Saturday, 3 May 2025
Do you know why October is the month of the rosary?
On 7th of October 1571, Turkey was a strong country with a mighty fleet, they possess the most powerful navy in the world, attempting to dominate the entire Europe and destroy the Catholic Church and the religion. Their navy had between 12,000 to 15,000 Christian slaves as their rowers.
As the fate and safety of the Catholic Church are on the hands of St. Pope Pius V, he united the Catholic forces primarily from Spain, Venice, and Genoa under the command of Don Juan of Austria. However, knowing that the mighty Turkish fleet had the superb military weapon and powered by a large group of slaves, it seems that the Catholic naval forces did not stand for a chance to win the battle. Regarding the disadvantages, St. Pope Pius the fifth called for all the people in Europe to pray the Rosary for victory.
Before the war, the Catholic naval forces prayed the rosary for three hours wholeheartedly, hoping that Holy Mary would bring them victory. This is where the miracle happened. During the war in Lepanto, a strong wind had been giving the Turkish fleet an upper hand, and suddenly the direction of the wind changed and turned back against them. It didn’t only stopped their attack but it also gave the Catholic naval forces a great opportunity to fight back. At last, with the miracle of Our Lady, the Catholic naval forces won the battle.
At the hour of victory, St. Pope Pius V, who was hundreds of miles away at the Vatican, is said to have gotten up from a meeting, went over to a window, and exclaimed with supernatural radiance: “The Christian fleet is victorious!” and shed tears of thanksgiving to God.
We know today that the victory was significant, prevented the Islamic invasion of Europe, and evidenced the Hand of God working through Our Lady.
Therefore, to thank Our Lady who protected the Catholic Church and the religion, the month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary and that’s why this month is the month of the rosary.
The rosary prayer is a powerful weapon, not to only defeat our enemy but sins and evils, let us keep praying and hope that Our Lady will deliver our roses to Our Lord and save the souls from the purgatory.
Mr. Mak W. T.
22 October 2021