From the Friars: Our Lady of the Rosary

Next Saturday, which is also the first Saturday of the month, we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. The history of the feast is rooted in the victory of the Christian forces at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. More recently, Our Blessed Mother identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary during the Fatima apparitions in 1917.

At Fatima, Our Lady also asked the children to pray the Rosary every day. Likewise, many saints, popes and other approved apparitions have encouraged the same. But many, including myself, struggle with the Rosary. The mind wanders and it can become just another ticket that I punch each day. I can feel like I am better than others because I am doing what God wants and they are not. However, these struggles are present with any type of prayer and should not be an excuse for not praying the Rosary.

The Rosary is so powerful, first of all, because it has developed according to Divine Providence in the history of the Church. Our Lord blesses this prayer with special graces and we should be grateful for this great gift and humbly obedient to Our Blessed Mother’s request.

Secondly, it extremely practical and simple. The beads are something tangible to hold, which is a physical reminder that I am putting myself in the presence of God. The mysteries are the most important events in the life of Jesus and His Immaculate Mother. A Divine Person walked on this earth for 33 years. He showed us by His example, and taught us by His words, the meaning of our existence and how to truly love. What could possibly be more important to think about, to meditate on, than that?

We who are part of the Holy Rosary Shrine community have a special mission to promote this beautiful devotion and spiritual weapon. But first we must practice what we preach.

Let us renew our commitment to the daily Rosary as part of our total self-gift to Our Heavenly Father in union with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

All glory to His Holy Name! Amen.

Fr. Peter