The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. According to an account by fifteenth-century Dominican, Alan de la Roch, Mary appeared to St. Dominic in 1206 after he had been praying and doing severe
penances because of his lack of success in combating the Albigensian heresy. Mary praised him for his valiant fight against the heretics and then gave him the Rosary as a mighty weapon, explained its uses and efficacy, and told him to preach it to others. Since that time the Rosary has become the most popular of Catholic devotional prayers, mainly because of its focus on the life of Jesus and its love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many Catholic families end their day by reciting the Rosary together. Throughout the centuries the Rosary has been identified as one of the most powerful weapons against the devil, and a prayer recommended by the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima and of Lourdes. Perhaps it’s been some time since you prayed the Rosary. Consider picking it up again during this month of October. Start with just one decade (10 Hail Mary’s) every night. I want to encourage all the men of our parish to consider joining our Knights of Columbus who lead the recitation of the Rosary at St. Mary’s Church every night at 6:30pm throughout the month of October. This is a great witness to our community of our love and commitment to Jesus through Mary. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
