Would it be appropriate to recite The Litany of the Holy Cross on Good Friday?

I think it would be appropriate on the feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and on Passion Friday or after praying the Sorrowful Mysteries as the Litany.

EIGHTH ROSE
 MARVELS OF THE ROSARY IT WOULD HARDLY be possible for me to put into words how much Our Lady thinks of the Holy Rosary and of how she vastly prefers it to all other devotions.
Neither can I sufficiently express how highly she rewards those who work to preach the devotion, to establish it and spread it, nor on the other hand how firmly she punishes those who work against it.
All during life, Saint Dominic had nothing more at heart than to praise Our Lady, to preach her greatness and to inspire everybody to honor her by saying her Rosary.
As a reward he received countless graces from her; exercising her great power as Queen of Heaven she crowned his labors with many miracles and prodigies.
Almighty God always granted him what he asked through Our Lady.
The greatest honor of all was that she helped him crush the Albigensian heresy and made him the founder and patriarch of a great religious order.
As for Blessed Alan de la Roche who restored the devotion to the Rosary, he received many privileges from Our Lady;
she graciously appeared to him several times to teach him how to work out his salvation, to become a good priest and perfect religious, and how to pattern himself on Our Lord.
He used to be horribly tempted and persecuted by devils, and then deep sadness would fall upon him and sometimes he used to be near to despair—
but Our Lady always comforted him by her sweet presence which banished the clouds of darkness from his soul.
She taught him how to say the Rosary, explaining its value and the fruits to be gained by it and gave him a great and glorious privilege: the honor of being called her new spouse.
As a token of her chaste love for him she placed a ring upon his finger and a necklace made of her own hair about his neck and gave him a Rosary.
 Father Triteme, Carthagena and Martin of Navarre (both very learned men) and others as well have spoken of him in terms of the highest praise.
Blessed Alan died at Zunolle in Flanders September 8th, 1475, after having brought over one hundred thousand people into the Confraternity.
Blessed Thomas of Saint John was well known for his sermons on the Most Holy Rosary, and the devil, jealous of the success he had with souls, tortured him so much that he fell ill and was sick so long that the doctors gave him up.
One night when he really thought that he was dying, the devil appeared to him in the most horrible form imaginable.
There was a picture of Our Lady near his bed; he looked at it and cried with all his heart and soul and strength: “Help me, save me, my sweet, sweet Mother!”
No sooner had he said this than the picture seemed to come alive and Our Lady put out her hand, took him by the arm and said:
“Do not be afraid, Thomas my son, here I am and I am going to save you: get up now and go on preaching my Rosary as you used to do. I promise to shield you from your enemies.”
When Our Lady said this the devil fled and Blessed Thomas got up, finding that he was in perfect health.
He then thanked the Blessed Mother with tears of joy. He resumed his Rosary apostolate and his sermons were marvelously successful.
Our Lady blesses not only those who preach her Rosary, but she highly rewards all those who get others to say it by their example.
Alphonsus, King of Leon and Galicia, very much wanted all his servants to honor the Blessed Virgin by saying the Rosary.
So he used to hang a large rosary on his belt and always wore it, but unfortunately never said it himself.
Nevertheless his wearing it encouraged his courtiers to say the Rosary very devoutly.
One day the King fell seriously ill and when he was given up for dead he found himself, in a vision, before the judgment seat of Our Lord.
Many devils were there accusing him of all the sins he had committed and Our Lord as Sovereign Judge was just about to condemn him to Hell when Our Lady appeared to intercede for him.
She called for a pair of scales and had his sins placed in one of the balances whereas she put the Rosary that he had always worn on the other scale, together, with all the Rosaries that had been said because of his example.
It was found that the Rosaries weighed more than his sins. Looking at him with great kindness Our Lady said: “As a reward for this little honor that you paid me in wearing my Rosary, I have obtained a great grace for you from my Son.
Your life will be spared for a few more years. See that you spend these years wisely, and do penance.”
When the King regained consciousness he cried out: “Blessed be the Rosary of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, by which I have been delivered from eternal damnation!”
After he had recovered his health he spent the rest of his life in spreading devotion to the Holy Rosary and said it faithfully everyday.
People who love the Blessed Virgin ought to follow the example of King Alphonsus and that of the Saints whom I have mentioned so that they too may win other souls for the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary.
They will then receive great graces on earth and eternal life later on. “They that explain me shall have life everlasting.”

Litany of the Holy Cross
Lord have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us.
God the Holy Ghost,( the Paraclete,) have mercy upon us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us.
Sacred Cross + will of the Father, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + desire of Christ, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + communication of the Holy Ghost, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + power and wisdom of God, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + mercy and justice, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + full of the blessings of our Lord, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross ladder seen by Jacob, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross more healing than the brazen serpent, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross key of the kingdom of heaven, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross gate of Paradise, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross messenger of peace, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross light of the whole world, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the end of sacrifices , we venerate thee
Sacred Cross abolisher of the old law, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross canceller of types and figures, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross ark of the New Testament, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + cross more precious than riches, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross memorial of the passion of Christ, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross complaint of Mary, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross most holy altar, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + sacrifice of justice, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross memorial of the death of our Lord, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross instrument of our redemption, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross vanquisher of demons, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross monument of victory, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross chariot of the Conqueror, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the destruction of idols, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the repairer of divine glory, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + foundation of the Church, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + buckler of faith, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + the usher of a better hope, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + delight of the world , we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + attractor of all things to Christ, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross reconciliation of sinners, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + our righteousness and sanctification, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross ornament of Bishops, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross splendor of Kings, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross scepter of kingdoms, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross Conqueror of its opponents, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross defender of cities, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross protector of families, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross indissoluble bond of wedlock, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross armor of widows, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross guardian of orphans, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross continence of virgins, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross meditation of Recluses, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross portion of the Clergy, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross glory of the Priesthood, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + model of Pastors, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + who teaches us all truth, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the Book written within and without, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the eternal Gospel, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross governess of infants, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross instructor of youth, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + companion of our pilgrimage, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the sailor’s pilot, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross rest of those that labor, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross preserver of those that sleep, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross healer of infirmities, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross hope of despairing, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + light of those who sit in darkness, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + our place of refuge, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + our strong comfort, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + our help in trouble, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross mirror of penitents, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross reconciler of enemies, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross a folly to the gentiles, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross perfection of wisdom , we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + a scandal to the Jews, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + mystery of faith, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross scourge of heretics, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross hope of Catholics, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross terror of schismatics, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + bond of charity, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross dread of hell, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + mark of the elect, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross formidable to tyrants, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross lovely to us, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross chastiser of the wicked, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross preserver of the just, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross destroyer of the proud, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross exalter of the humble, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross bridle of the rich, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross wealth of the poor, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross extirpator of vice, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross source of virtue, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross appeaser of lust, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross exciter of chastity, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + leaving us an example, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + prudence of spirit, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross infuser of humility, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross figure of abstinence, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + test of our faith, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + bearing fruit in patience, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + rule of obedience, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + inflamor of zeal, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + inciter of fervor, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + joy of the Holy Ghost, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross seal of holiness, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + pledge of our inheritance, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross strength of the agonizing, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + help of the dying, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + foundation of all grace, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the death of death, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross the tree of life, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross sign of the Son of man, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + by which the world will be judged, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + the judge of justice, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + cause of our eternal salvation, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross desired object of angels, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross elevation of Patriarchs, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross foretold by Prophets, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + announced by the Apostles, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross proclaimed by the evangelists, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + glory of Martyrs, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross bright lamp of Doctors, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + narrow way of confessors, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + delight of Virgins, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + strength of holy women, we venerate thee
Sacred Cross + veneration of all the saints, we venerate thee
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us O Lord
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us O Lord
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us.

Blessed be the wood of the Cross
On which justice was made.

With the Lord there is mercy
And with Him is plentiful redemption

Prayer
O God, who has vouchsafed to consecrate the standard of the life-giving Cross with the precious blood of thy only begotten Son : grant, we beseech thee, that those who honor it with joy, may always rejoice under thy protection.
Preserve us, we beseech thee, O Lord, in everlasting peace, whom thou hast vouchedsafed to redeem on the holy wood of the cross. Who livest and reignest, God, world without end. Amen

Christ is all, and in all

Benedict, welcome again.

