In writing these memories, I implored several friends from the old days to set me straight on the exact structure of the Novena. Each person had a different version. I’ve reprinted one here. (Maybe you can figure it out.)
This devotion, which the author has called the “Rosary Novena to Our Lady,” is of comparatively recent origin.
“In an apparition of Our Lady of Pompeii, which occurred in 1884 at Naples, in the house of Commander Agrelli, the heavenly Mother deigned to make known the manner in which she desires to be invoked.
“For thirteen months Fortuna Agrelli, the daughter of the Commander, had endured dreadful sufferings and torturous cramps; she had been given up by the most celebrated physicians. On February 16, 1884, the afflicted girl and her relatives commenced a Novena of Rosaries. The Queen of the Holy Rosary favored her with an apparition on March 3rd. Mary, sitting upon a high throne, surrounded by luminous figures, held the divine Child on her lap, and in her hand a Rosary. The Virgin Mother and the holy Infant were clad in gold-embroidered garments. They were accompanied by St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena. The throne was profusely decorated with flowers; the beauty of Our Lady was marvelous.
“Mary looked upon the sufferer with maternal tenderness, and the patient saluted her with the words: ‘Queen of the Holy Rosary, be gracious to me; restore me to health! I have already prayed to thee in a Novena, O Mary, but have not yet experienced thy aid. I am so anxious to be cured!’
“ ‘Child,’ responded the Blessed Virgin, ‘thou hast invoked me by various titles and has always obtained favors from me. Now, since thou hast called me by that title so pleasing to me, “Queen of the Holy Rosary,” I can no longer refuse the favor thou dost petition; for this name is most precious and dear to me. Make three Novenas, and thou shalt obtain all.’
“Once more the Queen of the Holy Rosary appeared to her and said, ‘Whoever desires to obtain favors from me should make three Novenas of the prayers of the Rosary, and three Novenas in thanksgiving.’
“This miracle of the Rosary made a very deep impression on Pope Leo XIII, and greatly contributed to the fact that in so many circular letters he urged all Christians to love the Rosary and say it fervently.”—The Rosary, My Treasure, Benedictine Convent, Clyde, Mo.
The Novena consists of five decades of the Rosary each day for twenty-seven days in petition; then immediately five decades each day for twenty-seven days in thanksgiving, whether or not the request has been granted.
The meditations vary from day to day. On the first day meditate on the Joyful Mysteries; on the second day, the Sorrowful Mysteries; on the third day, the Glorious Mysteries; on the fourth day, meditate again on the Joyful Mysteries; and so on throughout the fifty-four days.
A laborious Novena, but a Novena of Love. You who are sincere will not find it too difficult, if you really wish to obtain your request.
Should you not obtain the favor you seek, be assured that the Rosary Queen, who knows what each one stands most in need of, has heard your prayer. You will not have prayed in vain. No prayer ever went unheard. And Our Blessed Lady has never been known to fail.
Look upon each Hail Mary as a rare and beautiful rose which you lay at Mary’s feet.
These spiritual roses, bound in a wreath with Spiritual Communions, will be a most pleasing and acceptable gift to her, and will bring down upon you special graces.
If you would reach the innermost recesses of her heart, lavishly bedeck your wreath with spiritual diamonds—holy communions. Then her joy will be unbounded, and she will open wide the channel of her choicest graces to you.
NOTE: In obedience to the decree of Pope Urban VIII and of other Supreme Pontiffs, the author begs to state that, in regard to what is herein narrated, no higher authority is claimed than that which is due to all authentic human testimony.
Made by the Blessed Virgin to St. Dominic and Blessed Alanus.
Those who propagate my Rosary shall obtain through me aid in all their necessities.