St. Louis de Montfort: The Secret of the Rosary — Fourth Rose

All things, even the holiest, are subject to change, especially when they depend on human free will. It is therefore not surprising that the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, established by St. Dominic, gradually lost its early fervor after about a century and, in many places, was almost forgotten.

It is believed that the devil’s influence and human neglect played a role in this decline, as the Rosary is a powerful means of drawing down God’s grace into the world.

Around 1349, Europe was struck by a devastating plague that spread from the East across many nations, including Italy, Germany, France, Poland, and Hungary. Entire cities, towns, villages, and monasteries were left nearly empty, and very few survived. This great calamity was soon followed by further trials, including the rise of the Flagellant movement and a tragic Church schism in 1376.

After these events, and by God’s mercy, devotion to the Rosary was renewed. Our Lady is said to have inspired Blessed Alan de la Roche, a Dominican theologian and preacher in Dinan, Brittany, to restore the Rosary Confraternity. Because the devotion had originally flourished in that region, it was fitting that it be renewed there.

In 1460, Blessed Alan began this work after receiving a strong interior inspiration from Our Lord while celebrating Mass. According to his account, Christ spoke to him from the Sacred Host:

“How can you crucify Me again so soon?”

Shocked, Alan asked what He meant. Jesus replied that He had been “crucified again” not by new physical suffering, but by the neglect of souls who had the knowledge and ability to preach devotion to His Mother but failed to do so. Because of this neglect, many souls were not being guided away from sin.

Deeply moved by this spiritual warning, Blessed Alan resolved to preach the Rosary with renewed zeal and perseverance.

Our Lady is also said to have encouraged him, reminding him of God’s mercy in his own life and of her desire that he become a faithful promoter of the Rosary. She expressed that converted sinners are especially dear to her, and that she desired him to help bring many souls to God through this devotion.

St. Dominic also appeared to Blessed Alan, confirming the great spiritual fruits of the Rosary and urging him to continue its promotion. He emphasized that the Rosary leads souls to true virtue and conversion.

In this way, the Rosary was first established by St. Dominic and later revived through Blessed Alan de la Roche, so that it might continue to draw souls to Christ through the intercession of Mary.