The Church devotes the month of October to the Most Holy Rosary. Thus as we embark upon this month we do so by celebrating the external feast of the Most Holy Rosary.
The Feast of the Most Holy Rosary takes us back to the Battle of Lepanto and thus the victory which was won there over the Turks. This victory was attributed by Pope Pius V to be due to the praying of the Most Holy Rosary.
The prayers of the rosary are most important for through them we repeat the words of the Angel Gabriel when he appeared unto Mary: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” Through the rosary we are able to mediate upon the life, death, and resurrection of Christ our Lord. The rosary is a most beautiful prayer because through it we have the opportunity to honor our Blessed Mother as we continue to dwell with her Son.
Throughout scripture it is often said concerning Mary: “That she pondered these things in her heart.” Thus through the rosary we have ability to join with her as we ponder the reality of Christ’s love made manifest for us.
Recently in Poland the faithful were asked by their bishops to join in praying the rosary. They are asked to line the borders of their country to commemorate the celebration of this Feast of the Most Holy Rosary. In doing so they will petition that their country may always be protected under her maternal care.
Let us reflect upon our world and the nation in which we live. Let us reflect upon those who have lost sight of their faith. We must now turn towards the rosary and be willing to make time for its use not only in our life, but also in the life of the family. I encounter so many children who don’t know the “Hail Mary” which probably a reflection of the fact that their family makes no time to pray the rosary together.
On the 13th of this month we will come to the conclusion of Fatima. It was the message of Fatima which was given to those three shepherd children and thus to the whole world that we may pray the rosary and yet we have not heeded this request.
