As a Catholic, I grew up knowing and accepting the fact that October is the month of the Holy Rosary. But it was only recently that I learned the history behind the celebration.
First of all, this is connected to the Liturgical Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary which is celebrated every October 7. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius V to celebrate the miraculous victory of Christian naval forces against the Islamic Ottoman fleet in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571.
It is said that this was the largest naval battle in Western history. Relying not only upon the one’s military might, and Pope Pius V urged the faithful in Europe to pray the rosary. Just two years prior, the same Pope approved rosary in its present form.
A Miraculous Victory
After the miraculous victory, Pope Pius V attributed it to the power of the rosary
Hence, the feast was previously known as the feast of Our Lady of Victory.
In 1884, Pope Leo XIII then officially made October as the month of the rosary through his encyclical Superiore Anno:
“We have therefore resolved that in this…month of October, in which the sacred devotions to Our Virgin Lady of the Rosary are solemnised throughout the Catholic world, all the devotions shall again be observed which were commanded by Us this time last year. – We therefore decree and make order that from the 1st of October to the 2nd of November following in all the parish churches…in all public churches dedicated to the Mother of God, or in such as are appointed by the Ordinary, five decades at least of the Rosary be recited, together with the Litany.”
History and 15 Promises of the Holy Rosary
Legend has it that the rosary was handed down by Our Lady to St. Dominic in the year 1206. In the midst of the efforts of this young priest to convert Albigensians in France, he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin handing him the rosary to be used as a tool against heretics.
Meanwhile, a 15th century Dominican friar Alanus de Rupe claimed to have a vision of Our Lady giving the following 15 promises to all those who faithfully pray the rosary:
1. Those who faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. The recitation of the Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
6. Those who recite my Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. In His justice, God will not chastise them; nor shall they perish by an unprovided death, i.e., be unprepared for heaven. Sinners shall convert. The just shall persevere in grace and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Those who have a true devotion to the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who faithfully recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. By the recitation of the Rosary you shall obtain all that you ask of me.
12. Those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my beloved children and the brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion for my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
The mysteries of the rosary used to be divided into three (Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries). Pope John Paul II later on added another set called the Luminous Mysteries.
When prayed, each mystery allows the faithful to reflect upon an event in the life of Jesus and Our Blessed Mother.
It is no wonder why this is the favorite prayer of Pope John Paul II, describing it as follows:
“The Rosary is my favourite prayer. A marvellous prayer! Marvellous in its simplicity and in its depth.”
Would you like to pray the rosary and dedicate the month of October to Our Lady of the Rosary?
“Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” – St. Padre Pio
Following are some videos that can help you pray along the various mysteries of the rosary:
You may also want to read “Blessings You’re Not Receiving If You’re a Christian But Not Catholic”.
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book Defending My Catholic Faith.
Would you like to know more about the Catholic faith? Would you like to know the answers to common Catholic questions?
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