You look like someone who would appreciate praying the old litanies!

I do know an old litany of the Holy Cross that I found in an old Key of Heaven Prayer Manual, it is one of my favorites. I will post it in the submission thread for you.

'There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle the contests of temptation; and in the end the fullness of perfection.'

Pope St. Gregory the Great

May the mercy and goodness of the Spirit of God guide us through all sweetness, all temptation and into the fullness of all perfection through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen

A Poem I wrote July 17th in Praise after reading Psalm 1
Blessed are they whose Way is the Lord!
Blessed are they who walk in the counsel of the Lord!
Blessed are they who seek the Lord’s judgments!
Blessed are they who seek the righteousness of the Lord!
Blessed are they whom the Lord gives wisdom!
Blessed are the humble for the Lord prepares them by grace for glory!
Blessed are the meek for they shall abide forever!
Blessed be God who is One and Holy!
Blessed be God who is Peace and Love!
Blessed be God who is Justice and Truth!
Blessed be God who is Good and Wise!
Blessed be God who is Almighty and Sublime!
Blessed be God who is Eternal and Merciful!
Blessed be God who is Wonderful and Gracious!
Blessed be God who is Perfect and Fair!
Blessed be God who is Upright and Trustworthy!
Blessed be God who is Patient and Bright!
Blessed be God who is Unchanging and Benevolent!
Blessed be God who is All-knowing and All-seeing!
Blessed be God who forgives and counsels!
Blessed be God who heals and instructs!
Blessed be God who transforms and reforms!
Blessed be God who makes straight the uneven!
Blessed be God who makes clean the unclean!
Blessed be God who purifies the unholy that they may become holy!
Blessed be God who administers grace liberally!
Blessed be God who cleanses sinners thoroughly!
Blessed be God who works continually without failing!
Blessed be the people whose God is the Lord!
Blessed be the Word of God: it is Holy; it is True!
Blessed be the Seed and the Fruit!
Blessed and Holy is the Seed and the Fruit!
Blessed be God who brought forth the Seed: for His work bears fruit!
Blessed be God who created heaven and earth!
Blessed is the True Light of God!
Blessed are they who trust in the Lord: for they shall know the perfect peace of God!
Blessed are they who love their neighbors as their self and are humble before God!
Blessed are they who sit in the seat of holiness!
Blessed is the One who sits on the throne!

The Lord alone deserves glory, honor and power!
The Lord alone deserves praise, honor and worship!
The Lord alone gives life, light, truth, grace, and wisdom!

The Father delights in the Son!
The Godhead delights in the Word!
God’s Word roars, day and night as a Lion, with the praise of God!
God’s Word is as a Tree of Life planted between the pure rivers flowing with life; it brings forth fruit in every season, by day and night it bears fruit in abundance; its leaves never wither; its fragrant flowers ever in bloom; it is full of the prosperity of God and sustained by God’s Spirit; God’s Word is ever prosperous and filled with the Spirit of Truth!

God has bid the victorious eat from the Tree of Life; giving thanks to the Lord their God they rejoice in God their Savior; for God has supplied the greatest by the smallest of Seed; for the Seed that leads to godliness is grace! For we are driven to God by the perfection of His Spirit!

May God show mercy in His judgements!
May God show sinners the Way of Righteousness!
May God bring the wicked to repentance!

Together the godly and the sinner may rejoice worthily in the Congregation of the Righteous!
For the Lord knows the Way of the Righteous: for the way of the ungodly shall perish; but the Word of the Lord endures forever!

“I Confess with Faith”

St. Nerses Shnorhali the Gracious (1102-1173)

~

A prayer for every hour of the day

~

~

1

I confess with faith and worship you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

uncreated and immortal Essence,

creator of angels, humans and of all that exists.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

2

I confess with faith and worship you,

O Indivisible Light,

unified Holy Trinity and one Godhead;

creator of light and dispeller of darkness,

dispel from my soul the darkness of sin and ignorance,

and enlighten my mind at this moment,

so that I may pray to you according to your will,

and receive from you the fulfillment of my requests.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

3

Heavenly Father, true God,

who sent your beloved Son to seek the lost sheep.

