hi everybody! :)
we've come to the month of October! and it's a special month in Catholic tradition because it's devoted to remembrance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in October, more specifically as Our Lady of the Rosary.
October 7th is in actual fact, the feastday of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Our Lady of the RosaryPope St. Pius V established this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto—a victory attributed to the praying of the rosary. Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716.
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 Glorys 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.
(source: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1161)When Our Lady granted the Rosary to Saint Dominic, she promised the greatest blessings to those who prayed it well. i've listed the promises below. yes, they are a little lengthy.. but it's interesting to know.
15 promises of the Rosary
1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive powerful graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good work to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The Souls which recommends itself to me by recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of his graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great Sign of predestination.
Blessings of the Rosary1-Sinners are forgiven.
2-Souls that thirst are refreshed.
3-Those who are fettered have their bonds broken.
4-Those who weep find happpiness.
5-Those who are tempted find peace.
6-The poor find help.
7-Religious are reformed.
8-Those who are ignorant are instructed.
9-The living learn to overcome pride.
10-The Holy Souls in Purgatory have their pains eased by suffrages.
(source: The New Rosary Book: with the Mysteries of light)So throughout the course of this month of October, let's be mindful of Our Lady and the Rosary.. and try to keep the devotion whenever we can. :)
if you need a little help or refresher course on how to pray the rosary.. you can click
here. :)
CSS is taking some little steps too.-All the Arts CGs will be reciting the Rosary BEFORE CG for this month of October.
-There will be recitation of the Rosary BEFORE MASS on fridays during this month of October as well.
In addition.. as mentioned above, October 7th is the feastday of Our Lady of the Rosary. it's next Tuesday. and I will be heading to Holy Cross for evening mass.. anyone who is free and wishes to honour Our Lady of the Rosary on her special feastday is welcome to join me. :) i'll most probably be in the Library or at Arts Corner. drop me a msg or an email. :) *daily mass at Holy Cross is about 1/2 an hr long. vespers starts at 6pm. im not sure whether they will be reciting the rosary before this mass though.
love,
-cher
Labels: announcements, Feastday, Our Lady
