THE MARIAN PSALTER

 

St Louis de Montfort in his book THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY has something interesting to say to families who are proud that they say the Holy Rosary every day. 

The original rosary as given by Our Blessed Mother to St Dominic consisted of 150 beads of Hail Marys and was referred to as the MARIAN PSALTER. A psalter is a collection of praise hymns and the Bible has 150 such hymns in the book of Psalms. 

Therefore, the ROSARY is meant to be said as a psalter beginning with the JOYFUL, followed by the SORROWFUL and concluding with the GLORIOUS mysteries. In this way, when a ROSARY is recited, either by an individual or in a group like, say, in a family, the entire PSALTER has to be said. 

As a concession for little children, however, it was permitted that they do just five decades each day. Over the centuries, it became convenient and then the norm in families with little children to keep the children's version since there were always little children present. 

But, if one were to get really serious about this devotion, you need to get serious about doing all three sets a day.

They can be done altogether or, time not permitting, they can be done at three predetermined times in the day. Just like one does the Divine Office, one can keep an alarm for these times or ring a bell to call the family for the rosary. 

Why is the entire PSALTER necessary?

 One, because Our Lady herself gave it as the weapon that would crush the devil. If you need a combat weapon to defeat your enemy, look no further! The devil hates Our Blessed Mother and hates the rosary because you are praising the woman he hates 150 times! 

Second, the PSALTER takes you through the entire life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you contemplate each mystery, you unite yourself and your family to the mystical body of your Saviour. From that will come the graces to endure your trials and avoid the temptations that the devils throws at you.  

Third, and most important, Our Lady is a Mother. If we cling close to her 'apron strings', she will never permit any harm to befall us. She has promised and she keeps her promise. 

Those who were deep into addiction, those who have contemplated suicide have seen the miracle of saying the PSALTER. I will link some of these videos below. 

Pope John Paul II introduced the fourth set THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES. Some argue that Mother Mary did not give them so there's no need to say and I agree with this logic. But I also think it doesn't harm us or others to say five more decades if it will strengthen ourselves against the snares of the evil one. 

Videos

https://youtu.be/Dfyk53nrDzc

https://youtu.be/0pqSHr6ptJA