Elvis Presley dedicated this song to the Virgin of Fátima and the Rosary

The famous singer Elvis Presley, whose popularity took him to the top in the 20th century, was inspired by the story of one of his friends’ conversion to the Catholic faith to record the song “The Miracle of the Rosary”, dedicated to the Virgin of Fátima.

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935 and grew up following the evangelical education of the Assembly of God Church.

However, on May 15, 1971, he decided to record this song, which has its origins in the story of his friend Lee Denson, who belonged to the Baptist Church and converted after marrying a devout Catholic.

Denson’s family helped Elvis’ parents when they moved from Tupelo to Memphis, United States, in 1947, and Lee was his first guitar teacher.

The song “The Miracle of the Rosary” was written in 1960, when Denson approached Catholicism. His wife Mary was devoted to the Virgin of Fátima and she prayed the Rosary every day, as the Mother of God had asked the three little shepherds in Cova da Iria, Portugal, where she appeared on several occasions in 1917.

Over time, and due to her husband’s hectic professional career, Mary began to neglect her faith. One day, the rosary that a friend had brought her from Fatima disappeared, and although she looked for it throughout her house, she did not find it.

On the night of October 13, 1960, on the anniversary of the “miracle of the sun” of Fátima and upon arriving home, he found the rosary in its case on a pillow on the bed.

Mary and her husband were surprised. During the night, and already in bed, they woke up after she felt a soft touch on her lips and he heard a sound similar to that of a bell.

They went to Mass the next morning and the priest pointed out that the Virgin of Fatima works miracles in life every day, and that few people thank her or stop to think about it.

Denson was perplexed by the fact, given that he and his wife had been the only ones to hear those words, and decided to compose a song for the Virgin of Fatima.

Thinking of an artist who could record the song and give a great exposure to the miracles of Fatima, Denson soon remembered his friend Elvis Presley.

However, he decided to wait until 1967, when the 50th anniversary of the Virgin’s apparitions was celebrated. For various reasons, Elvis was not able to record it until 1971.

Lee Denson abandoned his artistic career to dedicate himself to the Church in Memphis. On one occasion in 1978, he sang “The Miracle of the Rosary” at Mass and the church was reportedly filled with the aroma of roses.

Among the faithful was Mons. Tomás Clavel, a Panamanian archbishop who considered the event a “miraculous” sign. Later, Pope Saint Paul VI would give his blessing to the song “The Miracle of the Rosary.”

In the 1980s, Lee Denson sang it in the sanctuary of Fátima and in the Carmel of Coimbra, in Portugal, in the presence of Sister Lucia, one of the visionaries of Fátima.

Translation of the song into Spanish

Oh, Blessed Mother, we pray to you.
Thank you for the miracle of your Rosary.

Only you can hold
the blessed hand of your Son
long enough for the world to understand.

Hail Mary, full of grace
May the Lord be with you.
Blessed are you among women
and blessed be the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Oh, Holy Mary, dear Mother of God,
please pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death,
and I thank you again
for the miracle of your Rosary.

Originally published January 8, 2023. It has been updated for republication.