I have sinned against heaven and before you;

receive me as the prodigal son,

and clothe me with my former garment,

of which I was deprived by sin.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

4

Son of God, true God,

who descended from the bosom of the Father,

and took on flesh from the holy Virgin Mary for our salvation;

crucified, buried, and raised from the dead,

ascended in glory to the Father;

I have sinned against heaven and before you;

remember me like the penitent thief

when you come into your kingdom.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

5

Spirit of God, true God,

who descended on the river Jordan,

and into the Upper Room;

who enlightened me by the baptism of the Holy Font,

I have sinned against heaven and before you.

Purify me again with your divine fire,

as the fiery tongues purified the Holy Apostles.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

6

Uncreated Essence, I have sinned against you,

with my mind, with my soul and with my body,

remember not my former sins

for the sake of your Holy Name.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

7

Beholder of all, I have sinned against you,

in thought, word and deed;

erase the record of my transgressions,

and write my name in the book of Life.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

8

O Searcher of secrets, I have sinned against you,

willingly and inadvertently, knowingly and unknowingly.

Grant forgiveness unto me a sinner;

since from my birth through the holy baptism, until this day,

I have sinned before you Lord,

with all my senses and in all the members of my body.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

9

All-provident Lord,

place your holy awe as a guardian before my eyes,

so that I may not look with askance;

before my ears, not to delight in hearing evil discourses,

before my mouth, not to speak falsehood,

before my heart, not to mediate wickedness,

before my hands, not to commit injustice,

before my feet, not to walk on the paths of iniquity;

rather, guide always my motions,

that they may be according to all your commandments.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

10

O Christ, the quickening fire,

inflame my soul with the fire of your love

that you dispersed over the earth,

so that it may consume the stains of my soul;

cleanse my conscience and my mind,

purify my body from sin,

and kindle the light of your knowledge in my heart.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

11

O Jesus, wisdom of the Father,

grant me the wisdom that I may always

think, speak, and do what is good in your sight;

deliver me from evil thoughts, words and deeds.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

12

Benevolent Lord, your will encompasses all that is good;

you are the director of the will.

Do not let me follow the inclinations of my heart;

rather, guide me to always walk according to your good pleasure.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

13

Heavenly King, grant me your kingdom

which was promised to your beloved,

and strengthen my heart to hate sin,

and to love only you, and to do your will.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

14

Upholder of all creatures,

preserve by the sign of your cross,

my soul and body, from the allurements of sin,

from the temptation of evil, from unjust people,

and from all dangers physical and spiritual.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

15

O Christ, guardian of all,

may your right hand guard and shelter me, day and night;

while at home and while traveling;

while I am sleeping and while I am awake,

so that I may never falter.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

16

My God, inside your open hand

the whole creation is filled with your bounty.

Unto you I commit my being; take care of me

and provide the needful for my soul and body,

from this time forth for evermore.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

17

Finder of the lost,

turn me away from my evil habits to good ones;

and imprint on my soul the dreadful day of death,

the fear of eternal punishment,

and the love of your kingdom,

so that I may repent of my sins,

and I may follow the path of righteousness.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner

˜˜˜˜

18

Fountain of immortality,

cause the tears of repentance to flow from my heart,

like those of Mary Magdalene,

so that before I depart this world,

I may wash away the sins of my soul.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

19

Grantor of mercy,

grant that I may come to you

with true faith, with good works,

and the communion of your Holy Body and Blood.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

20

Benevolent Lord,

commit me to a good angel,

who may deliver up my soul in peace,

and convey it undisturbed

through the malice of evil, to heavenly places.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

21

O Christ, the true Light,

make my soul worthy to encounter with joy

the light of your divine glory,

on the day I will be called by you;

and to rest in good hope,

in the mansions of the righteous,

until the great day of your coming.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

22

Righteous judge,

when you come with the glory of the Father

to judge the living and the dead,

do not enter into judgment with your servant;

but save me from the eternal fire,

and make me worthy to hear

the most blessed call of the righteous

for those who will enter to your heavenly kingdom.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

23

All-merciful Lord,

have mercy on all those who believe in you;

on my beloved ones, and on those who are strangers to me;

on all those I know, and on those unknown to me;

on the living and on the dead;

even forgive my enemies, and those who hate me,

forgive the trespasses they have committed against me;

and relieve them from the malice they bear towards me,

so that they become worthy of your mercy.

