The Catholic Defender: The 15 Promises Our Lady gave for the Rosary. The Second Promise
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. From the time of the Apostolic age, the Church has always held high Mother Mary's special protection against evil.
St. Justin Martyr and St. Irenaeus recognized Mother Mary as the "New Eve" that she is the advocate of those abandoned. The Rosary is such an important part of that protection. The Lord places the importance of intercessory prayer and that is particularly true in regards to His Mother, that His followers are to love one another as Christ loves us.
From the Cross Jesus gave Mother Mary to St. John and through him, the whole Church. Revelation 12:17 states:
"Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus."
The Virgin Mary is the Mother of the Church, the Queen of Heaven. Going back to the early queens of Israel, beginning with Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, was placed in the court of the king for the purpose of intercession for the people of Israel. The concept of Mary as "Mediatrix" is solely because she is the Mother of Jesus and through Jesus, the Mediator between God and man, she intercedes for her children, the Church. No one is as close to Jesus as His holy Mother whose promise to offer special protection to those dedicated to the Rosary has merit.
Mary's protection is symbolically seen as a "veil" as a protective garment covering the faithful protecting them from the evil in the world. Many times that the Virgin Mary has appeared around the world, she is surrounded by the light of God's Glory. The images of the Apostles, saints, Virgin and Martyrs are pictured under her veil of protection. You should see yourself in this picture especially if your devoted to the Rosary and the Sacraments.
Throughout the history of the Church, Mary's intercession is seen to have diverted or ended plaques, wars, battles (Battle of Lepanto) and times of distress. Mother Mary has appeared over 2500 times for the cause of Christ. St. John Bosco was given a dream that faced the Church battling evil in the latter days. The Pope anchors the ship, the Catholic Church, to two pillars, one Pillar held a statue of Mary "Help of Christians" and the other pillar held a large Eucharistic Host, "Salvation for Believers". Our Lord Jesus Christ is calling for devotion to the Eucharist and His Holy Mother.
The second part of the second promise is her promise of the "greatest graces". I found 7 promises that Mother Mary gave to St. Bridget for those honoring her by the daily meditating on her tears and sorrows. I place those promises here as those of special significance. For me, these are great graces:
1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the Adorable Will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death; they will see the face of their mother.
7. I have obtained (this Grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.
The Seven Sorrows
The 7 Sorrows should not be confused with the five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
The Prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34–35) Hail Mary
The escape and flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13) Hail Mary
The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:43–45) Hail Mary
The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Via Dolorosa. Hail Mary
The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary. (John19:25) Hail Mary
The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Descent from the Cross. (Matthew 27:57–59) Hail Mary
The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. (John 19:40–42) Hail Mary
The above graces for the tears and sorrow of Mary I add to show what Mother Mary wants to offer to those devoted to the Rosary. There can be so much more that the Lord will grant Mary's intercession to accomplish on the personal level. That can be untold grace.
The first promise Mother Mary offers "Signal Graces", in this second promise, she is offering the "Greatest Graces". That becomes significantly more. All of us who have been practicing the Faith can speak to some of these graces in our own life. Many of us have had much sorrow in our lives and have depended on God's help and protection.
“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protections, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”
