By Kim Griffin • Posted November 16, 2021

Want to elevate your prayer life?

Thanks to YouTube’s algorithm, I’ve discovered Gregorian Chant Rosary and it is in a word, divine.

Gregorian Chant is sacred music sung in Latin (or less often Greek) and emerged in the 9th and 10th centuries. Traditionally, it is sung by men or boys in churches, or by men and women in religious orders.

While it is usually used to sing the Mass or worship services it is very suitable for praying the rosary.

Throughout history the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared to holy and ordinary people alike always with the message to lift our voices in prayer to be united with her son, Jesus.

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In the 12th century, Catholic tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Dominic (founder of the Dominican order), telling him, “My dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity has used to reform the world?”

“My Lady,” replied St. Dominic, “you know better than I because next to your Son Jesus Christ you were the chief instrument of our salvation.”

Our Lady added: “I want you to know that the principal means has been the Angelic Psalter, which is the foundation of the New Testament. That is why, if you want to win these hardened hearts for God, preach my Psalter.”

As Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote in “The Secret of the Rosary,” “The saint arose, comforted. Filled.”

St. Dominic had prayed to God prior to Mary’s appearance and had fasted for three days. He was troubled by the threat of the Albigensians who were attempting to take over France and teaching heresy. He pleaded with God to instruct him on how to deal with this threat.

Mary answered and told St. Dominic to focus on the mysteries of the Psalter, on Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection, which contradicted the teachings of the Albigensians. The “Psalter” had been developed by the Cistercians and included praying 150 Hail Marys divided by Our Fathers into groups of 10.

For the next five years St. Dominic followed Our Lady’s advice and instructed Catholics how to pray the mysteries of the rosary.

In 1213, the power of the prayers of the faithful were put to the test. St. Dominic and Count Simon de Montfort were given joint command of Catholic forces and planned to fight the Albigensians in a small town in France. The Albigensians had the numbers in their favor, fielding 30,000 while the Catholic forces had a mere 1,500.

With surety of their upcoming victory the Albigensians spent the night before the battle drinking. The Catholic forces spent the night praying the rosary and going to Mass and reconciliation. And as the count ventured into battle with the enemy, St. Dominic prayed at a church for their victory. And they were victorious!

The hung-over Albigensians were caught off guard as the Catholic forces rushed over them, forcing them to retreat. The Catholic forces credited the divine assistance from praying the rosary as responsible for the victory.

Throughout history, Our Lady has shown that she is aware of our troubles and desires us to place them before Jesus. Today, practicing Catholics are facing growing hostility. And teachings contrary to the Catholic Church are embraced, instead of the Gospel of Jesus. The holy rosary is a timeless spiritual weapon that can strengthen us in these times.

St. Augustine said that he who sings prays twice. So if you want to storm the gates of heaven, consider praying the holy rosary with Gregorian Chant.

Give a listen to it here on YouTube.

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Kim Griffin is a member of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Philadelphia.