“Roses of Fire” are three little words that bring all kinds of thoughts into one’s mind. If you look above at the “featured image” on this posting, it is easy to understand what “roses of fire” might mean.
Vibrant colors so gorgeous that there are no words to describe the delicate beauty of God’s creation.
However, St. Catherine of Siena gives us another “visual” to take into our hearts and to ponder deeply. She spoke of the “rosary” being a “bridge of mercy” that connects earth to Heaven. Each Hail Mary bead held in our hands and prayed with love – ascends like a “rose” or a “signal fire” to the heart of the Blessed Mother.
And to prove that – as always – let us take a journey together through this blog. . .in honor of the Feast of the Holy Rosary on October 7th.
The above statue has been in my home for the last 139 days – arriving in May and leaving yesterday on October 5, 2025. A significant day as well – the Feast of St. Faustina – of Divine Mercy!
This particular statue of Our Lady was carved from wood in Italy in 1967 and made specifically for the 50th Anniversary of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun Apparition of October 13, 1917.
She was then sent on a journey to the United States and sent to a Parish in Brooklyn, New York. There she would process through the streets celebrating the “Feast of the Holy Rosary” and “the Miracle of the Sun” with her children.
We do not know the exact travels and history that brought her to our present location and moment in time. However, we do know that it is about the “now.” It’s always about the “present moment!”
A “visitation” definitely occurred during these last 139 days. I can only understand that “She” wishes to share that with you through this blog.
But first on our journey – let us learn about Blessed Bartolo Longo – soon to be Saint! On October 5th, 1926 – Bartolo Longo died and it was this same day of October 5th that he was made a Blessed.
On Sunday, October 19, 2025, Blessed Bartolo will be canonized by Pope Leo XIV.
Bartolo Longo was ordained a satanic priest in 1861 and tried his best to convince Catholics to abandon their faith. This life did not bring him peace and friends prayed earnestly for his conversion.
Heaven’s attention was received! Bartolo would meet with a Dominican priest named Fr. Alberto Radente. This priest would bring him back to the Sacraments in 1865.
Bartolo Longo was then received into the Third Order of Dominicans and took the name of “Brother Rosario.” A name worthy of its’ origin.
Even though Bartolo came back to the Sacraments, he was tormented by his past sins and guilt. He feared he would go to hell and became depressed. It was then that Our Blessed Mother spoke words to his soul to help him understand his future mission.
“He who propagates my rosary shall be saved.”
Bartolo stated:
“As I pondered her promise, I resolved to dedicate my life to her rosary.
Hers is the path by which I save my soul.”
The above information on Blessed Bartolo Longo is just a “little sprinkling” to ignite interest in his life.
He and his wife Countess Mariana di Fusco worked tirelessly in igniting the construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Pompeii. The groundbreaking began in 1876 and the Basilica was consecrated in 1901.
Bartolo Longo went from a satanic priest to an “agent” for the Mother of God! He would spend the rest of his earthly days promoting the Blessed Mother’s rosary and saving souls.
Above is the original painting of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii that Blessed Bartolo would hang in the Basilica. It depicts St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena and the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Months back, our prayer group came across a book entitled, “54 Days That Will Change Your Life and Our World: “A spiritual nuclear bomb! – Exorcist priest! – by Bartolo Longo.
Gemma Christianson is the author of this book and once you begin the first couple of pages – you cannot put it down. One knows they are being moved by grace to turn page after page and understand the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Gemma was able to go into the public domain and find the actual prayers of Blessed Bartolo for the 27 days in Petition and the 27 days in Thanksgiving!
What she did find from listening to EWTN and the exorcist priest’s interview – was that the “nuclear spiritual bomb” was praying “Three Rosaries” a day along with Bartolo’s own personal prayers.
Could one do that?
Sometimes it is hard to pray one a day – yet Fr. Jim Blount told us many years ago this is not the time of “Leave it to Beaver” that was aired on a t.v. show in the 1960’s.
Were we up for the challenge?
Would you be?
Read on…..Mother Mary spoke to Bartolo Longo and is certainly speaking to us in this month of the Holy Rosary and for months ahead!
Many in our prayer group took the plunge into “grace” and started to pray “3” rosaries a day! We found that it wasn’t a burden at all! It seemed that Mother Mary was providing the strength and the “time” for us to pray these rosaries. We found we weren’t rushing through them like the Indy 500! Something was happening not only to us but to those we were praying for. One could not ignore Heaven responding to our dedicated rosaries for peace in all situations.
And so in this part of the journey, we now have arrived at the “miraculous” and what transpired one early morning after praying not only “3 rosaries” but multiple ones.
On July 27 2025, I was faced with some challenging emotions that seemed to want to take hold of my soul. The darker side seemed to be overwhelming. I was faced with a disappointment in regard to a birthday celebration for a very sick relative that had to be cancelled.
As the day progressed on, the sorrow increased. I took hold of my rosary fighting back the tears. I stayed at the feet of “My Heavenly Mother” and prayed with the heart.
I continued on praying with the Blessed Mother. I prayed countless rosary meditations but would stop and speak to her of my sorrow and disappointment. She didn’t answer but I knew the gaze of “her eyes” was upon me and I felt her peace and love.
The hours slipped by and I realized it was time to call it a night. Sunday, July 27th was coming to a close – never to be repeated again. I was weary and tired.
And so, I began to shut off lights to retire and call it a day and a night! However, I felt prompted to take “her” picture in the “darkness” and “stillness of the night.”
What transpired was that “night turned into day” in the “pause” of the iPhone camera.
In that “pause” of the iPhone taking its image – I clearly saw a change.
I saw a “movement” and I saw “ascending prayer” rising to Heaven.
I saw “Our Mother” do what She does for each of us when we pray with the heart. No prayer goes unanswered! Every prayer rises to Heaven and does not stay here on earth like a lead balloon!
A summons to Heaven was tearfully pleaded throughout on Sunday, July 27th. It was a prayer of the heart – a prayer of love directed to the Mother of God through the “beads of the rosary.”
Fr. Mark Beard would always tell us – “burn those beads!” Yes…we are to burn those beads! Why does Our Blessed Mother tell us in every apparition – “PRAY THE ROSARY?????” Why does every Saint pray the Rosary?
Why? Again, St. Catherine of Siena said “Heaven Responds”…..to each prayer of the Hail Mary. Heaven stays still at the words of the Incarnation spoken by St. Gabriel!
Our rosary moves not only our souls but gives “graces” to others when it is prayed with love. St. Catherine wrote – that “Gardens of Flowers” appear in Heaven from our prayers of the “Hail Mary.”
These were part of 9 bouquets of roses that I found on August 15, 2025 in a dumpster at a local supermarket. I believe I wrote about these in a prior blog – in fact in my last one. However, at that time I did not share how significant that “find” was on the Feast of the Assumption.
That beautiful feast is a day that we celebrate the Blessed Mother’s Assumption into Heaven! However, she certainly doesn’t stay there. She meets us in our everyday moments of life here on earth and more so when we pray the Rosary.
I just happened to be passing the supermarket that day – but I believe “another hand” placed those roses for me to see. Three of those bouquets went to others but the rest went home to be laid at her feet in my living room – a reminder of what my rosaries look like when prayed with the heart. “Roses on Fire” that ignite Heaven’s response!
I close with Bartolo’s last words – may they be ours.
“My only desire is to see Mary who saved me
and who will save me from the clutches of Satan.”
And Our Blessed Mother’s Words to us…..
“He who propagates my rosary shall be saved.”
©2025 Anita Guariglia
Featured Image and Blessed Mother Images/ Anita Guariglia
Blessed Bartolo Longo/ Pinterest and Instagram
Catholic365.com/ history of Blessed Bartolo
One Response
Thank you, Anita, for leading us so beautifully into the Feast of the Holy Rosary by introducing us to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, Blessed Bartolo Longo and his powerful 54 Day Rosary Novena.
Your account of the miraculous statue of Our Lady and the appearance of “roses of fire” which you placed at Her feet can only propel souls into praying the Holy Rosary with more love, devotion and commitment than ever before.