October 7th - Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary



St. Dominic and Our Lady of the Rosary Leopardskin Jasper, Copper, & Bronze Linear Pocket Rosary



October 7^th – Our Lady of the Rosary

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary (also Our Lady of the Holy Rosary or Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary). Histories of the Holy Rosary often attribute its origin to St. Dominic through the Blessed Virgin Mary at Prouille. Our Lady appeared to St. Dominic in 1208 in the church of Prouille, France, where the Virgin Mary gave the Rosary to him.

The rosary has a rich and ancient history and continues to bring peace to devotees. The word "rosary" comes from the Latin, "rosarium," meaning rose garden or garland of roses. Praying the rosary is like walking through Mary's rose garden in contemplation. Long ago, the practice of counting prayers by counting beads was common. Even illiterate folks could keep track of their devotion by moving between beads, or even by tossing pebbles into a pile. A tradition of devotion developed of praying 150 Our Fathers a day and evolved to Marian devotion.

This feast day dates from Pope Pius V (1571) and it was first called, “Our Lady of Victory” to commemorate a miraculous battle victory of the Holy League. The feast has changed names and dates several times at the direction of various popes through history. October 7^th was assigned in 1913 and in 1969, Pope Paul VI changed the name to “Our Lady of the Rosary.”

Before the vision of Our Lady in Prouille, St. Dominic's goal was to teach the people about Jesus, but as in the ageless human condition, the people wanted to fit Jesus into their own way of thinking, not fit their lives into the thinking of Jesus. After the apparition, St. Dominic's mission became to preach the rosary to the people and thereby teach the people about Jesus. The response was amazing.

The rosary as St. Dominic taught it is much the same as we say it today. It included the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Apostles Creed, and the Glory Be. The Hail Holy Queen was added a few centuries later, as well as Our Lady's request at Fatima, and Pope John Paul II's Luminous Mysteries. Blessings to all on this special commemoration. Debbie Athas, 15 Promises Rosaries