy Catholic faith
the more we believe in it. O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
The more atheism strives to take away hope in eternal salvation
the more we hope in You, Sacred Heart our only hope
The more human minds and hearts refuse Your grace and love
the more we love You, Infinite Love and worthy of love, Sacred Heart!
The more disbelief spreads among the human race
the more we believe and honour You, Divine Heart of Jesus!
The more the world forgets Your Commandments and disobeys them
the more we desire to obey them, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
The more Your Holy Sacraments are forgotten and dishonoured
the more we shall receive, love and honour them, O Lover of Mankind!
The more Hell strives to see souls eternally damned
the more zealous we shall be to save them, O Jesus Our Saviour!
The more indifferentism and pride destroys faithfulness to moral obligations
the more we want to offer our work and sacrifices, to make up to Your Sacred Heart, so mistreated with ingratitude!
The more wickedness the devil schemes against Your Church
the more we shall cling to it and be faithful, O Heart of Jesus!
The more the world opposes the authority of Your Church
the more we shall obey it and follow its teaching, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Seat of all Wisdom!
MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, GRANT US THIS GRACE AND STRENGTH, THAT WE, FAITHFUL CHILDREN OF YOUR CHURCH, BECOME APOSTLES OF YOUR LOVE AND TEACHINGS, HERE ON EARTH AND IN YOUR KINGDOM, YOUR GLORY. AMEN
I didn’t know very much about Pauline Jaricot so I searched and found this article which is really interesting – she had a couple of very interesting famous friends!
https://www.scross.co.za/2020/01/the-amazing-life-of-pauline-jaricot/
She is a real model for young women today, especially, IMHO, those of the middle class who are well to do and rising in the world.
I hope it won’t be too long before her Cause progresses.
As opposed to, and in reparation for the October revolution, let’s see if we can have an ‘October resolution’:- (a) if you’re not already members of ULRA, join up – (b) if you are members but have lapsed in saying your daily decade or making regular donations, make a fresh effort to start again, and (c) tell others about the ULRA apostolate.
I meant to add – ULRA has an additional amazing apostolate of sending traditional Catholic reading material and sacramentals to prisoners in the USA – some even on death row. Many have been converted. Some of the letters from the prisoners, published in the ULRA magazine ‘Dedicated Decades’ are heartbreaking.
I joined the Living Rosary some years ago. but didn’t realise that the intention should be the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. Do you always have to mention the intention or is it automatically understood?
Check with the ULRA rep Anne Curran [email protected] but I think that when you first join you’re given literature explaining the intention of the decade. Once you know that, I presume the intention doesn’t have to be explicitly re-made each day – although it wouldn’t harm to remind oneself occasionally, I suppose.
There are a lot of Trump fans here. Little mention of Trump’s hospitalisation and diagnosis. Is this because the hero of CT now has the virus that everyone believes to be a “scamdemic “?
Editor: how wrong can one be! I haven’t checked the Trump thread to see if anyone has commented on the diagnosis, but if not, then I suppose, like moi, our bloggers fully expect him to make a speedy recovery, as, er, he seems to be doing! 😀 Maddening for all those lefties who wish him to die, and say so publicly. Now, since I can smell a troll a mile away, thanks to intense recent experience, byeeeee – you and your other fake IDs!
Editor,
You sound as if you know who this troll is – please spill !
Lily,
I know exactly the identify of that daft troll. He hasn’t even got the brains to change his MO – always the same; a string of crackpot non-comments, coming fast and furious, under different identities. What a plonker. When he turns up afresh, after a break, I give him the chance to make an idiot of himself for yet another five minutes of fame and then block him. Well, I have to have a bit of fun, as well, now and then. These are hard times, as you know. 😀
But don’t worry – he will still mosey on up to Confession and Communion like the model Catholic.
Now, I’ll await an email (in my junk folder – he’s blocked there as well) desperate to convince me that it’s not he, honest, “would I lie”…
You have to laugh.
Ha Ha – the email arrived as predicted!
He remarks that he imagines I am so holy that I would not notice who approached for Communion – sure thing. He’s right there. Lost in mystical contemplation, me.
I didn’t say I noticed. I said “He WILL still mosey on up…” etc.
Game, set and match to humble ole me – again! Why O WHY do I have to be so clever? It’s a real pain at times…
https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/06-Short-Jokes-Anyone-Can-Remember-nicole-fornabaio-rd.com_-1024×683-1024×683.jpg
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