OCTOBER - MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY

Madonna of the Rosary by Lorenzo Lotto 1539

The Feast of the Holy Rosary falls on 7th October, and Holy Church has for many centuries dedicated this month to Our Lady's honour in this mystery. There are many internet groups set up to join together in praying the Holy Rosary daily this month, and we should never forget that the Rosary is a communal prayer, to be recited together, by which we gain additional graces, not just a private devotion. These groups facilitate this, even when we are physically alone. If you have found one you are warmly encouraged to join it.

We in the Order of Malta have a special relationship to the Holy Rosary, which has come to the aid of our Brethren over the centuries in their battles against the Ottoman forces, and it is fitting that, without the need to subscribe our names or intentions, all members of the Order, Companions, OMV and our many supporters and friends, should say a daily Rosary together this month for the intentions of the Lieutenant Grand Master and for the furtherance of the twin charism of our Order, Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum - the Defence of the Faith and the humble Service of the Poor.

As the forces of Islam on one hand, and the destroyers of Christian ethics on the other, once again range themselves against Holy Mother Church, the 150 beads of the Holy Rosary are our weapon - our canons, our halberds, the oars of our galleys.  Let us bend our backs to this battle together, and Our Lady promises us Victory, as she has so often before!

S Bernard by Georg Andreas Wasshuber
at Heiligenkreuz Abbey (17th C)

From a Hymn of Praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, herald of the Second Crusade:

If squalls of temptations arise, or thou fall upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the star, 
call upon Mary.


If thou art tossed by the waves of pride or ambition, detraction or envy, look to the star, 
call upon Mary.

If anger or avarice or the desires of the flesh dash against the ship of thy soul, 
turn thine eyes towards Mary.

If, trouble by the enormity of thy crimes, ashamed of thy guilty conscience, terrified by dread of the judgment, thou beginnest to sink into the gulf of sadness or the abyss of despair, 
think of Mary.

In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary, 
call upon Mary.

Let her be ever on thy lips, ever in thy heart; 
and the better to obtain the help of her prayers, imitate the example of her life.

Following her, thou strayest not;
 
invoking her, thou despairest not;

thinking of her, thou wanderest not;
 
upheld by her, thou fallest not; 

shielded by her, thou fearest not;
 
guided by her, thou growest not weary;
 
favoured by her, thou reachest the goal.

And thus dost thou experience in thyself how good is that saying: ‘And the Virgin’s name was Mary!'