Recite Your Rosary

"Tell me a Mary story."

In my family, like many Catholic families, my parents placed an emphasis on our Baptismal saints. My brother, named after St. Blaise, has the physician of souls and patron saint of throats watching over the millions of words that come out of his mouth every day. My sister has the power of all the St. Catherine’s – St. Catherine of Siena, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Catherine of Alexandria – guiding her through her high school years. Then, there is me, Caroline Louisa, with my Baptismal saint being St. Louis de Montfort.

Now, for the longest time, I didn’t know who this man was. I thought, “Gosh Mom, you couldn’t have even given me a female Baptismal saint?” I never turned to him in times of need or anxiety. I never knew the power of my Baptismal saint, until this year when he played a pivotal role in a spiritual growth spurt I experienced.

For the first 18 years and 3 months of my life, I hadn’t yet discovered the potential of my faith and the ability I had to grow in it. In Catholic school, I approached my faith the way I approached many other responsibilities by following the rules and accomplishing tasks: I was an altar server - check; I went to Mass every Sunday - check; I volunteered in my parish – check. What else did I need to do? More importantly, what more was I to gain?

More. So much more.

Coming to UVA, joining Catholic Hoos was an easy choice. However, once I stepped on Grounds, now an official adult on my own, I realized how much I still needed to grow in my faith. I am sinful. I can be self-reliant. I can be unsatisfied with all God had given me. My priorities were on all things except the Lord. Catholic Hoos and the community of STA gave me a push to dive headfirst into the glory and joy of all the Lord has to offer.

At UVA, I have room to grow and explore my faith on my own terms. Last semester was a semester of spiritual growth. I prioritized my prayer life in ways I never thought of before. I learned the importance of scripture and the Sacraments. I experienced relationships unlike any others – full of vulnerability, depth, and true love of each other and of Christ. I was finding who I was in Christ.

However, I didn’t do it alone. One of the first big steps I took in the growth of my faith was finding a love for the Holy Mother and the Rosary. Early in the semester, I received an unexpected Amazon package. Inside, was a book from my mom – The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort. Reading this book changed both my spiritual and material life. The Rosary is powerful. It is a weapon that Satan can’t destroy. Satan is weak and worthless against those who pray their Rosary. Since that moment, I have grown into the habit of praying the Rosary daily and I don’t think I can ever go back. Every morning, saying my daily “Hail Mary, full of grace” washes away any stress or fear, or worry in my life. I am brought to peace, knowing the Queen of the Holy Rosary is praying for me and by me every day.

St. Louis de Montfort also taught me that Mary is my spiritual mother. Again, out of nowhere, another one of his books, his 33 Day Guide to Marian Consecration, appeared in the St. Thomas Aquinas Common Room. For 33 days, I was reminded that Mary is praying for us, fighting for us, and loving us more than any person ever could. Jesus, weak and dying on the cross, used some of His last breaths to give us all a spiritual mother that adores us, no matter how far we stray. This consecration to Mary encouraged me to pray the Rosary every day because it was a free opportunity to talk to Mary for 20 minutes straight. What a gift!

The Blessed Virgin has been the greatest advocator of Christ and lover of all God’s children. Mary presented and made herself loved by St. Louis de Montfort. She encouraged my own mom when choosing St. Louis de Montfort to be my Baptismal saint. Mary revealed herself to me through the power of the Apostle of the Most Holy Rosary, so that I would be able to grow in love for my faith. The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary has changed my life; allow her to change yours as well.

Remember, always “Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with humility.” (St. Louis de Montfort)

Saint Louis de Montfort, Apostle of the Most Holy Rosary; pray for us!
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary; pray for us!

Hello friends! My name is Caroline Bell, a first-year from Richmond, VA, double majoring in Computer Science and Music. My biggest passions are playing the violin and dancing, and I hope to find the time to learn about 20 more instruments and master every style of dance. You can probably always find me at the AFC, prayer journaling with a smoothie bowl from Juice Laundry.