Our Lady of the Rosary

In the Catholic Church each month has a particular focus or devotion with the month of October dedicated to the rosary. Why October? For that we have to look to the liturgical calendar for the Church.

On October 7th, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. That is because on October 7, 1571 the fate of Europe lay in the balance. The Ottoman Empire was gaining territory and threatening to conquer Christian Europe. Due to the importance of the impending battle, Pope Pius V called upon Catholics to beseech Mary’s intercession for victory by praying the rosary. Given the nature of maritime vessels of that time the direction of the wind was often a key factor in determining the outcome of the battle and on October 7, 1571, the winds blew in favor of Christian Europe.

To celebrate the victory, and honor Mary, St. Pius V established the feast of Our Lady of Victory. In later centuries Pope Gregory XIII would change the name of this feast day from Our Lady of Victory, to Our Lady of the Rosary. From then on, we have celebrated this uniquely Catholic form of Marian devotion and piety on this day.

The rosary is what we Catholics are known for because it has held such a great importance for us not only in the times of battle, but also because it is that tried and true prayer which has sustained the faith of countless generations, even our own.