“MARY and the Rosary are the best ways to approach Almighty God in prayer.”​—Jean.

“If you needed any help from Mary, it could be most effectively obtained through the use of the Rosary. I would never go anywhere without it!”​—Kevin.

“We were taught that you must pray to God through Mary.”​—Jeannine, a former Catholic nun.

Is there a real basis for such confident reliance on the Rosary? Did God, Christ, or Mary recommend its use? What do history and God’s Sacred Word say about it?

Mary and the Rosary

Mary is called “Queen of the Holy Rosary.” She is accredited with admonishing Catholics to “Pray the Rosary.” The most common Rosary, “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” is traced to the 12th century C.E. and reached its definitive form in the 15th century. The Rosary and Mary go hand in hand, since she is seen as the promoter of the Rosary and the one to whom the greatest importance is given in prayer.

Why all the emphasis on Mary and the Rosary? In reply Catholic authorities point to what the angel Gabriel said to her: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28, The New American Bible) Mary appreciated that her part in the conception and birth of Jesus, although important, was insignificant when compared to the exalted position that the Son she was to bear would receive. Concerning him, the angel Gabriel went on to say: “Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. . . . His reign will be without end.”​—Luke 1:32, 33, NAB.

Notice that attention was to focus, not on Mary, but on the Son she was to conceive​—Jesus. He was the one who would be great and rule as King. (Philippians 2:9, 10) Nothing is said about appointing Mary as the “Queen of the Holy Rosary.” Mary did, however, receive a blessing; she became the mother of Jesus.​—Luke 1:42.

Mary was not an ambitious woman, seeking prominence. She was happy and content to be a humble worshiper of the Most High God. Her meek, submissive disposition is revealed by her response to the angel Gabriel when she said: “I am the handmaid [servant] of the Lord.” (Luke 1:38, The Jerusalem Bible) Throughout her life, Mary proved to be a sincere woman of faith, a lover of righteousness, a loyal and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ who joined with fellow worshipers in humbly praying to Almighty God. The early Christians prayed with Mary, not to her.​—Acts 1:13, 14.