Today, October 7, is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.

October is the month of the Rosary. On October 7, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Memorial was established by Pope St. Pius V after the 1571 victory of the Holy League of Genoa, Spain, and the Papal States over the invading Ottoman Empire, which had made significant gains capturing Western lands and hoped to conquer Rome itself. Pope St Pius had called on the Christian soldiers and on all of Europe to pray the rosary for St. Mary’s intercession in favor of Christian victory. He received a vision on October 7 that the Christian forces had routed the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto on the seas just west of Greece, which was confirmed later that month. All Europe celebrated that Rome and Christendom had been saved. For centuries this feast was called Our Lady of Victories, and the title “Mary, Help of Christians” was added to her litany. Today, the Church still faces great threats, not from the Ottoman Empire, which was dissolved after World War I, but from secular forces demanding that the Church compromise her teachings to accommodate the culture. Even within the Church there are those who insist the Church must compromise in order to be relevant. But the Church’s mission is not to be relevant. It is to faithfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. With Mary’s help, the Church will remain strong in the coming ages until Christ returns. October is a good month to take up the practice of praying the rosary daily, for our personal needs and for the strength of the Church. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us!  

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.

Lamb of God, You take away sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Your take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.