The novena
The Virgin Mary said to Fortuna Agrelli (1884):
“Whosoever desires to obtain favours from me should make
three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary in petition and three novenas in thanksgiving.”
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you” (John 15, 7).
The devotion begins when Our Lady appears to Fortuna Agrelli, a girl of Naples, that had suffered intense pain for 13 months. On February 16, 1884, she and her relatives began a novena of Rosaries for her recovery. Sitting on a high throne with the Infant Jesus on her lap, the Blessed Mother appeared to Fortuna on March 3. She held a Rosary in her hand and was accompanied by St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena.
Fortuna petitioned Our Lady, “Queen of the Holy Rosary, be gracious to me, restore me to health.” The Blessed Virgin replied, “...You have invoked me by various titles and have always obtained favours from me. Now, since you have called me by the title so pleasing to me, ‘Queen of the Holy Rosary,’ I can no longer refuse the favour that you petition; for this name is most precious and dear to me. Make three novenas, and you will obtain all.”
After Fortuna was cured, Our Lady appeared again. This time she said, "Whosoever desires to obtain favors from me should make three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary in petition and three novenas in thanksgiving." The miracle is said to have made a very deep impression on Pope Leo XIII, who urged all Christians to love the Rosary and say it fervently.
SEVEN GREAT BLESSINGS
- It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ;
- it purifies our souls, washing away sin;
- it gives us victory over all our enemies;
- it makes it easy for us to practice virtue;
- it sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord;
- it enriches us with graces and merits;
- it supplies us with what is needed to pay all our debts to God and to our fellow men, and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God."
