Saint Who?
Saints Who Promoted the Rosary
Saint Paul VI
Pope († 1978)Feast: May 29
“Venerable brothers [bishops], we want you to take the lead in urging and encouraging people to pray ardently to our most merciful Mother Mary by saying the rosary.” Giovanni Battista Montini was born in Italy in 1897. Ordained a priest in 1920, he soon entered into a diplomatic career in service of the Church and was elected pope in 1963, taking the name Paul VI. He would soon extend the permission to bless rosaries (hitherto reserved to Dominicans) to all priests.
Paul VI oversaw the completion of the Second Vatican Council. His writings included clarifications of the Council’s work. Among these was Marialis Cultus, which endeavored to correct a post-conciliar lapse in Marian devotion. The document took several years to complete. In it he states: “By its nature the recitation of the rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are unfolded.” Paul VI died on the feast of the Transfiguration in 1978.
O God, through the power of the rosary,
grant healing and renewal to the Church.
