The 54-Day Rosary Novena consists of six nine-day Rosary novenas said sequentially—three in petition and three in immediate thanksgiving, whether the petition was granted or not.
This has become an immensely popular devotion to Our Lady. But did you know that she gave us this particular novena herself?
In the neighborhood of Pompei, Italy, in the 1880s, Blessed Bartolo Longo was hard at work spreading devotion to the Most Holy Rosary, particularly under her title of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei (read more about Bl. Bartolo and this image here).
At that time in the nearby city of Naples, a young woman named Fortuna Agrelli was suffering from terrible physical afflictions. It appeared that she was incurable, so she and her family prayed a novena of Rosaries, begging for Our Lady’s intercession.
Our Lady appeared to Fortuna, under the appearance of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei: seated on a high throne, her Child accompanying her along with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Dominic, a Rosary in her hand.
Fortuna addressed her as “Queen of the Holy Rosary,” begging her to be restored to health.
Our Lady responded:
“Child, thou hast invoked me by various titles and hast 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.”
Fortuna and her family obeyed, and she was fully cured.
Blessed Bartolo strongly promoted this novena, and Pope Leo XIII—an ardent apostle of the Rosary who wrote many encyclicals and apostolic letters on it—was deeply moved by Fortuna’s miracle.
You can learn more in Our Lady’s Rosary Novenas. This lovely book with a blue leatherette cover and beautiful color illustrations includes information on the 54-Day novena and other novenas, quotes from the saints on the Rosary, the 15 Promises of the Rosary, and more. Sure to become your Rosary companion! Pick up your copy today!