Have mercy upon your creatures,

and on me, a manifold sinner.

˜˜˜˜

24

O glorious Lord, receive the prayers of your servant;

and fulfill my requests that are deemed good.

Through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God,

and St. John the Baptist, and St. Stephen the first martyr,

and St. Gregory our Illuminator, and the Holy Apostles,

Prophets, Doctors of the Church,

Martyrs, Patriarchs, Hermits, Virgins,

and all your saints in heaven and on earth.

Unto you, O indivisible Holy Trinity,

be glory and worship, forever and ever. Amen.

This is an interesting point, furthermore we can see the difference in emphasis from John's epistles and Paul's. John emphasizes the confession of sins to God in order to be forgiven, where as Paul emphasizes confessing that Jesus is Lord for salvation.
I would say that both John and Paul do emphasizes the primacy of love, and I believe that is where we would see that Apostolic Truth that they both received from Jesus. John and Paul both are against judging one's brother or neighbor, which Jesus Himself taught, Judge not lest ye be judged by the same measure you shall judge.
Saint John, presumably lived in Ephesus with Mary during the time and was the recipient of the Letter to the Ephesians of Saint Paul.
Saint Paul in that Letter to the Ephesians that
17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

I believe that Saint Paul was praying that Saint John would receive a Revelation from Jesus Christ, and this is what we see in the Revelation of Jesus Christ given to Saint John on the Island of Patmos later on.
But this is just a theory that I believe.

Furthermore, we have Paul's witness of John in Galatians 2:9
9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

So John and Paul knew of one another and interacted with one another, the Apostles James, Cephas and John committing the Apostle Barnabas to be the companion of Paul, given that Jesus ordered Apostles to operate in two's in order to bear witness fully according to the testimony requirements of the Law.

So while John's Letters do not mention Paul by name, they do not disagree in any particular doctrines or in any way that should concern you.
John the Beloved, James the Just and Peter the Rock are the three most authoritative Apostles, with Paul claiming equality with the "super apostles" probably referring to these three.
Furthermore, as Paul founded Churches that made him a Bishop, and John in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, was commanded to write letters to the 7 Churches in Asia Minor which I believe had been established by Paul.

SEVENTH ROSE
 CROWN OF ROSES
EVER SINCE Blessed Alan de la Roche re-established this devotion the voice of the people, which is the voice of God, called it the Rosary.
The word Rosary means “Crown of Roses,” that is to say that every time people say the Rosary devoutly they placea crown of one hundred and fifty-three red roses and sixteen white roses upon the heads of Jesus and Mary.
Being heavenly flowers these roses will never fade or lose their exquisite beauty. Our Lady has shown her thorough approval of the name Rosary;
she has revealed to several people that each time they say a Hail Mary they are giving her a beautiful rose and that each complete Rosary makes her a crown of roses.
The well-known Jesuit, Brother Alphonsus Rodriguez, used to say his Rosary with such fervor that he often saw a red rose come out of his mouth at each Our Father and a white rose at each Hail Mary.
The red and white roses were equal in beauty and fragrance, the only difference being in their color.
The chronicles of Saint Francis tell of a young friar who had the praiseworthy habit of saying the Crown of Our Lady (the Rosary) every day before dinner. One day for some reason or other he did not manage to say it.
 The refectory bell had already been rung when he asked the Superior to allow him to say it before coming to the table, and having obtained the permission he withdrew to his cell to pray.
After he had been gone a long time the Superior sent another Friar to fetch him, and he found him in his room bathed in a heavenly light facing Our Lady who had two Angels with her.
Beautiful roses kept issuing from his mouth at each Hail Mary; the Angels took them one by one, placing them on Our Lady’s head, and she smilingly accepted them.
Finally two other friars who had been sent to find out what had happened to the first two saw the same lovely scene, and Our Lady did not go away until the whole Rosary had been said.
So the complete Rosary is a large crown of roses and the Rosary of five decades is a little wreath of flowers or a small crown of heavenly roses which we place on the heads of Jesus and Mary.
The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions and it is therefore the most important one.