Our Lady of the Rosary - October 7, 2025 - If you don't Pray the Rosary Watch this - Matt Fradd

 https://missions.ewtn.com/seasonsandfeastdays/ourladyoftherosary/

The Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. On this day, we celebrate the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. Even though the Turkish forces were very powerful, the Christians won due to the intercession of Mary and the prayer of the Most Holy Rosary.

What happened at the Battle of Lepanto?

At the time when the Battle of Lepanto was fought, the Ottoman Empire had not lost a major battle since the previous century. Pope St. Pius V realized that the Holy League needed great spiritual assistance, so he asked the Holy League, as well as all of the faithful, to pray the Rosary, asking Our Lady’s intercession for a victory in the upcoming battle. The evening before the famous battle, the sailors prayed the Rosary on their knees.

On October 7, 1571, the Christian fleet went into battle carrying a banner blessed by the Pope. Some evidence also suggests they carried a painting sent to the King of Spain from Mexico depicting the miraculous image known as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Holy League encountered the Ottoman warships deployed in the shape of a crescent, the symbol of Islam. The Holy League’s ships took the shape of a cross. Between the two forces, there were more than 400 warships, making this one of the largest naval battles in history. After five hours of battle, the Holy League won.

Who fought in the Battle of Lepanto?

The Holy League, a coalition of Catholic maritime states promoted by Pope St. Pius V, fought against the Ottomans, an Islamic empire centered in Istanbul. The “Turks” were trying to extend their influence beyond Southeast Europe. A Turkish victory might have permitted the expansion of Islam deep into Europe.

Where did the Battle of Lepanto take place?

The battle took place in the Gulf of Patras, on the western coast of the Greek peninsula.

What was the significance of the Battle of Lepanto?

Due to the Holy League’s defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto, the Turks did not advance into Europe. Many historians have said that this was one of the most significant battles in history.

Why do we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary?

Pope St. Pius V knew that Our Lady had interceded for the Holy League, ensuring their victory. In fact, on the day of the Battle of Lepanto, October 7, 1571, he saw the Blessed Mother in a vision, and she revealed the victory to him.

As an offering of thanksgiving, the Pope declared this day as the Feast day of Our Lady of Victory, later known as Our Lady of the Rosary.

Why is Mary called Queen of the Holy Rosary?

Mary is the Queen Mother because her Son is Christ the King. The Rosary, as given to St. Dominic, is a meditation on the mysteries of the Incarnate King, and thus on the sorrows and joys of His Mother, as well. Thus, Mary is so deeply entwined with the Rosary that one cannot think of the Rosary without thinking of Mary.

To whom did Mary give the Rosary?

In the 13th century, the Blessed Mother appeared in visions to St. Dominic and inspired him to create the Rosary as we know it today.

Read More

How do you pray the Rosary?

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
2. Pray the Creed.
3. Pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.
4. Announce the first Mystery. If possible, make a short meditation on the subject of the Mystery. Then pray an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and the Glory Be. While it is not a formal part of the Rosary, it has become usual to pray the “Fátima Prayer” taught by Our Lady to the children of Fátima in 1917 (see below).
5. This pattern is then repeated over the decades for each of the subsequent Mysteries of the Rosary.
6. After you have completed all the decades, it is usual to say the Hail, Holy Queen, and other prayers according to custom, though these are not formally part of the Rosary, or obligatory.
7. Make the Sign of the Cross and say, “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Fátima Prayer: “O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.”

What is the purpose of praying the Rosary?

Like any prayer, the purpose of the Rosary is to bring us closer to the Lord. Unlike most “vocal prayers,” the Rosary is also meant to be a meditation on the subject matter of the Mysteries.

As a vocal prayer, the Rosary serves the usual purposes of such prayer, often described in the mnemonic A.C.T.S. – Adoration of God, Contrition for our sins, Thanksgiving for His Gifts, and Supplication for ourselves and others. We can thus offer, and intend, the Rosary for any and all of these intentions. Many Catholics even make a different intention for each decade.

This leads us to the Rosary as a meditation. All of these same elements can be drawn out of the Rosary by meditating on its Mysteries. Contemplating the Mysteries we see the reasons to adore and give thanks in the greatness of God and the greatness of His love for us. We see the evil of our sins and the reasons for contrition and in Jesus and Mary the models of holiness to which we ought to aspire, so that we may share in the joys and glory of eternal life with the Holy Trinity.

