, of course,
was apparent from its very origin. It was a special instrument of
divine Providence in troublous times of Church and Society. The various
parts of the rosary are admirably adapted to exercise such great power
and efficacy. The Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Creed, the Glory be to
the Father, and the Sign of the Cross, which are said in reciting the
rosary, are the most beautiful, I the holiest and most excellent of
prayers, and for this reason also the most potent and efficacious. The
mysteries of our holy faith, which are at the same time meditated upon,
embrace the entire work of our redemption, in its work (joyful
mysteries), its accomplishment (sorrowful mysteries), and in its fruits
(glorious mysteries). Meditation combined with prayer as it is
contained in the rosary renders it a perfect prayer. The rosary
furthermore is the best means of honoring Mary, and therefore it is the
best means for obtaining Mary's powerful intercession.

That we may understand and perceive the whole beauty and excellence of
the rosary let us closely view its component parts, and we will begin
to-day by considering the opening of the rosary, namely the sign of the
Cross. This has a most sublime meaning, and has of itself great power
and efficacy. It is a sign of honor, of blessing and of power. In this
threefold aspect let us consider it to-day.

I. The sign of the Cross is, first of all, a mark of honor. It reminds
us of the holy Trinity and of our relation to the triune God. The
Father has created us, the Son redeemed us, and the Holy Ghost has
sanctified us. God the Father created us after His own image, and
therefore we bear a resemblance to God in our souls. Our soul is a
spirit, as God is a spirit. It has understanding and free will; it can
be holy; it can become perfect, since our heavenly Father is perfect.
Our soul is immortal, as God is immortal, and it is destined to partake
in heaven of divine glory and happiness. Is there not in this
resemblance and likeness to God an unspeakably high dignity and glory
for man? We are reminded of this by the sign of the Cross. The Son of
God redeemed us through the Cross. After sin had reduced the human race
to a state of ignominious bondage the Son of God, moved by infinite
love, became incarnate for us, in order to make satisfaction for our
sins and to remove from us their awful consequences. From slaves of sin
and of the devil, He has made us just and children of God. Having