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THE "FIRE OF HOPE" CONTINUES...
THE UNIVERSAL LIVING ROSARY, TODAY!
In the year 1836, Pope Gregory XVI bestowed upon the Association the special blessing of its patronage. He imparted this blessing in person upon Pauline as representative of the Association: "Now all the Living Rosary is under the protection of Saint Philomena. Pray to Saint Philomena, whatever you ask from her she will obtain for you." In 1849, Pope Pius IX immortalized Saint Philomena when he bestowed upon her the title: Patroness of the Children of Mary. For years, as many as 1,000 religious articles a day were sent from the Center of the Living Rosary in Lyon to missions throughout France and Asia.
After the death of Pauline, the administration of the Living Rosary was turned over to the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans. They already held claim to the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary and did not exert great effort to promote her Association. In time it came to be viewed as a "stepping stone" to the Confraternity. Its constitution, foundress and patroness were absent. Through the years that followed, a group here and there was begun in isolation, and in time lost contact.
On December 8, 1986, Richard and Patti Melvin, in an effort to honor Saint Philomena and win her favor, began the revival of the Living Rosary. With skeletal information, hope and a dream, 30 people were united to pray a daily decade for a common intention: The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the honor of Saint Philomena.
The first foreign member to be enrolled was Solomon from Ghana, West Africa, the first parcel of sacramentals was sent airmail to him in 1988. The parcel cost $60.00 to mail and took nearly six months to arrive. Solomon will be ordained a priest in Ghana this year, and today, in Ghana alone, there are over 10,000 members! Thus began the long and expensive, but most vital, missionary effort that is so much a part of this apostolate today. During the year of 1995, over $100,000 was donated to ship literally 'tons' of sacramentals and good Catholic literature to the missionary members of the Association.
The associates numbered over 60,000 in 1991 and over 180,000 in 1994. Today membership is at 1,000,000 with members in every country of the world. Well established Centers of the Living Rosary are in operation in 23 countries. The quarterly newsletter, "DEDICATED DECADES", is translated into six languages.
Throughout the course of the work constant contact has been maintained with Rome. The Vicar of His Holiness, the late Peter Canisius Van Lierde, wrote: "Continue with fervor, discretion and strength your intelligent apostolate. Saint Philomena bestows upon you God's precious continuous blessings and help." 20 Catholic Bishops and thousands of priests and religious from throughout the world are enrolled today in the Association.
Pauline Jaricot was often want to say, "we are, each of us, petit fourmi or little ants". Our united prayer can enkindle the whole world with the fire of Divine Love. The infernal pride of Satan will be overcome by the humble prayer of little ants, carried in the Immaculate Heart of Mary! Join us today in this universal prayer. Be zealous in its spread throughout the world by your apostleship, your sacrifice and your voluntary contributions.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Living Rosary, please send us your name and full address to the Universay Living Rosary enrollment center nearest you. . We will build a list of 15 names. When the Rosary is complete, the decade you have been assigned and the day to begin will be mailed to you.
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