“The Lord will remember his covenant forever.” – PS 111: 5

 

Today Sisters and Brothers, the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. On this day, we celebrate the Holy League’s defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. Even though the Turkish forces were very powerful, the Christians won due to the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the prayer of the Most Holy Rosary.

At the time when the battle of Lepanto was fought, the Ottoman Empire had not lost a major battle since the previous century. Pope St. Pius V realized that the Holy League needed great Spiritual assistance, so he asked the Holy League, as well as all of the Faithful, to pray the Rosary, asking Our Lady’s intercession for a victory in the upcoming battle. The evening before the famous battle, the sailors prayed the Rosary on their knees.

The Christian fleet went into battle carrying a banner blessed by the Pope. Some evidence also suggests they carried a painting sent to the King of Spain from Mexico depicting the miraculous image known as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Holy League encountered the Ottoman warships deployed in the shape of a crescent, the symbol of Islam. The Holy League’s ships took the shape of a Cross. Between the two forces, there were more than 400 warships, making this one of the largest naval battles in history. After five hours of battle, the Holy League won.  Pope St. Pius V knew that Our Lady had interceded for the Holy League, ensuring their victory. In fact, the day of the Battle of Lepanto, he saw the Blessed Mother in a vision, and she revealed the victory to him.

Therefore, Pope St Pius V established this Feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto, a victory attributed to the praying of the Rosary. Pope Clement XI extended the Feast to the Universal Church in 1716.

The development of the Rosary has a long history. First a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Mary’s. Soon a Mystery of Jesus’ life was attached to each Hail Mary. Though Mary’s giving of the Rosary to Saint Dominic is recognized as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of Saint Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as “The Apostle of the Rosary.” He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century, the Rosary was developed to its present form, with the 15 Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious. In 2002, Pope St John Paul II added the five Mysteries of Light to this devotion.

The purpose of the Rosary is to help us meditate on the Great Mysteries of our Salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of The Gospel. The main focus is on Jesus, His Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection. The Our Fathers remind us that the Father of Jesus is the Initiator of Salvation. The Hail Mary’s remind us to join with Mary in contemplating these Mysteries. They also make us aware that Mary was and is intimately joined with her Son in all the Mysteries of His earthly and Heavenly Existence. The Glory Be’s remind us that the purpose of all life is the Glory of the Trinity.

The Rosary appeals to many. It is simple and the constant repetition of words helps 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.  As St Pope John Paul II explained, this loving repetition “embodies the desire for Christ to become the breath, soul and all of one’s life” (RVM, 27). In the same way, the repeated prayers in the Rosary help us get more in touch with the deepest desires in our souls for God

 

May God’s Grace and Blessings Always be with you and yours!!  Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!!  

 

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Bob

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Houston, TX