October - Month of the Rosary

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. According to an account by fifteenth-century Dominican, Alan de la Roch, Mary appeared to St. Dominic in 1206 after he had been praying and doing severe penances because of his lack of success in combating the Albigensian heresy. Mary praised him for his valiant fight against the heretics and then gave him the Rosary as a mighty weapon, explained its uses and efficacy, and told him to preach it to others.

"Since the prayers of the Rosary come from such excellent sources — from Our Lord Himself, from inspired Scripture, and from the Church — it is not surprising that the Rosary is so dear to our Blessed Mother and so powerful with heaven." 
 -- Mary in our Life by Fr. William G. Most

The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.

The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.

• Prayers of the Rosary

  • Prayers of the Rosary: Text of the Prayers of the Rosary
  • The Angelus Prayer
    • This prayer dates back to the 13th century and is a Marian devotion that is traditionally recited three times a day, usually at 9, noon, and 6.
    • This devotion reminds us of the Angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, Mary's fiat, the Incarnation, and Our Lord's passion and resurrection. It is repeated as a holy invitation, calling us to prayer and meditation.
  • Prayer of St. Gertrude for Holy Souls
    • According to tradition, Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great that each time she piously recited this prayer, it would greatly ease the suffering of those holy souls in purgatory.

FIFTEEN PROMISES OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN TO CHRISTIANS WHO FAITHFULLY PRAY THE ROSARY

The 15 promises were revealed by Our Blessed Mother to St. Dominic in a private revelation during the Albigensian heresy;  later she revealed them to Blessed Alan de la Roche (who reignited devotion to the rosary in the 15th century).

1. To all those who shall pray my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.
2. Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive some special grace.
3. The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, deliver from sin and dispel heresy.
4. The rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from the 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. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.
6. Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.
7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will share in the merits of the blessed.
9. I will deliver promptly from purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.
10. True children of my Rosary will enjoy great glory in heaven.
11. What you shall ask through my Rosary you shall obtain.
12. To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Son that all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.
14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

• For children:

• Brother Francis - The Rosary: 24-minute video on Formed
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  • For all: 
  • The Traditional Catholic Rosary: 1-hour video on Formed. The Traditional Catholic Rosary features the recitation of the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the traditional fifteen-decade Rosary. The prayers are accompanied by images of sacred art from many of the great masters as well as a lush, yet subtle, orchestral soundtrack.
  • The Rosary, A Prayer of Miracles: 1-hour video. A deeply inspiring documentary that reveals the miraculous power of the Rosary
  • Saint John Paul II's Letter on the Rosary: 30-minute video. Dr. Tim Gray and Lucas Pollice discuss St. John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae.