THE ROSARY

October is a month specially dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary. It is a Christian tradition to pray the Holy Rosary not only individually but also in groups of families coming together. In practically every parish in our country, the Philippines, this is the devotion that is being practiced.

There are two questions which I would like to dwell on in this matter. First, “Why pray the Rosary?”. And secondly, “How should we pray the Rosary?”

To the first question, these are some of the reasons:

1. It is a very powerful prayer for intercession.

a. In the naval battle of Lepanto, which occurred on October 7, 1571, the victory of the Christians over the Moslems was attributed to the praying of the Rosary.
b. Sometime in October of 1616 at the shores of Manila Bay, 15 Dutch vessels invaded us. Though outnumbered with only 3 Spanish ships we overpowered them thru the intercession of Blessed Mother Mary as the faithful and soldiers prayed the Rosary.

2. It is a prayer advocated by our Blessed Mother Mary.

In her miraculous appearances at Lourdes of France and at Fatima of Portugal, our Blessed Mother Mary enjoined the praying of the Rosary to bring about peace in the world.

3. It is a prayer endorsed by several Popes.

a. Pope Leo XIII on Sept. 1, 1883, in his Encyclical “Supremi Apostolatus Officio” proposed the Rosary as an effective spiritual weapon against the evils afflicting society.

b. Blessed Pope John XXIII in his Apostolic Epistle on Sept. 29, 1961, endorsed the Rosary for the success of the Second Vatican Council.

c. Pope Paul VI, in his Apostolic Exhortation “Marialis Cultus”dated Feb. 2, 1974, emphasized the Rosary’s evangelical character and its Christocentric inspiration.

d. Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” issued on Oct. 16, 2002, said that the Rosary is a “prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness”.

3. It is an effective means of obtaining one’s salvation.

Blessed Bartolo Longo, considered a True Apostle of the Rosary, heard an inspiration in the depths of his heart which says: “Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!”

To the second question, Pope John Paul II says that the Rosary is “an exquisitely contemplative prayer”. He further says: “Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning, as Pope Paul VI clearly pointed out: Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ: ‘In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt. 6:7). By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are disclosed.”

The Rosary, therefore, if prayed meditatively, will enable us to grow in our knowledge of Christ and thus bring us closer to Him thru the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.

By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Oct. 4, 2009