“Spiritual warfare is very real. There is a furious, fierce, and ferocious battle raging in the realm of the spirit between the forces of God and the forces of evil. Warfare happens every day, all the time. Whether you believe it or not, you are in a battlefield. You are in warfare.” ~
Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This feast was established in thanksgiving for Mary’s intercession in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571 when a fleet of Christians defeated the navy of the Ottoman Empire.
St. Pope Pius V had called for all Christendom to pray the rosary as the enemy was getting closer. He knew full well that the defeat of the Christians could mean the destruction of Christianity. Miraculously, the Christians won the battle and the pope declared the day as a feast of Our Lady in 1573. In 1716, Pope Clement XI extended the feast to the Universal Church.
There are still many battles that are being waged in our world. Some of them are temporal battles for power. Others are spiritual battles. The oldest — and fiercest — battle is the war between God’s people and the devil.
Praying the rosary helps to arm us in that battle so that we may overcome the enemy. Praying the rosary helps us to remain humble. Praying the rosary helps us to focus upon our saving God who does come to our aid, who remembers the promise He made to us, and who will be with us to deliver us.
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Pray for Us!
FAITH ACTION: Take time, today, to pray the rosary slowly and reflectively.