The month of October is when we celebrate popular events like World Techers’ Day and Halloween parties/trick or treat during the 31st night of the month. Lots of fun indeed. But before going on to these occasions, are we spiritually nourished enough as we celebrate as well the Feast of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
Many of us might have compared the rosary to a necklace with beads and a cross as a pendant. Also, we all know of it as an instrument used to show our devotion by completing its prayers traditionally while facing the altar and professing our faith. On the other hand, some might be wondering where the rosary even originated.
The History
Rosary came from the latin word “rosarium” meaning “rose garden.” It is widely considered as a gift of roses to our Blessed Mother in heaven. St. Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221) was said to be the fountainhead of the rosary according to several popes of the Catholic Church. Blessed Mary believed to have been appeared in St. Dominic’s dream, and told him to preach about the holy rosary to be able to stop the Albegenses heresy from doing various activities considered as evil by the Church. It also had the purpose to help the fallen find their way back to God.
Another story, the rosary became the triumph of winning of the Christians over the Turks at Lepanto, off the coast of Greece during the bloodiest naval war in history. It has reached its popularity globally when Pope Pius X asked all the Christians to pray the rosary as a protection against the opponents. All the prayers were answered when victory and peace were finally attained. The pope then established the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7, 1573 to give thanks to almighty God.
During the 9th century, monks were reciting all the 150 psalms as part of their prayers and devotion. But then, some were having a problem for not being able to memorize all the prayers. So Christians began to pray 50 or 150 of the Our Fathers instead of the psalms.
The Rosary
The rosary contains six of Catholicism’s most recognized prayers: the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer), the Hail Mary (also known as the Angelic Salutations), the Glory be, the Fátima Prayer (“O My Jesus”) and the Hail Holy Queen.
From the 16th up to the 21st century, there were three sets of mysteries including the Joyful, the Glorious and the Sorrowful. But in 2001, Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries or the Mysteries of Light. The intention was to indicate meditations on the time in Jesus’ life between his incarnation (a Joyful mystery) and his passion (A sorrowful mystery).
The faith of the people to the holy rosary will never vanish, for except the Our Father, no Catholic prayer or devotion may be more revered than the rosary. The church continue to spread its importance in the modern world, even up to the future generations. As a faithful disciple of Christ, may this practice remain in us and keep it alive, no matter how the world turn on opposite sides. (Maria Angela Patrice M. Mabutol)
