Our Lady of the Rosary

Who is she?

Our Lady of the Rosary is Mary, the Mother of Jesus, honored under a title linked to the Rosary. “Rosary” means a garland of roses. Praying the Rosary is offering Mary a garland of prayers, while looking at Jesus with her through the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries.

Her story

The Rosary took shape little by little over many centuries. According to tradition, Mary gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic, and the Dominican friars spread this prayer everywhere.

In 1571, a great fleet threatened the Christian countries. Pope Saint Pius V called on the faithful to pray the Rosary and ask Mary’s help, and many people answered. On 7 October 1571, the Christian fleet won the battle of Lepanto. Pius V believed it was thanks to Mary’s intercession, and he established the feast of Our Lady of Victory. In 1573, Gregory XIII renamed it the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. In 1716, Clement XI extended the feast to the whole Church. In 1913, Pius X fixed it on 7 October.

The first part of the Hail Mary comes from the Gospel. The angel greeted Mary: “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28). Elizabeth said: “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Lk 1:42).

In the apparitions recognized by the Church at Lourdes and Fatima, Mary also held a rosary, and at Fatima she asked everyone to pray it.

Why does the Church honor her under this title?

Because the Rosary is a simple prayer that anyone can pray: children, old people, the sick. By praying the Rosary, we learn to look at Jesus through Mary’s eyes. The Popes have often invited families to pray the Rosary together, especially in October.

A lesson for you

• Carry a rosary with you and pray at least one decade every day.
• In October, pray the Rosary with your family or your parish.
• When you pray the Rosary, think about Jesus in the mystery you are praying, and don’t rush just to finish.