2nd EDITION1 | HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, YEAR THREE
ETERNAL WISDOM
“What joy is greater than the joy brought by love?”
—St. Pope John Paul II, “Letter to the Children”2
“Watch ye, therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)
“And be not conformed to this world; but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2, Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)
THE ROSARY HOUR PODCAST | “Agere Contra” IDEAS FOR LENT
PRAYER OF THE TRANSFIGURATION:
“LORD, IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE” (Matthew 17:4)
SUNDAY 16 MARCH 2025 | THE ROSARY HOUR PODCAST NEWSLETTER
To those who are called, to those who are dear to God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ. We wish you all mercy and peace and love.
The Rosary Hour Podcast Newsletter and Rosary Channel celebrates this weekend three years of rediscovering the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Thank you for being part of this conversation.
AGERE CONTRA: PREPARING AND DISPOSING OURSELVES FOR GOD
For the 2025 Lenten Season during this 2025 Jubilee Ordinary, we invite Pilgrims of Hope to reflect on the words 'Agere Contra' coined by St. Ignatius of Loyola.
St. Ignatius teaches us how to “prepare” and “dispose” our souls created to “praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord” by “mak[ing] ourselves indifferent to all created things” so that, on our part, we will “prefer health to sickness, riches to poverty, honor to dishonor, a long life rather than a short life” … but, AGERE CONTRA — “I will desire and choose only what is most conducive for us to the end for which we are created.” —St. Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises3
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #1: “THE WAY OF SORROWS” | VIA CRUCIS
There are many options for conducting this devotional prayer time approaching 3:00 HOUR MERCY or on Friday evenings, etc.
Help families, classroom teachers, etc. to consider making time to think of how they can sacrifice together — to contemplate the Holy Wounds of Jesus Christ, to re-enact His sorrowful passion, and to ask for mercy on the whole world.
DEVELOPING AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER
Fr. Nuno notes that today’s Gospel in the 2nd week of Lent invites all of us to develop “an attitude of prayer” from the heart, as Jesus did when he climbed Mount Tabor to pray and to listen to the voice of God. Like the apostles, each of us is called to “listen to Him”.
The term AGERE CONTRA describes the deliberate effort one must make to strive to overcome his evil tendencies by doing the opposite of that to which he is sinfully inclined”, as the apostles were inclined to fall asleep instead of praying during the Agony in the Garden, we might strive to console Jesus by finding new ways to rediscover the sacrificial offering of “The Way of Sorrows” and pray the Stations of the Cross, with renewed zeal.
The Stations of the Cross provide a spiritual exercise that models the decision 'to act against' or 'to act otherwise’ — a.k.a. to do the opposite of what you “feel”.
THE VALUE OF ON PLENARY INDULGENCES
“A Plenary Indulgence is granted to the faithful who make the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross. Those who are impeded can gain the same indulgence if they spend at least one half an hour in pious reading and meditation on the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ” (c.f. Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, no. 63 MMXVI).
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #2: OFFERING HOLY MASSES FOR HOLY SOULS
IN EXPLAINING THE FAITH — “PROOF OF PURGATORY?”, Fr. Alar explains why the Holy Mass is the best way to help Holy Souls.4
We invite you to listen to the following video to learn more about how we can help the Holy Souls in “Is There Proof of Purgatory?” explained by Fr. Chris Alar, narrator of the Rosary Hour Podcast.
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #3: A SECOND HOLY COMMUNION FOR HOLY SOULS DURING LENT?
We thank you all for sharing with others, either by word-of-mouth, or sharing this link — Fr. Thad Lancton’s explanation of the Jubilee Ordinary Decree which invites us to find time to go to Holy Mass TWICE in one day to receive a 2nd Holy Communion as a PROXY FOR A HOLY SOUL.
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #4: PRAY AT 3 PM for 40 DAYS THROUGH APRIL 27th
(THE HOUR OF GREAT MERCY, INSTRUCTIONS: JESUS to ST. FAUSTINA)
ON THE TOPIC OF WHEN TO PRAY, JESUS TOLD ST. FAUSTINA:
At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion (Diary, 1320).
Set an alarm on your phone and pray at 3 p.m. for Holy Souls.
Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory at 3 PM EVERY DAY
O most gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the souls of Thy departed servants. Be not severe in Thy judgments, but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames. And do Thou, O Merciful Savior, send Thy holy angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Amen.
