Beloved Parishioners,

I wish to conclude the reflection I started last week on the Rosary and October devotion. October also shines as the month of the Holy Rosary —a devotion Pope Leo XIV calls “the heartbeat of a Church that prays.” The Rosary remains one of the simplest yet deepest ways to draw near to Christ through the eyes of His Mother.

Each mystery invites us to see our lives reflected in the story of salvation—to find light in sorrow, strength in weakness, and hope in waiting.

October became particularly associated with the Rosary after the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, where Christians, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Rosary, achieved a significant naval victory against the Ottoman Empire. The Battle of Lepanto, fought on October 7, 1571, was a crucial naval engagement between the Holy League, a coalition of Christian states, and the Ottoman Empire. During the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire was expanding aggressively into Europe, threatening Christian territories and maritime trade routes. The rise of Ottoman power prompted fears among European nations, leading to the formation of the Holy League, which included Spain, the Papal States, and the Venetian Republic. Pope Pius V played a pivotal role in organizing the Holy League, rallying support from various European powers.

The naval battle between the Holy League and the Ottoman troops took place near Lepanto, a port in western Greece. The tide turned in favor of the Holy League, resulting in a decisive victory. In recognition of the battle’s significance, Pope Pius V established the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, celebrated on October 7, to commemorate the victory and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Rosary was seen as a powerful prayer that had contributed to the success of the Holy League. More so, this feast equally promotes the Rosary as a means of spiritual warfare and intercession.

Yet beyond its history, the Rosary is more than repetition—it is a rhythm of love, a reassurance of hope, and a weapon of peace. Every bead we touch becomes a whisper of trust: that even in chaos, God’s promises endure. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, every Hail Mary becomes a gentle declaration that God is not distant, and that love still wins.

So, as this October unfolds, I encourage every family to pray the Rosary together, entrusting your home to the protection of Saint Joseph. Let each bead pass through your fingers as a seed of peace—for our nation, our Church, and our world. In an age marked by restlessness and distraction, the Rosary recenters us in Christ, reminding us that love is stronger than fear and prayer is stronger than despair.

As Pope Leo XIII once prayed to Saint Joseph, we join our voices to reaffirm today: “Guard, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us every contagion of error and every influence that corrupts the heart. O mighty protector, assist us from heaven in our struggle with the powers of darkness.”

May Our Lady of the Rosary intercede for us. May Saint Joseph strengthen our hope, and may this October renew in us the faith that—even in uncertain times— God’s plan is still unfolding quietly, faithfully, and always with love.

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