Visit Marian.org/IC Nov. 29 – Dec. 7 Join us for the Immaculate Conception Novena Iwould like to share a true story about the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the power of the Holy Rosary when prayed with faith and unfailing trust. In 2014, I was part of a group of pilgrims going to Rome to attend the historic canonization of Sts. John Paul II and John XXIII on April 27. On April 22, we were waiting for our flight at Charlotte International Airport. Instead of leaving on time, our flight was delayed for four hours. Once the four hours had passed, we were told that the flight would be delayed once again for two more hours. As you can imagine, all of the passengers grew impatient, grumbling, and complaining, myself included. Spiritual ‘air’ Suddenly, I was inspired to suggest that we pray the Rosary together, thinking about the words of St. Louis de Montfort and of St. Padre Pio, who said, “The Rosary is a strong weapon to overcome Satan.” I pulled the Rosary out of my pocket and called to the other pilgrims, “Passengers to Rome, come close and gather together!” Almost one hundred people gathered around me! I asked the crowd, “Do you have your spiritual weapon? If so, quickly take out your Rosary!” We began to pray the Rosary together, gathering in groups of 10 or 15. We were just about to finish the first decade when there was a surprise announcement: “Passengers to Rome, the plane is now ready to fly.” Our additional two-hour delay had vanished, and turned into a mere 10 minutes of boarding and loading onto the plane. It was a heavenly consolation, truly miraculous. We praised God and sang a Magnificat in thanksgiving! Resolve to pray During the flight to Rome, a retired army general approached and joined me in conversation. He told me his life story, especially how he had stopped praying the Rosary in college. The moment we had just experienced in the airport moved him, and he told me that he was resolved to pray the Rosary with his wife, and encourage his children and grandchildren to pray their Rosary every day, too. Let’s resolve to pray the Rosary every day, especially trying to do so with other people, in groups both big and small. The power of the Rosary and the efficacious prayers of the saints truly work miracles in our lives. Rosary ready for takeoff By Fr. Fidele Malanga, MIC When the Rosary is said in common, it is far more formidable to the devil, because in this public prayer it is an army that is attacking him. He can often overcome the prayer of an individual, but if it is joined to that of others, the devil has much more trouble in getting the best of it. — St. Louis Grignon de Montfort
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