The Rosary is a powerful and beloved form of prayer for Catholics. While its beauty lies in its simplicity, the Rosary is also associated with a set of 15 promises that Mary made to those who faithfully recite it. These promises offer spiritual, emotional, and even physical benefits to those who seek solace and guidance through this ancient prayer.
Tradition holds that Mary gave these promises to St. Dominic. While there is no official statement from the Church about the promises, Catholics derive them from different saints and popes throughout history. Thus, believing in them is a matter of private revelation.
1. Whosoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
Mary promises to bestow special graces to those who pray the Rosary with sincerity. These signal graces will show themselves to those who pray, signs from God that they’re going in the right direction.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
In times of spiritual, emotional, and material need, Mary pledges her help to those who turn to the Rosary for solace and support. She will especially watch over those who continuously go to her for aid.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
The Rosary is a powerful spiritual weapon against the influence and attacks of Satan. St. Josemaria Escriva wrote: “Blessed be that monotony of Hail Marys which purifies the monotony of your sins!”
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the heart of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
Reciting the Rosary brings inner peace and harmony into one’s life. Carefully meditating on the mysteries of the life of Christ, with Mary’s help, lifts our souls to the spiritual world. We remember why we’re here and it inspires us to pursue heaven.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
Mary assures that the prayers of Rosary devotees will be heard and answered by God, provided they align with His divine will. The Rosary helps leads the soul to transformation and salvation.
6. Whosoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of Eternal Life.
An unprovided death means not dying in a state of grace. The Rosary draws upon God’s mercy, asking for the grace to be ready when death arrives. Mary will help us obtain the graces to handle the challenges and sufferings of life without giving up.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
This promise means that the soul will have a chance to repent through the sacraments of the Church before death. This closely relates to the other promises, helping the soul to die in a state of grace and got to heaven.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the Light of God and the plenitude of His Graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the Merits of the Saints in Paradise.
The Rosary helps the faithful experience some of the heavenly life of God while still alive. Essentially, the one who prays the Rosary will be holy, here and now.
9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
This promise means that souls who prayed the Rosary while still alive will be assured of Mary’s prayer while they wait in Purgatory.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
The “degrees of glory” in heaven reflect the heavenly treasures gained while on Earth. While everyone in heaven will be perfectly happy, there will be different “degrees of glory” depending on our union with God before we die.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
This promise reinforces Mary’s role as our intercessor. Assuming our request is in line with God’s will and for our spiritual good, Mary’s prayers will certainly help us receive that request.
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
Spreading the devotion to the Rosary or helping others to pray it brings spiritual blessings. It’s important to not try to keep good things in our lives to ourselves. The Rosary works well because multiple people can pray it together.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
Mary promises that all the saints in heaven will join in her prayers for us if we pray the Rosary. This also includes the angels!
14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons and daughters, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
Meditating on the mysteries of Jesus and Mary necessarily leads us closer to them. We further deepen seeing Mary as our caring mother. Not only does she pray for us, but she understands the trials that come with life.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
In other words, praying the Rosary provides hints about our final destination in Heaven. This does not mean that our salvation is guaranteed. If it did, we would just stop making any more efforts for God. Still, the Rosary is a strong sign about where we’re headed.
