The rosary was also known at one time as the “Psalter of Mary,” which gives us more than a hint of its original purpose. The 150 “Hail Marys” corresponded to the number of psalms in the Bible.

To mark the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii on Nov. 13, Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to contemplate the life of Christ ...