The St. Monica Ministry Rosary: Its Origin and Design
The painting La Madonna della Cintura (Our Lady of the Belt), by the 18th century artist Giovanni Gottardi, hangs above the tomb of St. Monica in Rome’s Basilica of St. Augustine. It depicts the appearance of Our Lady to St. Monica, who had sought Our Lady's help in bringing her son Augustine back to the Faith. Mary came to Monica and gave her, as a token of maternal consolation, the black belt that she was wearing. St. Monica later bequeathed the belt to her son Augustine who, after his conversion, gave it to the members of his monastic community. To this day, the Augustinians wear a black belt as part of their habit.
The image of Our Lady of the Belt is widely known as Our Mother of Consolation. Depictions of Our Mother of Consolation show Mary with the Child Jesus holding the belt. This pose is significant because it shows the cooperation of Mary, giver of motherly care and comfort, with her divine Son, Who is the Source of all consolation.
The St. Monica Ministry rosary was inspired by an actual pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Augustine, which houses La Madonna della Cintura. The colors of the rosary beads, which echo the colors in the painting, are significant.
Artists often use the color blue to symbolize royalty, and the color rose to represent devotion. In the St. Monica Ministry rosary, the blue and rose of the Hail Mary beads tell us who Mary is and what Mary does. The color blue denotes Mary’s royal status as Queen of Heaven and the mother of our King, Jesus Christ. The color rose tells us that Mary loves us with the tenderness of a devoted mother.
The black of the Our Father beads stands for the black belt that Our Lady gave to St. Monica. Because Our Lady comforted Monica by giving her the belt, the beads represent the promise of consolation.
Gold symbolizes divinity and the presence of God. St. Monica herself knew that each of us - whether faithful, prodigal, or somewhere in between - is constantly under God’s loving gaze.
When we pray on the beads of the St. Monica Ministry rosary, we are asking our heavenly Queen to give us the strength and solace that she gave to St. Monica. We turn to her as children turn to their mothers, trusting them to provide for their needs. Those of us who are waiting for our fallen away loved ones to return home to the Church will find consolation in the knowledge that “Nothing is far from God.”
St. Monica Ministry Rosary-making Meets
On the third Saturday of each month from 10:00am to 12:00pm, we gather at the St. Theresa Parish school building (300 Leonard Street, Hellertown) to assemble St. Monica Ministry rosaries. All are welcome to join us, and no experience is necessary. Visit the Cottage of Christian Curios or scan the QR code for dates of upcoming meets. Also see the Cottage of Christian Curios website for St. Monica Ministry rosaries and lovely religious gifts for friends and family.
St. Monica Ministry Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals
Trusting in the power of the rosary to change hearts, the members of the St. Monica Ministry regularly pray the Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals. Recitation of the Rosary of Supplication is accompanied by original meditations that speak to both the needs of prodigals and to the yearning of those who are awaiting their loved ones’ return to the Faith. Five decades of the Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals are recited at each of the St. Monica Ministry’s monthly Holy Hours of Petition and Hope. To receive a copy of the Rosary of Supplication meditations, please email [email protected]
St. Monica Ministry Supplication Rosary set
In imitation of St. Monica, by whose supplications her son Augustine was converted, we pray perseveringly for our loved ones who have drifted from the Faith. The St. Monica Ministry Supplication Rosary set can help focus our petitions and raise our hearts to the One Who renews all things. Included in the set are a laminated card imprinted with the Prayer of the St. Monica Ministry to its Patron, a trifold containing meditations for the complete Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals, a frameable image of Giovanni Gottardi’s painting La Madonna della Cintura, and a striking original-design St. Monica Ministry Rosary accompanied by an explanation of the rosary’s symbolism. Proceeds from sales of the Supplication Rosary set are put towards materials for the ongoing St. Monica Ministry Hands & Hearts rosary-making program.
