The tradition of the origin of the Most Holy Rosary is that St. Dominic was given it by the Blessed Virgin Mary in the early 1200’s, when he was in the city of Prouille, France. This was universally accepted, as well as promulgated in the writings of many popes, until around the 17th century. At that time, satan - the archenemy of Our Blessed Mother, destined to lie vanquished beneath her feet - used men at his disposal to sow doubts in the minds of Catholics. Such was his success that, even to this day, that which was once revered as history has become a legend now scorned as myth in the minds of most Catholics.

Yet, like every error - there is no proof for this doubting theory. The truth, on the other hand, still holds the testimony of many reputable, educated and even holy men. One of these, Pope Benedict XIV, who reigned from 1740-1758, was himself a very proficient scholar who encouraged both the study and research of history.

Because of the disbelief that had been circulating for nearly a century as to the origin of the Rosary, he was questioned once about his opinion of the tradition that St. Dominic himself received this devotion. The following was his reply:

“You ask whether St. Dominic was the first institutor of the Rosary, and show that you yourselves are bewildered and entangled in doubts on the matter. Now, what value do you attach to the testimony of so many Popes, such as Leo X (1521), Pius V (1572), Gregory XIII (1585), Sixtus V (1590), Clement VIII (1605), Alexander VII (1667), Bl. Innocent XI (1689), Clement XI (1721), Innocent XIII (1724) and others who unanimously attribute the institution of the Rosary to St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order, an apostolic man who might be compared to the apostles themselves and who, undoubtedly due to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, became the designer, the author, promoter, and most illustrious preacher of this admirable and truly heavenly instrument, the Rosary.”