The School of Mary

The rosary is the school of Mary. Whoever takes the hand of the Mother will be guided step by step, Hail Mary after Hail Mary, and led directly to her Son Jesus Christ. The rosary teaches us how to pray--not only by reciting the Ave Maria, but by meditating upon the mysteries of our salvation and contemplating the Lord with the eyes of the one human being who loved Him more than any other. The rosary is a school of prayer opening a path that leads us into ever deeper knowledge and love of God. It is a powerful prayer--like a strong army--that changes first ones own life, but then also the whole world around us. The rosary--a little chain that helps us contemplate five mysteries of the life of Jesus--is comparable to the Psalms, for David brought but five little stones against Goliath. With the rosary we overcome the giants who would make us fear the many challenges and sorrows that surround us.

MONSIGNOR FLORIAN KOLFHAUS, a priest of the German Diocese of Regensburg, works in the Secretariat of State as a diplomat of the Holy See. He has a PhD in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical "Gregorian" University and also has a Master's degree in canon law. Msgr. Kolfhaus is an associate member of the Pontifical Academy for Marian Studies (PAMI). He is the author of a number of articles and books on spirituality and theology, including Totus Tuus Maria: Personal Consecration to Our Lady.