The FIAT Rosary
Origins
The FIAT rosary originated from a spiritual experience by Veronica O’Brien
during the night between 7 and 8 September, the feast of the Nativity of Mary,
in 1984. Here is the account she herself gave the following day to Cardinal
Suenens :
"During the night before the Nativity of Mary, I was saddened by the thought
that although Mother's Day is becoming more and more popular and that the
birthday of Mary, the Mother of all mothers, would not be celebrated in
Christian homes
In my prayers, I said to the Lord: "Jesus, tomorrow is the feast of the Nativity
of your Mother. Every child in the world gives his mother a present for her
birthday. What will you give your Mother, Jesus?" And suddenly, as a spiritual
flash of light, I saw in my mind an image of a small, reduced rosary, and I
thought I heard the Lord say to me: ‘Here is my birthday present to my Mother;
it will help her to make me known to the very ends of the earth. Make it known
all over the world.’
Its originality
The FIAT rosary combines in one prayer three joyful, three luminous, three
sorrowful and three glorious mysteries, each one consisting of three Aves,
within one rosary. This allows one to live each day, in union with Mary, the
most fundamental mysteries of the life of Jesus. Originally there were no
luminous mysteries. On a couple occasions, however, Veronica confided that she
would not hesitate to adapt the FIAT rosary if there were an important reason
for doing so. So it happened that after the Apostolic letter of John Paul II The
Rosary of the Virgin Mary (2002) that three luminous mysteries were integrated
into the FIAT rosary.
People who wish to do so can certainly continue to pray the FIAT rosary with the
nine mysteries. It is recommended, however, that they meditate regularly on the
luminous mysteries. The essence of the letter from the Holy Father is that one
allows oneself to be guided by Mary in the contemplation of the image of Christ
in order to better know and better follow Him who is the Way the Truth and the
Life.