The Convert's Rosary

OF all the many devotions practised by the Catholic Church, there is none so universally popular as the recitation of the Rosary. The reason is obvious. It appeals to all classes and conditions of people. Rich and poor, learned and ignorant alike, find in it one of their greatest consolations and spiritual helps. Wherever we go, East or West; from the humblest country homestead to the fashionable church in Mayfair; from the mysterious gloom of "Notre Dame des Victoires" in Paris to the proud Basilica of St. Peter at Rome, we see the familiar beads in use. The Church tells us that this devotion originated about seven hundred years ago, and was first made known to St. Dominic through a vision of our Lady. Whatever its antiquity may be, the fact remains, that over two hundred millions of Christians practise it, and thereby bear witness to its worth. When We Converts " lay aside the old man and put on the new" we are expected, in making a profession of our faith, to make also a general act of acquiescence in the devotions sanctioned by the Church. The latter is far too wise and indulgent a mother to expect us to learn all our lessons in a day. When, through storm and stress, We have at last reached the fold, she allows us at first to rest in her arms, and listens calmly and without reproof to our petulant declaration that we cannot practice what we do not understand. In her infinite wisdom she knows that, ye cannot dwell long on her fold whilst remaining a stralrger to all that she holds sacred and dear. So she gently soothes her tired child, and bides her time. Little by little, sooner or later, ho, 'ever, she has her way, and the once wayward one succumbs to the comfort of fingering the beads.