The Secret of the Rosary - Mystical Rose
A Mystical Rose Tree - For Devout Souls
GOOD AND DEVOUT SOULS, who walk in the light of the
Holy Spirit: I do not think that you will mind my giving you
this little mystical rose tree which comes straight from Heaven and which is to be planted in the garden of your soul. It cannot possibly harm the sweet smelling flowers of your contemplations; for it is a heavenly tree and its scent is beautiful. It will not in the least interfere with your carefully planned flower beds; for, being itself all pure and well-ordered, it inclines all to order and purity. If it is carefully watered and properly attended to every day it will grow to such a marvelous height and its branches will have such a wide span that, far from hindering your other devotions, it will maintain and perfect them.
Of course you understand what I mean, since you are
spiritually-minded; this mystical rose tree is Jesus and Mary
in life, death and eternity; its green leaves are the Joyous
Mysteries, the thorns the Sorrowful ones and the flowers, the
Glorious Mysteries of Jesus and Mary. The buds are the
childhood of Jesus and Mary, and the open blooms show us
both of them in their sufferings, and the full-blown roses
symbolize Jesus and Mary in their triumph and glory.
A rose delights us because of its beauty----so here we have
Jesus and Mary in the Joyous Mysteries. Its thorns are sharp,
and prick, which makes us think of them in the Sorrowful
Mysteries, and last of all its perfume is so sweet that
everyone loves it, and this fragrance symbolizes their
Glorious Mysteries.
So please do not scorn this beautiful and heavenly tree, but
plant it with your own hands in the garden of your soul,
making the resolution to say your Rosary every day. By
saying it daily and by doing good works you will be tending
your tree, watering it, hoeing the earth around it.
Eventually you will see that this little seed which I have
given you, and which seems so very small now, will grow
into a tree so great that the birds of Heaven, i.e., predestinate
and contemplative souls, will dwell in it and make their
nests there. Its shade will shelter them from the scorching
heat of the sun and its great height will keep them safe from
the wild beasts on the ground. And best of all, they will feed
upon the tree's fruit----which is none other than our adorable
Jesus, to Whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
So be it.
GOD ALONE
The Canada54 National Novena includes a daily reading from the Secret of the Rosary.
There are exactly 54 readings.- A white rose for priests;
- A red rose for sinners;
- A mystical rose tree for devout souls;
- A rosebud for little children;
- Plus 50 roses representing each Hail Mary recited during 5 decades of the Rosary