JUST FOR WEARING THE ROSARY, HE WAS SAVED

STORY OF KING ALPHONSUS OF LEON WHO NEVER KNEW HE IS INSPIRING OTHERS TO SAY THEIR ROSARY, JUST BY PUTTING ON A ROSARY AS A NECKLACE

Our Lady not only blesses those who say her Rosary, but also abundantly rewards those who, by their example, inspire others to say it as well.

Alphonsus, King of Leon and Galicia, very much wanted all his servants to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary by saying the Rosary. So he hung a large Rosary on his belt and always wore it, but unfortunately never said it himself.

Nevertheless, his wearing it encouraged his courtiers to say the Rosary very devoutly.

One day the King fell seriously ill and when he was given up for dead he found himself, in a vision, before the judgment seat of Our Lord. Many devils were there accusing him of all the sins he had committed and Our Lord as Sovereign Judge was just about to condemn him to hell when Our Lady appeared to intercede for him.

She called for a pair of scales and had his sins placed in one of the balances. On the other side, she put the Rosary that he had always worn, along with all the Rosaries that had been said because of his example.

It was found that the Rosaries weighed more than his sins.

Looking at him with great kindness Our Lady said: “As a reward for this little honor that you paid me in wearing my Rosary, I have obtained a great grace for you from my Son. Your life will be spared for a few more years. See that you spend those years wisely, and do penance.”

When the King regained consciousness he cried out: “Blessed be the Rosary of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, by which I have been delivered from eternal damnation!”

After he had recovered his health, he spent the rest of his life in spreading devotion to the Holy Rosary and said it faithfully every day.

cf.  Glories of Mary, by Saint Louis Maria Grignion de Montfort