The Miracle of the Rosary
image credit: http://www.nashvilledominicans.org
Today is the Feast of St. Dominic. The modern recitation of the holy rosary has its beginnings with St. Dominic. Read more about the history here. St. Dominic said, “One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world.” If you don’t know how to pray the rosary, here is a helpful link.
Oftentimes, we expect miracles to take the form of visions or healings. But miracles also happen when a person’s heart changes. The following is a true story.
When I was about ten years old, one night after supper, I was sitting on the couch doing my homework. My parents began to argue over bills they couldn’t afford to pay. Each time my mom would yell, my dad would yell louder. It made me feel anxious to see the two people I loved most in the world screaming at one another. Don’t they love each other, I asked myself. And why won’t they stop yelling?
At one point, Dad said something about moving out. Oh God, please, I don’t want my dad to move out. Mom replied, “That’s good.” Please, Mom, don’t say that. I looked at them, but neither of them saw me or the panic in my eyes. They only glared at each other. My father went upstairs. I ran after him and watched as he got a suitcase out and started putting clothes in it. God, why won’t you stop him?
I passed by my bedroom and noticed my rosary sitting on the bedside table. I grabbed it, sat down on my bed and began saying the rosary. As I said each Hail Mary, I pleaded with Our Lady, “Holy, Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” Please, Our Lady, don’t let my Dad leave us. As I was saying another Hail Mary, my dad walked by my room and didn’t notice that I was there. He stomped down the steps. I couldn’t hear whether he said goodbye, but I listened as the door slammed shut. “Oh, God, please make him come back.”
I continued to say the rosary, each Hail Mary becoming more fervent than the last. I prayed until my heart was bursting. Please, God, listen to my prayer. I began to recite the Hail Holy Queen prayer at the end of the rosary and suddenly, I heard the door open downstairs. Without finishing, I stood at the top of the stairs and I could see my dad standing in the doorway. Mom walked over to him. At first, they were silent. Then, my father started to cry. “I can’t leave you. I can’t leave my family.” He and Mom embraced. I began to cry with joy.
Thank you, God, and thank you, Our Lady, for bringing my Daddy back.
My parents remained married until my father’s death in 1978. Dad was buried with his rosary in his hands. Mom died seven years ago, on this very feast day. May they both rest in peace.
Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach
