How powerful is praying the Rosary? An episode involving a man who took the message of Our Lady of Fatima to heart shows just how powerful!

Father Petrus Pavlicek was the founder of the Crusade of Reparation of the Holy Rosary for Peace in the World.

In the years following WWII, Austria was divided by the Allies. The Eastern half of the country, including the capital city of Vienna, came under Russian Communist control. The Viennese people immediately were subjected to the hardships and oppressions of communism.

In 1946, burdened by his country’s struggles, Father Petrus Pavlicek embarked on a pilgrimage to Mariazell, Austria’s principal Marian shrine. Little did he know, he was about to receive an important task.

While deeply immersed in prayer before the image of Our Lady above the high altar, Father Petrus Pavlicek heard a clear voice saying, “Do as I say, and there will be peace.” These words reminded him of the message of Fatima, where Our Lady emphasized that the actions of men alone would not suffice. She offered the Rosary as a means to bring about peace and salvation, promising that if her requests were heeded, many souls would be saved, and peace would prevail.

So, in 1947, with his country at the mercy of the atheistic Soviet government, Father Pavlicek took action. He began gathering people all across Soviet controlled Austria on the 13th of each month to pray the Rosary in public. He called it: The Holy Rosary Crusade.

Father Pavlicek travelled to villages, towns, and cities, carrying a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and inviting people to join in prayerful processions. At first, many were afraid, but seeing others praying the Rosary inspired courage and hope. Before long, the movement gained momentum, attracting not only ordinary citizens but also high-ranking officials such as the Prime Minister, different politicians, priests, and even bishops.

In 1955, after eight years of tirelessly spreading devotion to Our Lady, the Rosary processions had grown to include half a million people, roughly one-tenth of the Austrian population. Just imagine, half a million people gathered in prayer for the conversion of sinners, world peace, and the freedom of their country! However, things where not as bright just yet!

You see, throughout the years, more than 260 peace conferences were held in hopes of removing the Soviets from Austrian soil. But these efforts only resulted in the Soviets tightening their grip on Austria.

That is, until 1955, when, to the world’s surprise, the Soviets announced their intention to withdraw their troops from Austria. On May 15, the Month of Mary, the Soviets signed a treaty guaranteeing the independence of Austria. Then, in October, the month of the Rosary, the last Soviet soldier left Austria. Finally, through the intercession of Our Lady, the country was free.

In Vienna, a large procession gathered, with people holding candles and rosaries while carrying a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, whom they thanked for their liberation. Today,” proclaimed the Prime Minister, “we, whose hearts are full of faith, cry out to Heaven in joyful prayer: We are free. O Mary, we thank Thee!”

On September 12th, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, thousands gather in Vienna annually to express gratitude to the Mother of God for her intercession in liberating their country from communist domination.

As Father Pavlicek famously remarked, “Peace is a gift of God, not the work of politicians.” And with that, our story concludes.