OCTOBER, MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY

As Cardinal Mercier said : "When prudence is everywhere, courage is nowhere." From Cardinal Sarah : "In order to avoid hearing God's music, we have chosen to use all the devices of this world. But heaven's instruments will not stop playing just because some people are deaf." Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met." Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.” St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Brethren, Wake up!

OCTOBER, MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY

October is traditionally the Month of the Holy Rosary. The feast, which falls on Wednesday 7th, has a great significance for the Order of Malta, as it is the commemoration of the victory of the Battle of Lepanto against the Turk in 1571, in which Our Lady's holy assistance is attributed to the prayer of the Rosary. In more recent time victories, including the fall of the Siege of Vienna, have been attributed to Our Lady's intercession through the prayer of the Rosary.

In our own age we ask Our Lady to pray for peace in the world, and for strength against the powers of darkness which surround us in all walks of life. Especially in the Hospital and Hospice we ask her intercession for the conversion of those in our country who would wage war on the sick, the elderly and the unborn.

THE HOLY ROSARY WILL BE RECITED BEFORE THE THURSDAY MASS EACH WEEK DURING OCTOBER, BEGINNING AT 6.15 pm.

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN