Of the many devotions, the rosary is certainly a favorite amongst Catholics, and for good reasons. Mary promises good things (fifteen of them to be exact) to those who recite and propagate the rosary: things like eternal life in heaven, triumph over sufferings, deliverance from purgatory, and more. In its early form as a meditation on the psalms, to its present reciting that’s won battles sustaining Western Civilization (see full history), the popular piety and the meditative peace that come from the prayer are just a few of the many reasons these beloved beads are loved so much.
The rosary is not a complicated prayer, but a prayer that takes time, takes mindfulness—a familiar term used today by various industries. To be “mindful” means to focus on one’s state of being in relationship to the world around them. This state, in turn, should increase positivity and reduce anxiety amidst difficult circumstances. Society offers various ways of how to participate in mindfulness… so does our faith. Today’s Second Reading from Philippians tells us to have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving to make our requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil.4:6-7). Because Mary is always trying to lead us to Jesus, the rosary certainly does these things: it’s a prayer lifted to God, petitions our needs through Mary’s love, and gives the glory back to God with a grateful heart. The reason why the rosary isn’t just a fad of chants, “good vibes” or a relaxed state is because it roots itself in the true, the pure, the lovely, the gracious, and all the things of God that are worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). It calls upon the heart of a Mother, given to us by her Son to comfort us, and lead us to Jesus, the Peace that surpasses all tranquility.
It’s no coincidence the rosary has remained as popular as it is. Perhaps it’s something that you pray often, or an heirloom given to you by grandma just waiting to be unleashed into insurmountable blessings it can be your life. Either way, it’s a beautiful tool that’s inspired believers, answered prayers, won battles, and brought about peace. Take advantage of Mary’s gift to you! Our Lady, Queen of Victory, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us! ~Sara
A bit of history: the rosary has evolved over time to draw Mary’s heart closer to ours, and our hearts closer to her Son’s. A meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary, the rosary takes its roots in scripture. In the early church, it was a popular devotion for Christians to pray all 150 psalms. Because not all could read, the faithful instead prayed a “Hail Mary” 150 times, eventually keeping track of them on a knotted rope. In 1214, Mary appeared to St. Dominic, giving him the form of the rosary that we know today with the three sets of five-decade mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. St. Pope John Paul II later added another set of mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, for a modern prayer that includes four sets in all.
The Month of the Rosary and its feast day, October 7th, gets is patronage in the 16th century when the Ottoman Empire ran rampant, endangering the Roman Catholic Church of its time. Severely outnumbered against Muslim forces, on October 7, 1591, Christians prayed the rosary for the soldiers in battle. When they rose victoriously Pope St. Pius V named the day, The Feast of Our Lady Queen of Victory, later changed by Pope Gregory XIII to Our Lady of the Rosary.