Today’s feast day commemorates the Blessed Virgin Mary’s assistance with the Christian naval victory over the Ottoman Turkish Empire at Lepanto on October 7, 1571.

The word “rosary” means a chain of roses. The prayer that is the Rosary likens roses we gather for Our Lady by prayerfully marveling upon Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Much more than repetitive prayer, our focus rotates upon four different movements of the great mysteries of salvation, each uniquely showcasing divine grace and mercy for our eyes to behold: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.

We make a sincere effort to pray lovingly, maybe even adding a petition to each decade or every invocation so to avoid routine. With attentive and thoughtful devotion we contemplate the mysteries and, thereby, enter into God’s saving action. Pondering each movement helps deepen our wonder and awe of God’s having rescued us from the clutches of the opponent and winning for us all ultimate Victory.

As the events leading to our salvation are announced and recalled, we savor the delights of Love Alone and look forward with sure and certain hope with our victory secured by the Risen Lord Jesus.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, Queen of the Rosary, pray for us!