October dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary

This dedications is mainly due to the liturgical feast/memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on 7 October. We give honour the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer our prayers and her intercession on behalf of us through recitation of the Rosary and it's mysteries by the faithful. The holy rosary, a devotional prayer of the Catholic Church, is both mental and vocal, honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary. It consists of 15 decades of Aves (Hail Mary), each decade being preceded by a Pater (Our Father), and followed by a Gloria (Glory be), all recited while fingering the rosary beads. A different mystery is contemplated during the recital of each decade. They are the 5 mysteries of each which reflect the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries of the life of Christ and His Blessed Mother. On 16 October, 2002, Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter, "Rosarium Virginis Mariae", and in conjunction with the year of the Rosary, added 5 new mysteries, the Luminous mysteries which were to be optional, because no Pope can mandate a break with tradition, binding the faithful under pain of sin. The Luminous mysteries focuses on the public ministry of Jesus Christ. Pope John Paul II has called the Rosary his favourite prayer, in which we meditate with Mary upon the mysteries which she as a mother meditated on in her heart. We Catholics seek refuge in Mary’s care through recitation of the rosary because the Immaculate Virgin was chosen to be the Mother of God, and to cooperate with him in the work of man’s salvation, She has a favour and power with her Son greater than any human or angelic creature and t is her greatest pleasure to grant her help, and comfort those who seek her. 

During the month of October, let us consider this beautiful prayer of the most Holy Rosary and it's mysteries guide us to draw closer to Jesus and Mary by meditating on the great mysteries of our salvation.

O Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain which unites us to God, bond of love which unites us to the angels, tower of salvation against the assaults of hell, safe port in our universal shipwreck, we will never abandon you. You will be our comfort in the hour of death: yours our final kiss as life ebbs away. And the last word from our lips will be your sweet name, O Queen of the Rosary, O dearest Mother, O Refuge of Sinners, O Sovereign Consoler of the Afflicted. May you be everywhere blessed, today and always, on earth and in heaven.