“The Rosary is a very rewarding and grace-filled prayer that can be prayed by all, no matter our status or age. The Rosary is basically a contemplative prayer that can deepen our love and understanding of the Gospels. It is a powerful weapon against evil. In 1214 the Church was facing a growing threat, the Albigensian Heresy. St Dominic was called to combat this heresy in an unexpected, but powerful way. It is widely believed that, in the same year, Dominic had a vision of Mary. She is said to have presented him with a string of beads and special prayers to say through her intercession. It quickly became Dominic’s greatest weapon in the spiritual battle against the Albigensians. It also transformed his life and mission. He founded the Dominican Order whose members, to this day, promote the Rosary throughout the world.
We are told that Dominic of Prussia, a Carthusian monk, developed the Joyful, Glorious and Sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary. He encouraged centering each decade on an event in the lives of Jesus and Mary, helping us to contemplate these important moments in the Gospels. Sometimes our minds wander, but I find that the Scriptural Rosary is a great method to maintain focus. Many people use this method, by reading a line of the Gospels before each Hail Mary, helping us to focus on the mystery more deeply.
Devotion to the Rosary was formally established by Pope Pius V in 1569, and established October 7th a feast day in honour of Our Lady of Victory, to commemorate victory over the Ottoman threat to attack Christian countries. In 1917, during the Fatima apparitions, Our Lady requested the addition of the prayer “O My Jesus” after each decade. On October 16th, 2002, Pope St John Paul II added five new “Luminous Mysteries” to the traditional Rosary. These focus on events in Christ’s public ministry.
Let us resolve to pray the Rosary daily, a powerful contemplative prayer, especially on October 7th, the feast of the Holy Rosary. This month may I suggest we offer the Diocese of Plymouth as one of our intentions through the intercession of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, and also for peace in the world.”
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.