The name of the Beautiful Lady

Do you want to know why my name is Rosaria?

At night, under the glow of the moon, we gathered around our father to listen to the story of his life, as was our nightly tradition. I asked him, “Father, why am I called Rosaria? I don’t like this name.” He paused, looking me in the eye, and we all waited for his answer. Then, he proceeded to explain the meaning of my name and why he had chosen it for me. “During the invasion of Indonesia in 1975, we faced a food crisis and could not venture out to look for food or water because of the presence of bombs everywhere. We sought refuge in the forest, where many lost their lives. As we walked, some of my friends died and we suffered greatly from hunger and thirst, feeling like helpless animals. Famine spread throughout the country.

I was so sick and found refuge with my godparents, who gave me excellent care as they were very pious. My condition worsened and each day I grew weaker until I finally lost consciousness and fell into a coma, seemingly on the verge of death. Throughout this ordeal, my godparents fervently prayed the rosary as my body grew cold and only my heart kept beating. In a vision, I saw a woman who was dazzling, beautiful, radiant, and calm. She sang Hallelujah in an incredibly charming way and her voice was truly captivating. Even after thirty minutes, he continued to sing endlessly. I didn’t know where he was, but his serene face and melodious voice remained indelible in my memory. Almost an hour has passed, and I regained consciousness and realized that I was sick. My godmother remained by my side praying the Rosary.

I woke up and they told me what was happening to me. I told them about the vision and they told me that it was Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, because they prayed for her miracles to heal me. From that moment on, I committed myself to love her, the Lady I know “OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF FATIMA”. I decided that when I have daughters, I will name them after them as a way of thanking Him for His miracles in my life. That’s why I called your older sister Fatima and you Rosaria. I know I can’t pay the Lady; More than giving my daughters her name, it is my way of honoring her, offering her to you who are very weak. That is why, when I say your name, I remember my Lady, who once saved me from death. And you are my special gift to her.”

After knowing the meaning of my name, I learned to love Our Lady more in my life. And my father’s words are my great advice: “When you face difficulties in life, call on Our Lady, whom I have entrusted to your care. My father’s faith is my lamp in my dark moments. It is true that since I have offered my life to Jesus, Our Lady is the light that leads me to Him. Tomorrow, as I celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, I also celebrate the feast of her maternal love, her company and her guidance over me because I knew all the ways of Jesus, the best teacher of life in following Jesus.

When I decided for the first time to follow the missionary vocation, I was overwhelmed by fears and doubts. I was in a dilemma and almost gave up on this beautiful decision. It took me a while to have a dialogue with my Lady. However, my father’s faith in Our Lady has given me hope to trust in Her, as my father has entrusted to Her. Finally, for the sake of the Lady, I have chosen the best Congregation, which are the Dominican Missionary Sisters of the Rosary who bear the name of their patroness. I assure you that Our Lady’s guidance is the best way because she will never abandon anyone who seeks her refuge.

For me, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary has more meaning than my birthdays. To celebrate the feast is to thank Jesus for giving me Mary and my father, for teaching me to love Mary. By following Mary’s FIAT, I will learn to love Jesus more and more every day. She is the woman I will call upon when I face the storm or am afraid. Their best company is my comfort and my home. I love you, Our Lady of the Rosary.

HAPPY FEAST OF THE LADY OF THE ROSARY!

Rosaria A. Ximenes (a Junior professed in Aldaia, Valencia, Spain)