“Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. ” St. Padre Pio.
October, is the month of the Holy Rosary. The Feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary is on 7th October. This month is dedicated to the Holy Rosary to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the church in answer to the praying of the Rosary.
According to Dominican tradition, in 1206, Dominic de Guzman was at the Monastery of Our Lady of Prouille, in France. The young priest received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who gave him the Rosary as a tool against heretics. This traditional origin of the Rosary was generally accepted, by people all over the world, including Popes. Praying the Rosary is so valuable that Holy Mother Church grants a plenary indulgence when prayed with others. Many churches pray the Rosary before or after Mass.
The Feast of the Rosary was instituted by Saint Pius Vwith the name, “Our Lady of Victory, to commemorate the Battle of Lepanto which took place on 7 October 1571, when a fleet of the Holy League defeated a fleet of the Ottoman Empire. The Pope called upon Catholics to pray the Rosary for victory.
The Rosary appeals to many as it is simple. The constant repetition of the words help create an atmosphere in which to contemplate the mysteries of God. We sense that Jesus and Mary are with us in the joys and sorrows of life. We grow in hope that God will bring us to share in the glory of Jesus and Mary forever. The “secret power ” of the rosary lies in its ability to draw believers into a deep, meditative connection with Jesus and his mother, Mary, through the contemplation of the mysteries of their lives. It is a spiritual tool that provides access to divine grace, fosters inner peace, strengthens faith and acts as a spiritual weapon against evil. The Rosary offers grace to resist sin, cultivate virtue, and deepen our relationship with Christ, empowering us to live a more holy and virtuous life. The power comes from the faith-filled prayer, the intercession of Mary, and God’s grace, not the physical beads themselves, by meditating on the Life of Christ.
Mary is called the Queen because she is the Mother of Christ, the King of Heaven and Earth. Pope Pious XII called the Rosary a compendium of the Gospel. The main focus is on Jesus – the Birth, Life, Death and Resurrection.
The purpose of the Rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. When you say the Rosary, the angels rejoice, the Blessed Trinity delights in it. Mother Mary intercedes for us all. Praying the Rosary regularly will help us increase in holiness, spiritual growth, reflection and connection with Our Lord and with Mary, Our Mother.
Sherida D’Souza