As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world — mercy triumphed over justice. (1572)
PRAY THE CHAPLET TO THE DIVINE MERCY
AND finally,
My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. (1572)
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #5: RHP RESOURCES FOR LEADING “THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS”
Below, the Rosary Hour Podcast has added a HANDY “VIA CRUCIS” text:
Visit our new site: catholicpilgrimage.substack.com.
A FEW MORE DOWNLOAD OPTIONS:
“WAY OF THE CROSS” by St. Alphonsus, a PDF from Holy Rosary Cathedral https://www.holyrosarycathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/click-here.pdf
IN PORTUGUESE: https://irmandadedocarmo.org/via-sacra/1758-2/
IN FRENCH: https://www.terrasanctamuseum.org/fr/en-savoir-plus/les-quatorze-stations-de-la-voie-douloureuse/ (TERRA SANCTA, JERUSALEM, 9100101 St. Saviour Monastery, St. Francis street – POB 186)
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #6: FIND NEW WAYS TO INSPIRE DEVOTION of the WAY OF THE CROSS with SACRED ART
Teach others about “The Pieta”
ART HISTORY 101 — ICE BREAKERS TO DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER via the “THE WAY OF SORROWS”
The following video is by an Art Historian and a Licensed tour guide in Rome who talks abouts “The Pietà” by Michelangelo Buonarroti.5
POINT 1: Explain to others who Michelangelo Buonarroti is — (often referred to simply as Michelangelo) and how this sculpture is “an iconic representation of one of the Stations of the Cross”.
POINT 2: Review the life story of this painter, architect, and poet who was born 6 March 1475 and entered eternal life 18 February 1564. Then watch this video.
POINT 3: SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND ITS HISTORY
For history buffs, there is an opportunity to contextualize this prayerful pilgrimage which can be completed in any Church with the images of the 14 Stations — while also reviewing the history here:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stations-of-the-Cross
POINT 4: PRAY THE STATIONS YOURSELF BY GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE SCRIPTURAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Familiarize yourself with St. John Paul II’s SCRIPTURAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS to understand the context of “The Pietà”.
POINT 5: “The ‘Pietà’ is in fact Michelangelo’s faith sculpted in marble.”
USE VISUAL AIDS to CREATE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. Catch a virtual glimpse of the Pietà with Cardinal Angelo Comastri, President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, who explains:
“The new lighting, also curated from a scientific point of view, allows us to admire and better understand the universal value of Michelangelo’s work. The ‘Pietà’ is in fact Michelangelo’s faith sculpted in marble. The Artist wanted to highlight in Mary’s young face an ever-present message: avoiding sin is the only true cure for beauty and eternal youth. The work can now be enjoyed more”.
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #6: 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS PRAYER CHALLENGE
FROM MARCH 19 to APRIL 27, PRAY THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES WITH THE ROSARY HOUR PODCAST & OUR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS
Pray with the Rosary Hour Podcast
POINT 1: Reflect back on the story that most resonates for today’s suggested prayer journey. "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed," ... when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.
POINT 2: As you reflect on how God calls us to change our old habits in a 40 day period, read also, in Mark 1:12-15 for inspiration:
"And immediately the Spirit drove him out into the desert. And he was in the desert forty days and forty nights, and was tempted by Satan; and he was with beasts, and the angels ministered to him. And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying: The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel.POINT 3: Review below a Rosary outline that might inspire prayer of these Mysteries every day starting today for 40 days:
A video decade Rosary will follow soon, led by Fr. Anthony Gramlich and Fr. Elias Mary Mills with Blythe Kaufman and Amelia. Visit our YOUTUBE ROSARY CHANNEL HERE.6
POINT 4: LITANY TO ST. JOSEPH, TERROR OF DEMONS
Add the Litany to St. Joseph to the end of the Rosary, and if you haven’t started the novena to St. Joseph, there is still time to honour the foster father of Jesus in the 3 days leading up to this important Solemnity by using the prayers posted by Amelia here:
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #7: REMINDER | NOVENA TO THE ANNUNCIATION BEGINS ON MARCH 19 until MARCH 25
Pray the decade Rosary for the Annunciation with Amelia and Fr. Peter Turrone, pastor at Holy Rosary here:
AGERE CONTRA IDEA #8: REPARATIVE ROSARY PRAYERS & ADORATION
POINT 1: A PERPETUAL PRAYER of REPARATION taught by the Angel of Portugal prior to the apparitions of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary:
“MY GOD, I BELIEVE, I ADORE, I HOPE, AND I LOVE YOU”
“I BEG PARDON FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, DO NOT ADORE, DO NOT HOPE, AND DO NOT LOVE YOU.”
