More than one hundred years ago our Founder, Fr. Damien Marie
Saintourens, O.P., wrote the following in his Journal:
“…When in days gone by, I made the resolution to preach devotion to the
Rosary, I did not think that a day would come when I would engage the
faithful to rise at night to recite it. Oh, wonderful work! How does it
happen that this devotion is not better known in the world? It does not
require too much, an hour of prayer each month, any hour at choice, to
be kept at home or in church. What must be done during the hour? Recite
the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary. This is the simplest and easiest of prayers —
more than ever I resolve to preach and organize the Perpetual Rosary.” (4 April 1870)
And, one hundred years later, Fr. Aniceto Fernandez, O.P., Master General of the
Dominican Order, affirmed once again the relevance and richness of this beautiful devotion:
“…the Perpetual Rosary Association responds fully to the needs of our days…This
Association, while increasing and working amidst the Christian people, intends to stimulate
souls to personal prayer, to an intimate living contact with Mary, with Christ and with the
Father, through the meditative recitation of the Rosary. In a world which grows more and
more agitated, distracted and which tends more and more towards exterior, sensible
realities, members of the Perpetual Rosary affirm the supremacy of spiritual values.” (4 July
1970)