October 7 2020 - Our Lady of the Rosary - Flying to Our Lady with Increased Fervor

Today’s Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, was established to honor the power of Our Lady’s intercession through the rosary at a decisive moment in history: The Battle of Lepanto, when an outnumbered Christian fleet liberated the Western Mediterranean and Western Europe by defeating an armada of Muslim Turks. 

In 1883, Pope Leo XII designated the month of October as the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, and a year later, he wrote an encyclical on the subject. Listen to his powerful words: “Last year, as each of you is aware, We decreed by an Encyclical Letter that, to win the help of Heaven for the Church in her trials, the great Mother of God should be honored by the means of the most holy Rosary during the whole of the month of October. In this We followed both Our own impulse and the example of Our predecessors, who in times of difficulty were wont to have recourse with increased fervor to the Blessed Virgin, and to seek her aid with special prayers.”

Of course, we love and honor our mother and our lady throughout our Christian life, but Pope Leo says that at time of difficulty it is important to turn to her with increased fervor. 

I think this is true in the life of every Catholic. When we are facing great battles, like that battle of Lepanto, where we seem outnumbered, where we face overwhelming odds, where the powers of hell seem to be conspiring against us, we need to turn with increased fervor to Our Lady.

But also, I would dare to say that these past few months, these past few years, for the Church as a whole, is a time where increased fervor in our Marian Devotion is needed. 

It is also interesting to note that Pope Leo saw the Holy Rosary as a weapon against a pandemic. Asiatic Cholera had reached from India across western Asia to Europe, Great Britain, and the Americas, as well as east to China and Japan. 

To Mary, therefore, we must fly, says Pope Leo, “to her whom rightly and justly the Church entitles the dispenser of saving, aiding, and protecting gifts – that she, graciously hearkening to our prayers, may grant us the help they besought, and drive far from us the unclean plague.”

So, let us fly to our Lady with renewed fervor, confident that as she has brought victory over the powers of evil over and over throughout the course of history, she can bring victory over the evils which we face. May we take up the rosary daily, with fervor, with confidence, with great love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That, during this month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, many Christians will discover new and deep devotion to Our Lady’s powerful intercession and maternal care for the Church.

For the health and sanctification of the members of our parish Altar and Rosary Society and Legion of Mary and for increased membership for these groups.

That our young people may take seriously the call to holiness, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering may come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.