October is the month traditionally dedicated to the Rosary; the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is on October 7 each year. While the Rosary is considered a Marian prayer, it leads us to Jesus. Mary is oriented to her Son, and she wants us to be as well. Last May, Pope Benedict said the following:
In the modern world that is so dispersive, this prayer helps us to place Christ at the center, as did the Virgin who meditated upon everything that was said about her Son and upon what he himself did and said.... When we recite the Rosary we relive important monuments of the history of salvation, we again go over the various stages of Christ's mission. With Mary we turn our hearts to the mystery of Jesus.
"May Mary help us to welcome within ourselves the grace that emanates from these mysteries, so that through us, this grace can 'irrigate' society, starting with our everyday relationships, purifying it from many negative forces and opening it to the novelty of God.
So, praying the Rosary helps not only us but also others. By meditating on the mysteries of each decade, we gain a greater understanding of God’s love for us. We are given a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what he does for us. Moreover, our intentions for the Rosaries that we say are heard by Jesus and His Mother. Mary prays for us and our needs to her Son. The world benefits too. We say with each Hail, Mary: “...pray for us sinners....”
The Pope also said:
The Rosary, when it is prayed in an authentic manner—not mechanically and superficially, but profoundly—brings peace and reconciliation. It contains the healing power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, invoked with faith and love at the heart of each Hail Mary.
May more of us get into the practice of saying this Biblical prayer everyday, not only in October, but throughout the year.
Fr. Stanley
