Io Amo Gesù

Our Lady of the Rosary, Saint of the day for 7 October

Da Paolo Tessione -

The story of the Madonna del Rosario
Saint Pius V instituted this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of the Christians over the Turks in Lepanto, a victory attributed to the prayer of the rosary. Clement XI in 1716 extended the feast to the universal Church.

The development of the rosary has a long history. At first a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Marys. Soon a mystery of the life of Jesus was attached to every Hail Mary. Although Mary's delivery of the rosary to Saint Dominic is recognized as a legend, the development of this form of prayer owes much to the followers of Saint Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as "the apostle of the rosary". He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 2002th century, the rosary was developed in its present form, with the XNUMX mysteries: joyful, painful and glorious. In XNUMX, Pope John Paul II added five Mysteries of Light to this devotion.

Pray the rosary like never before!

Reflection
The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of the gospel. The main focus is on Jesus: his birth, life, death and resurrection. Our Fathers remind us that the Father of Jesus is the initiator of salvation. The Hail Marys remind us to join Mary in the contemplation of these mysteries. They also make us understand that Mary was and is intimately united with her Son in all the mysteries of her earthly and celestial existence. Gloria Bes reminds us that the purpose of all life is the glory of the Trinity.

Many like the rosary. Is simple. The constant repetition of the words helps to create an atmosphere in which to contemplate the mysteries of God. We feel that Jesus and Mary are with us in the joys and sorrows of life. We grow in the hope that God will lead us to share forever the glory of Jesus and Mary.