The holy rosary, a spiritual weapon that lights hearts on fire

Daniel Ibañez

October is the month of the rosary. Catholics around the world are encouraged to join in praying the rosary daily to honour the Virgin Mary. On Oct. 7, Catholics celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. It was previously known by the alternate title of “Our Lady of Victory.”

The feast day takes place as a commemoration of the Battle of Lepanto, a 16th-century naval victory that secured Europe against Turkish invasion. Pope Pius V had encouraged the faithful to pray the rosary, and the Blessed Mother’s intercession was credited with the triumph of the “Holy League.” For centuries, the rosary has been considered a weapon of protection against evil and a powerful tool of intercession.

Cast onto one of the columns of the baldachin in St. Peter’s Basilica is the representation of a rosary. So small, it often goes unnoticed by the pilgrim. It is said that Bernini himself, wanting to dedicate his work to the Virgin, crafted the rosary onto the column after finishing the basilica. Daniel Ibañez

*Pope Francis tweeted in 2017 that “the rosary is a synthesis of the mysteries of Christ: we contemplate them together with Mary, who gives us her gaze of faith and love.” Daniel Ibañez*

October is the month of the rosary, and all Catholics are called to unite to ask for the intercession of our Mother and to meditate on the mysteries of the life and teachings of Jesus through her prayer. The recitation of the Holy Rosary is one of the most deeply rooted devotions among the Christian people. It originated around the ninth century as a simplification of the Psalter and spread rapidly among the unlettered laity as a simple prayer. The rosary is a crown of roses that we give to our Mother.

*Millions of people around the world pray to Our Lady, asking her to care for them as a mother and thanking her for accompanying them through the journey of their lives. Daniel Ibañez*

The Holy Rosary is a powerful weapon against the wiles of evil; it is so powerful that it disarms the devil and changes lukewarm hearts into hearts on fire and in love with Jesus, Our Lord. When we pray it with devotion, we are configured to the Lord. According to the testimonies of Sister Lucia, visionary in Fatima, when we pray it with love, heaven opens, and many graces are poured on the person who prays it. For this reason, it is important to pray it with love, shelling out these “aves marias” with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that we are beating and destroying all the lurking of the devil.