POINT 2: How can we imitate the Angel that appeared in VALINHOS?7
Each year, March 21, 2025 provides yet another opportunity to learn to take on the attitude of reparative prayer that was specifically taught to St. Jacinta, St. Francisco, and Ven. Lúcia by the Angel of Portugal. These APPARITIONS OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION demonstrate an attitude of prayer where the angel is prostrated, bowed down until his forehead touches the earth, encouraging the three children to develop a catechesis of Reparative Adoration, which transforms faith into hope and love as evoked in the following prayer taught by the Angel:8
“Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And, through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.”POINT 4: EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES EXHIBIT SPOTLIGHT ON “BOLSENA ITALY”, AUTHORED BY: SAINT CARLO ACUTIS (www.carloacutis.com)
We invite you to read about the Eucharistic Miracle which inspired Corpus Christi with author, Saint Carlo Acutis who helps us to imagine the why of Eucharistic Adoration:
EM PORTUGUÊS
ESPAGÑOL:
ITALIANO
POINT 5: What is the significance of the history of LENTEN LAUS PERENE as depicted in today’s video?
On the eve of the Russian Revolution and one year before Our Lady’s apparitions in 1917, we recall on the 21st of March this apparition of the Angel of Portugal to St. Jacinta, St. Francisco and Venerable Lúcia in a pilgrimage featured at the end of today’s video, led with the sung prayer of the “Meu Deus” as the group prays along the Via Sacra.
205 years before this apparition of the Angel in Valinhos, Archbishop D. Rodrigo de Moura Telles began the “Lenten Lausperene” in 1710, and this tradition in Braga, the City of the Archbishop turns the landscape of churches boasting of rich Sacred Art made of porcelain, damasks and goldwork, allowing for the doors of certain parishes to stay open through LENT so the city and its visitors can pray unceasingly before the Blessed Sacrament during this penitential time.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for reading our newsletter ideas on how to put on the attitude of prayer during Lent. God bless and thank you for being part of this conversation for the last 3 years.
The Rosary Hour Podcast Team
FOOTNOTES
Edition 1: Reviewed by Karen and Izzy w/ Amelia w/ Notes on First Saturday from Fr. Elias (December 2024) and video notes from Padre Nuno’s 40-hour Lausperene devotion (February 2025). Fr. Looney explains the Five First Saturdays Devotion in this video.
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1994/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_13121994_children.html
The first edition of this newsletter did not insert the AGERE CONTRA transition in this sentence. The meaning is now much clearer. With apologies as the translation requires this extra refinement in the sentence.
Pilgrims of Hope can make that extra step to offer Holy Masses for Holy souls in purgatory — all of whom can benefit from our prayers, fasting, almsgiving, and even our efforts to pray the Chaplet (especially as we take advantage of Divine Mercy Sunday) which falls on the 27th of April this year, the date of the Canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis and anniversary of the 27 April 2014 Canonization of St. John Paul II, which also took place on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Bishop Barron’s episode trailer for the Pivotal Players episode:
Take the time to teach the DECADE ROSARY with the following tutorial led by Fr. Peter and Amelia and Blythe:
Na Segunda e Quarta Memórias de Lúcia, redigidas respetivamente em 1937 e 1941, Lúcia deixa o registo mais completo das aparições do Anjo, por três vezes, na primavera, verão e outono, aos três pastores de Fátima, Jacinta, Francisco e a própria Lúcia. O Anjo, que se apresenta como Anjo da Paz e ainda como Anjo de Portugal, convida-os a uma vida comprometida com os «desígnios de misericórdia» de Deus.
Cf. Memórias da Irmã Lúcia I. 14.ª ed. Fátima: Secretariado dos Pastorinhos, 2010, p. 77-79; 169-171.
Our Podcast will present the apparitions of the Angel in the next post.
(Edited by AG)
Share this post