Thus, the Rosary leads us to a deepening of Faith, Hope, and Charity. It is, as many saints have testified, the door of the faithful to a deeper prayer life and a deeper union with God.

For the Mysteries of the Rosary, go to the following links:

JOYFUL MYSTERIES LUMINOUS MYSTERIES SORROWFUL MYSTERIES GLORIOUS MYSTERIES HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY ROSARY PRAYERS

If I am not able to meditate on the Mysteries, should I say the Rosary?

Many people who pray the Rosary find it difficult to meditate on the Mysteries. Either they don’t consider themselves capable of meditation, or distractions keep them from it. Public Rosaries are often impossible to combine with meditation, and the noise and preoccupations of our culture, especially with electronic devices, certainly do not help.

None of this should keep us from praying the Rosary, and even trying to meditate on the Mysteries. Even if it’s a simple meditation, such as imagining the scene of the Mystery, or is one guided by a book – such as a scriptural Rosary or other Rosary meditation book, it should be possible to some degree for most people. With time, like all habits, if we persevere it will become easier to do.

ROSARY BOOKS AND PRAYER BOOKS

Is there a month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary?

The Catholic Church interweaves the year with feasts and liturgical seasons as reminders of the mysteries of salvation. The months of the year are also dedicated to different aspects of the Faith for this same reason. In October, we recall especially the Holy Rosary, itself a summary of the Gospel. In particular, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7.

While not a definitive list, among the common monthly dedications are the following:

• January: The Holy Name of Jesus
• February: The Passion of Our Lord and the Holy Family
• March: St. Joseph
• April: The Most Holy Eucharist and the Holy Spirit
• May: The Blessed Virgin Mary
• June: The Sacred Heart of Jesus
• July: The Precious Blood of Christ
• August: The Immaculate Heart of Mary
• September: The Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows
• October: The Most Holy Rosary
• November: The Holy Souls in Purgatory
• December: The Immaculate Conception of Mary

What are the 15 promises of the Holy Rosary, and where did they come from?

1. Those who faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against Hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. The recitation of the Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw 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. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
6. Those who recite my Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. In His justice, God will not chastise them; nor shall they perish by an unprovided death, i.e., be unprepared for Heaven. Sinners shall convert. The just shall persevere in grace and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Those who have a true devotion to the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who faithfully recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. By the recitation of the Rosary, you shall obtain all that you ask of me.
12. Those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my beloved children and the brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion for my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

According to tradition, the Blessed Mother gave these 15 promises to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche.

These promises are promoted by the Rosary Confraternity, an association of people around the world who strive to pray 15 decades of the Rosary each week (the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries). Also, they encourage (but do not require) the members to pray the Luminous Mysteries. There are certain plenary and partial indulgences associated with being part of the Confraternity. Finally, since the members of the Confraternity pray for the intentions of the rest of the society, this means that each member receives a share of hundreds of thousands of prayers every day.

Is the Hail Mary prayer in the Bible?

The prayer of the Hail Mary is rooted in Scripture but is also a response of the Church to the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption and the role of Our Lord’s Blessed Mother in it (cf. John 2:3).

In Luke 1:28, St. Gabriel greets Mary with the words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”

In Luke 1:42, St. Elizabeth says these words to Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

READ MORE

May non-Catholics pray the Rosary?

Unlike Holy Communion, which is reserved for Catholics, the Rosary may be prayed by anyone. In fact, since the Rosary is mostly a reflection on the Gospel, many non-Catholics enjoy the meditations on the life of Jesus. The practice was even popularized in books like Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy by Methodist chaplain J. Neville Ward.

The Secret of Therese and the source of Her Sanctity

Life Chain - Vanier Ontario - October 5, 2025 - corner of Montreal Road and the Vanier Parkway

 https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/life-chain

Annual Day of Public Witness for Children Killed by Abortion

Pro-lifers defended life in the womb along roadways and intersections at the National Life Chain today

-Photos - 

Patricia Maloney, Ottawa, ON

https://run-with-life.blogspot.com/

Endorsements

“It is our responsibility as people of faith to bear witness to the sanctity of human life, and to support those who have been affected by abortion.” ~Most Reverend Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina

“As the culture of death around us spreads inexorably, it is more important than ever that those 'with eyes to see' offer a reminder to the wider society that life is a gift to cherish and defend at every stage." ~Most Reverend Stephen Jensen, Bishop of Prince George

The following individuals and organizations have endorsed the 2025 Life Chain. If your group is not listed, please contact us to communicate your endorsement. 

