As we enter into the Month of October, we find ourselves once more clutching our Rosary Beads, and storming heaven with a beautiful barrage of Hail Marys. But why do we do this? Why the great devotion to the Blessed Mother?
It was some time in the 15th and 16th Centuries that the Ottoman Empire drastically expanded. They took territory which was not theirs, and were on the verge of conquering Europe. Pope Pius V, fearing Ottoman Dominance and the loss of Christendom, rallied the remaining European Superpowers to form the Holy League.
On the day they were to wage battle against the Ottomans, Pope Pius V urged everyone to pray the Holy Rosary, asking for the Blessed Mother’s intercession. What was supposed to be a wipeout at the hands of the Ottomans became a shining reminder of Mary’s powerful intercession. This led to the establishment of 07 October as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the day of victory against the Ottomans.
From this point in History, one takes three things: First, the Holy Rosary is our sweet refuge. More than just being a devotional prayer, it is a child’s call to his mother. It is a child’s way of saying that “I need your guidance, help me never to go astray.”
The repetition of Hail Marys, and the Mysteries of Christ’s life remind us that when life gets burdensome, we need but turn to Mary and Jesus. The war against the Ottomans was definitely overwhelming, they were at a great disadvantage in terms of ships alone.
However, the Holy League had something no earthly power could destroy: the protection of the Mother of God.
Second, the Holy Rosary leads us closer to Jesus. Although the prayer can be called as a Marian Devotion, in truth it is intrinsically Christological in nature.
The Hail Marys guide our prayerful meditation, but the item of our meditations is Jesus. Our prayerful repetition adorns the mysteries of Christ’s life that we ponder on every time we pray.
And perhaps this is what we could see in Lepanto. More than a battle for territory and dominance, it was a battle of Faith. It was a battle that asserted the dominion of Christ through his Vicar on earth.
The victory of Lepanto serves as a powerful reminder of such a reality, that when Christ is what drives us forth, nothing can stand in our way.
Lastly, the Holy Rosary brings people together. Pope Pius V urged everyone on the day of battle to pray the Holy Rosary.
One could imagine the sight of everyone – rich and poor, worker or plain family man – storming the heavens with one prayer on their lips: the Holy Rosary.
In our processions, communities, parishes, and organizations, have you noticed that when we pray the Holy Rosary, we all become one. When we come together from different realities, different backgrounds, once we begin to meditate on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, we become one. One voice calls unto the Lord: be our refuge, and to His Blessed Mother: keep us in your embrace, and lead us closer to your Son.
In this month of the Holy Rosary, let this be a time of spiritual renewal grounded on our faith in God, and his providence; following the example of his Blessed Mother, who leads us closer to her Divine Son.