October 7, 2024

Dear John,

The power of praying the rosary simply can’t be overstated, and there’s something uniquely cathartic about the repetitions of Hail Marys and Our Fathers as the beads slide through our fingers. The sense of touch seems to accentuate our link to God and the Blessed Virgin.

Full disclosure: I have a cheap, plastic rosary that I simply cannot part with. I have a newer, more decorative rosary tucked away in a drawer somewhere, but the plastic one came from my Irish American grandmother as part of a first Communion gift. A tad sentimental? Sure. But I know I’m not alone in feeling a deep connection to the rosary that stretches back to childhood.

Today, on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, we invite you to pray the decades of the rosary with all of us at Franciscan Media. And as you do, we ask you to consider making a donation to Franciscan Media to help us continue delivering spiritual resources such as Saint of the Day to your inbox every morning.

I, for one, am planning on taking out my old, blue-and-white plastic rosary today—just as my grandmother hoped I would—and praying with all of you. Many blessings to you on this day, and thank you for your continued support!

Peace!

Daniel Imwalle

Managing Editor

Saint of the Day for October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary

Listen to the Story of Our Lady of the Rosary Here

Saint Pius V established the feast of Our Lady of Victory to thank God for the Christian defeat of the Turks at Lepanto—a victory attributed to praying the rosary. Pope Gregory XIII changed the name to Feast of the Holy Rosary–originally celebrated on the first Sunday in October–in 1573. Pope Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716. And in 1913, Saint Pius X set the date for the feast that we know today of October 7.

The development of the rosary has a long history. First a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Marys. Soon a mystery of Jesus’ life was attached to each Hail Mary. Though Mary’s giving of the rosary to Saint Dominic is recognized as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of Saint Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as “the apostle of the rosary.” He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century, the rosary was developed to consist of 15 mysteries: joyful, sorrowful and glorious. In 2002, Pope John Paul II added the five Mysteries of Light to this devotion.

Reflection

The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of the Gospel. The main focus is on Jesus—his birth, life, death, and resurrection. The “Our Fathers” remind us that Jesus’ Father is the initiator of salvation. The “Hail Marys” remind us to join with Mary in contemplating these mysteries. They also make us aware that Mary was and is intimately joined with her Son in all the mysteries of his earthly and heavenly existence. The “Glory Bes” remind us that the purpose of all life is the glory of the Trinity.

The rosary appeals to many. It is simple. The constant repetition of words helps create an atmosphere in which to contemplate the mysteries of God. We sense that Jesus and Mary are with us in the joys and sorrows of life. We grow in hope that God will bring us to share in the glory of Jesus and Mary forever.

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