October 7th marks the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. This feastday is part of the reason the whole month of October is dedicated to Mary. The Church’s celebration of this day and month is an invitation to rediscover the beauty of the Rosary as a prayer.
As countless believers know, the recitation of the Rosary is a most beautiful prayer and the most beautiful prayer we can offer to the Virgin Mary. The Rosary is a contemplation on the stages of the life of Jesus the Savior with His Mother and is a weapon that protects us from evils and temptations.
Prayer itself is “letting ourselves be carried by God,” especially in moments of suffering or temptation. Think about how often we feel useless and lonely – it is then, according to Pope Francis, that “prayer will come and knock on the door of our hearts … and even if we have done something wrong, or if we feel threatened and frightened, when we return before God with prayer, serenity and peace will return … as if by a miracle.”
According to Pope Pius XII, “the purpose of the Rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. It is a compendium of the Gospel.”
Let us pray. “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”
