Devotion to Our Lady: Mary's blessing and the 54-day novena

To be asked in the beginning and at the end of the WORK, in getting up and going to bed, in entering and leaving the church, at home, and in times of temptations, after having recited the Ave Maria.

Queen of the Rosary of Pompeii, Great Mother of Jesus and my Mother, bless my soul from heaven. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. So be it.

S. Alfonso de 'Liguori, so tenderly devoted to the Madonna, resorted to her very often. He did not let the day's action pass without invoking Mary; his day was a continuous invocation to the Madonna. "Lucky those operations, writes the Holy Doctor, which are closed between two Hail Marys!"

NOVENA OF THE ROSARY OF 54 DAYS

The Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii later appeared to a very sick woman who praying to Mary under the title of Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, appeared to the incurably ill Fortuna Agrelli in Naples in 1884.

Fortuna Agrelli had been suffering from terrible pain for 13 months, the most famous doctors could not cure it. On February 16, 1884 the girl and her relatives began a novena of Rosaries. The Queen of the Holy Rosary rewarded her with an apparition. Mary sat on a high throne surmounted by luminous figures, she carried the Divine Son on her lap and on her hand a Rosary. The Madonna and Child were accompanied by San Domenico and Santa Caterina from Siena.

The throne was decorated with flowers, the beauty of the Madonna was wonderful. The Holy Virgin said to her: Daughter, you have invoked me with various titles and you have always obtained various favors from me, now as you have called me with the title so pleasing to me, "Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii", I cannot refuse you the please ask me, because this is the most precious and dear name for me. Say 3 novenas and you will get everything.

Once again the Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii appeared to her and said:

"Anyone who wishes to obtain favors from me should make three novenas of the prayer of the rosary in petition and three novenas in thanksgiving"

HOW IS THE NOVENA RECITED?

The novena consists in the recitation of the Holy Rosary every day for 27 days in petition, then immediately afterwards always continue with the recitation of the daily Rosary for another 27 days in thanksgiving, regardless of whether the grace has been granted. Before each mystery, a text divided into 5 must be read, written by Blessed Bartolo Longo. All this for 54 days.

It is a very long novena but many devotees recited it with faith and obtained the much desired graces. (This Novena truly tests our faith! We are witnesses of what we affirm for the innumerable graces that the Queen of the Holy Rosary has given to her devoted children and for the countless testimonies collected:

Place the prodigious image in a distinct place and, if you can, light two candles, a symbol of faith that burns in the heart of the believer. Then take the Rosary crown in your hands. Before beginning the Novena, pray to Saint Catherine of Siena that she deigns to recite it with us.