The Fatima Center wishes you a blessed and grace-filled Feast of the Queenship of Mary!
Throughout Christian history, the Rosary has been a powerful instrument of grace, leading souls to conversion and salvation. Among the many accounts of its miraculous influence is the story of Alfonso VII King of Galicia, León, and Castille (1105-1157), whose life was profoundly transformed through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.
Historical Background
Alfonso VII took the title “Emperor of All Spain.” He sought to unite the different Iberian kingdoms (including Navarre and Aragon) but was ultimately unsuccessful. For example, Portugal definitively broke away as its own independent nation during his reign (1143 A.D.). Alfonso also waged various crusades against the Moors in the ongoing Reconquista effort to expel them from Iberia.[1] Both of these two great efforts would have to wait for Queen Isabella the Catholic and her marriage to King Ferdinand in the 15th Century.
King Alfonso VII was a direct descendent from the line of Charlemagne and considered a pious ruler. (Nevertheless, like King David of old, he was not exemplary in keeping the Sixth Commandment.) He did bring the Cistercians to the Iberian Peninsula at a time when that monastic movement of reform was greatly needed. He was a great patron of the Church and defender of her rights.
A King’s Devotion in Symbol
Alfonso held a deep reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary and desired that his court honor Her accordingly.[2] To set an example, he wore a large rosary on his belt, encouraging his courtiers to adopt the practice of praying it. Ironically, despite his outward display of devotion, the king himself rarely prayed the Rosary. Nevertheless, his visible commitment inspired many within his realm to embrace the devotion earnestly.
A Vision at the Threshold of Eternity
The king’s life took a dramatic turn when he fell gravely ill and was presumed dead. In this state, he experienced a profound vision: He stood before the judgment seat of Christ, with demons presenting accusations of his sins. As the Lord was just about to condemn him to hell, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared, interceding on his behalf. She requested a set of scales to weigh his sins against the merits of the Rosary he had worn and the prayers it had inspired in others. Remarkably, the collective weight of these Rosaries surpassed that of his sins, leading to his reprieve.
Our Lady then told King Alfonso: “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 these years wisely and do penance.”
A Renewed Life of Devotion
Upon regaining consciousness, King Alfonso proclaimed, “Blessed be the Rosary of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, by which I have been delivered from eternal damnation!” This profound experience catalyzed a transformation in his life. He began to pray the Rosary daily and dedicated himself to promoting its praying throughout his kingdom. His personal conversion became a testament to the Rosary’s power to inspire repentance and spiritual renewal.
Theological Reflections on the Rosary’s Efficacy
The story of King Alfonso underscores a vital theological principle: The external signs of devotion, when sincere, can lead to internal transformation. While the king initially wore the rosary as a symbol, it became a conduit for grace – not only for himself but for those he influenced. This aligns with the teachings of the Church on the communion of saints, wherein the prayers and merits of one can benefit others. This can serve as a powerful reminder that we can gain an indulgence from carrying a rosary on our person:
“The faithful who devoutly carry about their person a rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary that has been properly blessed may gain an Indulgence of 500 days once a day, if they kiss the rosary and at the same time devoutly recite these words of the Angelic Salutation: Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with Thee: blessed art Thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.”
– Taken from Pope Pius XII, Audience, March 12, 1953
Moreover, the vision of the scales illustrates the merciful intercession of Mary, Who, as Mediatrix of All Graces, advocates for sinners before Her Son. Her intervention on behalf of King Alfonso exemplifies Her role in guiding souls toward salvation, especially through the Rosary, which She has repeatedly endorsed in various apparitions and teachings.
The Rosary: A Timeless Instrument of Grace
The account of King Alfonso serves as a compelling reminder of the Rosary’s enduring power. In times of spiritual peril, it acts as a lifeline, drawing souls back to God. The king’s transformation from a nominal devotee to a fervent promoter of the Rosary illustrates how this prayer can ignite personal conversion and inspire communal devotion. This miracle also illustrates why external beauty and reverence are necessary to foster the interior growth of the soul.
Prayer of Petition
O Ever-Virgin Mother of God and Mediatrix of Grace, Who art the House of Gold within which dwells Thy Son, our Mediator, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech Thee to grant our requests for our salvation and the salvation of the entire world. (Here pause and make your requests.) Keep us close to the Vicar of Thy Son in the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church. Hear our prayer and grant the requests we make to Thee.
ENDNOTES:
[1] Alfonso VII answered Pope Eugene III’s call for the Second Crusade in 1144 A.D. He fortified control over Toledo (the ancient capital of the Moorish Caliphate) and advanced Christian domains up to Córdoba. He also annexed the rich Moorish port city of Almería, giving Castille its first Mediterranean seaport.
[2] This story is related by St. Louis de Montfort in The Secret of the Rosary, under the 8th Rose, paragraph No. 29.