 Angelina Steenstra, National Coordinator of Silent No More Awareness Campaign Canada
Tanya Gaw, Founder of Action4Canada
Jessica Spackman, President & Founder of Latter-day Saints for Life
Jill Mowser, President of Latter-day Saints for Life - Canada
Pastor Richard Juritsch, President of Lutherans for Life - Canada
Dr. David Guretzki, President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
David Gelinas, Ontario State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus
His Eminence Sotirios Athanassoulas, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada
Most Reverend Michael Kwiatkowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster
Most Reverend Richard Smith, Archbishop of Vancouver
Most Reverend Gérard Pettipas, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
Most Reverend Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina
Most Reverend Albert LeGatt, Archbishop of Saint Boniface
Most Reverend Michael Mulhall, Archbishop of Kingston
Most Reverend Marcel Damphousse, Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall
Most Reverend Brian Dunn, Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth
Most Reverend Héctor Vila, Bishop of Whitehorse
Most Reverend Gary Gordon, Bishop of Victoria
Most Reverend Stephen Jensen, Bishop of Prince George
Most Reverend William Terrence McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
Most Reverend Gary Franken, Bishop of Saint Paul
Most Reverend Mark Hagemoen, Bishop of Saskatoon
Most Reverend Stephen Hero, Bishop of Prince Albert
Most Reverend Alan Campeau, Bishop of Thunder Bay
Most Reverend Thomas Dowd, Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie
Most Reverend Ronald Fabbro, C.S.B., Bishop of London
Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., D.D., Bishop of Hamilton
Most Reverend Gerard Bergie, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of St. Catharines
Most Reverend Daniel Miehm, D.D., Bishop of Peterborough
Most Reverend Wayne Kirkpatrick, Bishop of Antigonish
Most Reverend Joseph Dabrowski, C.S.M.A., Bishop of Charlottetown
Most Reverend Bart van Roijen, Bishop of Corner Brook and Labrador

How the miraculous survival of a Polish crucifix urges us to forgive others

 https://www.lifesitenews.com/analysis/how-the-miraculous-survival-of-a-polish-crucifix-urges-us-to-forgive-others/?utm_source=most_recent&utm_campaign=canada

How the miraculous survival of a Polish crucifix urges us to forgive others

The Baryczka Crucifix is united with Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko, who was confronted with the abyss of human malice yet remained a steadfast exemplar of evangelical forgiveness.

40 Days for Life - Ottawa Ontario - October 1, 2025 - Assumption Parish, Vanier

Praying to our Blessed Mother 

Praying to our Guardian Angels

Top U.S. political satirist draws attention to plight of Christians in Nigeria - CNA

 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/266839/top-us-political-satirist-draws-attention-to-plight-of-christians-in-nigeria

CNA Staff, Sep 30, 2025 / 06:00 am

Political satirist Bill Maher, who has often been a vocal critic of Christianity, recently called attention to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, calling the ongoing violence a “genocide attempt.”

“I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria,” he said during the Sept. 26 episode of his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

“They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches,” Maher said, referring to violent Islamists in Nigeria such as Boko Haram.

“This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza,” he continued. “They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.”

“Where are the kids protesting this?” Maher asked.

The violent persecution of Christians in Nigeria “is underreported in Western media,” Religious Freedom Institute President David Trimble told CNA.

Trimble, commending Maher for raising the issue “to his mass audience, which may otherwise have very little exposure to such weighty issues,” noted that the “atrocities committed against Nigerian Christians can rightly be labeled as genocide.” 

“Nigeria is the most dangerous place in the world to be a follower of Jesus,” Trimble said. “Over the last decade, Islamist extremists have killed approximately 4,000 Christians there annually.”

