The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. During this month, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and we honor our Mother Mary who has encouraged the faithful to pray the Rosary. The publication, “Our Sunday Visitor” noted that the Rosary was developed in the Middle Ages and “…is, at its heart, a biblical prayer, which is why Scripture verses are often used for meditation with each mystery.”
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has a great appreciation for the Rosary. As reported in the media outlet, “The Catholic World Report”, Pope Francis stated, “I invite everyone to rediscover, especially during this month of October, the beauty of the prayer of the Rosary, which has nourished the faith of the Christian people through the centuries.” He added, “The recitation of the Rosary is the most beautiful prayer we can offer to the Virgin Mary; it is a contemplation on the stages of the life of Jesus the Savior with his Mother Mary and is a weapon that protects us from evils and temptations.” He also reminded the faithful, “Even today, in this time of pandemic, it is necessary to hold the Rosary in our hands, praying for us, for our loved ones and for all people.”
St. Padre Pio, the great Italian mystic, also urged the faithful to pray the Rosary. He stated, “Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary for the Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.”
The following prayer reflects one’s call to get closer to Jesus and Mary by praying the Rosary:
O Mary, our Lady of the Rosary,
may the faithful recitation of my rosary be a sign of my gratitude to Jesus
and you for all you have done for me in bringing about my redemption.
May my rosary also be a means of obtaining all the graces I need
for the sanctification of my soul and that of my family.
Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer, and the words of Pope Francis and St. Padre Pio, we are reminded that at Saint Brigid, we have various Rosary ministries and Marian devotions in which our parishioners actively participate. For example, many parishioners pray the Rosary before the 9 am daily Mass. Others pray the Rosary online on Tuesday evenings. Still, others participate in a Living Rosary on various Marian feast days, where the Rosary is brought to life with individuals representing each bead of the Rosary.
As Catholics, we are encouraged to pray the Rosary, especially, if possible, as a family, as we continue on our journey of faith in these difficult and uncertain times.