St. Louis de Montfort: The Secret of the Rosary — A White Rose for Priests Who Preach the Gospel

Dear fellow priests who preach the truth of God to all nations, let me give you this little book as a white rose. Keep it in your heart, so that you yourselves may practice the Rosary and taste its fruits.

I beg you not to think of the Rosary as something of little importance, as do ignorant people and even certain great but proud scholars. Far from being insignificant, the Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God.

God has given it to you as a means to convert the most hardened sinners and the most obstinate heretics. To it He has attached grace in this life and glory in the next. The saints have faithfully practiced it, and the Popes have strongly endorsed it.

The Hidden Power of the Rosary

St. Louis de Montfort writes that when the Holy Spirit reveals this secret to a priest and director of souls, blessed indeed is that priest. Most people either do not know this secret at all or know it only superficially. But when a priest truly understands the power of the Rosary, he will pray it daily and encourage others to do the same.

God and the Blessed Mother will pour abundant grace into his soul so that he may become an instrument of God’s glory. Even if his words are simple, they will accomplish more good in one month than the words of many other preachers in several years.

Preach and Practice the Rosary

Therefore, dear brothers and fellow priests, it is not enough merely to preach devotion to the Rosary; we must practice it ourselves. If we truly believe in the importance of the holy Rosary yet neglect to pray it, people can hardly be expected to follow our advice, for no one can give what he does not possess.

As Scripture says, “Jesus began to do and to teach.” We ought to imitate our Lord, who first practiced what He preached. We should also follow the example of Saint Paul the Apostle, who desired to know and preach nothing except Jesus Christ crucified.

The Witness of St. Louis de Montfort

St. Louis de Montfort testified from his own experience that the preaching of the holy Rosary brought about remarkable conversions and abundant grace. He chose to share authentic testimonies of the Rosary’s power so that the faithful might better understand and embrace this beautiful devotion.