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.' "