He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever. (Lk 1:54-55)
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. The pope had called for a 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.
There are still many battles that are being waged in our world.
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.
As we heard from Zechariah, God does come to our aid, He does remember the promise He made to us, He 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.