Since July 2009, more than 19,000 Christian churches have been destroyed or looted, while hundreds of clergy, including Catholic priests, have been kidnapped or attacked. Less than two weeks ago, a Catholic priest named Father Matthew Eya was murdered while returning from his ministry.  

Edward Clancy, outreach director of Aid to the Church in Need USA, said that Christian persecution is at its height in Nigeria.

“It’s the area in the world where more Christians are killed for their faith than anywhere else,” Clancy told CNA.

“It’s amazing that it takes Bill Maher to become the voice of Christian persecution in the United States,” Clancy added.

Experts call the persecution a genocide

Christians make up about half of Nigerians, but they live in fear of persecution. 

“Shocking levels of violence have persisted for years,” Trimble said.

Christians experience frequent violent attacks, especially those living on farms in small towns on the outskirts of the north central state of Benue, which is predominantly Christian. Their farms are often burned to the ground during these attacks, destroying their livelihoods.

“They attack small towns and devastate them to the point that people need to abandon their homes, and then they’ll destroy and burn what’s remaining,” Clancy said. “It just demolishes the whole community.” 

Because of the destruction, many parishes have been forced to close. In the Diocese of Makurdi in Benue, at least 16 parishes have been abandoned due to the violence, according to Clancy. As each parish has multiple locations, this translates to roughly 40 churches. 

The violence in Nigeria has “a lot of the elements of a genocide,” Clancy said.

The violence began in 2009 with the Boko Haram insurgency, which aimed to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state. Since then, the group has been orchestrating terrorist attacks on civilians and targeting Christians. 

But militant Fulani herdsmen contribute to a majority of the violence, sowing fear in Nigeria’s Middle Belt communities.  

“These Fulani militants account for more attacks against Christians (and Muslims) than either of the more prominent Boko Haram and ISWAP [Islamic State West Africa Province],” Trimble said.

The violence is now growing in the south, according to Trimble. 

“Violence against Christians, once confined predominantly to the north and Middle Belt, is now also spreading further south, where the majority of Nigerian Christians reside,” Trimble said. 

Persecution is enshrined in Nigerian law, with blasphemy laws, sharia codes, and sharia courts in more than a dozen provinces “that oppose equal rights and due process for religious minorities,” according to Trimble.

“Atrocities committed against Nigerian Christians can rightly be labeled as genocide in terms both of how that term is used in popular discourse as well as its more precise usage in international law,” Trimble added.

Clancy noted that declarations of genocide are often “after the fact.”

“By the time someone says it, it’s history,” Clancy said. “We’ve got to stop it beforehand.”

Vocations thrive amid persecution 

Though priests are being kidnapped and even killed, vocations thrive in Nigeria.

“Believe it or not, it’s inspiring vocations,” Clancy said. “You would think that Tertullian was a lunatic when he said, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the faith.’ But there’s been so many young men who’ve been emboldened.”

“The seminaries are full,” he said. 

When asked how Catholics can support their fellow Christians in Nigeria, Clancy said that “we should always start with prayer because it guides us, but it also helps to strengthen us.”

But also, Clancy encouraged Christians in the U.S. to “build awareness” as the topic of Christian persecution often “becomes cloistered in the confines of worship space” but “it doesn’t break out.”

“The Church is being very faithful and serving the people around the world in the harshest places,” Clancy said. “Let people know that our brothers and sisters in places like Nigeria are suffering.”

Message to Democrats and Leftists

 

The Catholic Church Should Be Doing What Charlie Kirk Did | National Catholic Register

The Catholic Church Should Be Doing What Charlie Kirk Did| National Catholic Register: COMMENTARY: Of all the diabolical smears in the world, none have the sticking power of false witness, when people want to believe it.

Calvin Robinson: RETURN TO THE FEAR OF GOD | TPUSA Faith

LILLEY UNLEASHED: CBC is sick to the core

40 Days for Life - Wednesday, September 24, 2025

I arrived at the Prayer site shortly before 7. 

Shawna and Autumn from Blessed Sacrament Parish arrived shortly after, and Deacon David was on his way. We prayed the Holy Rosary (Joyful, Luminous and Sorrowful Mysteries). Thank you, Mother Mary, for hearing our prayers.

God bless Blessed Sacrament Parish. Shawna told me that most of the hours were covered. The weather was beautiful, sunny, and relatively warm. Thank you, Jesus!!!

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