Dear Friends in Christ,
In 1571, the Ottoman Empire was poised to invade and conquer Italy, and eventually all of Europe. Had they done so, millions would have died and countless others forced to renounce the Catholic Faith. As the great battle loomed dark over all of Europe, Pope St. Pius V called upon the people of Italy urgently and ardently to take up the prayer of the Most Holy Rosary. Those fighting for Italy were all sent into battle armed with a Rosary. The overwhelming forces of the Ottoman Empire made it seem impossible that Italy could be saved.
Miraculously, on October 7, 1571 the much smaller and less well-armed fleet of the Catholic League were victorious in the daylong naval Battle of Lepanto. Europe was spared and people were free to continue practicing the Catholic Faith. As a result, Pope St. Pius V declared that October 7th would henceforth honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of, “Our Lady of Victories.” A later Pope changed the title of the Feast to “Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.” It is for this reason that October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary.
I have to admit that I am a little bit partial to the older title of “Our Lady of Victories.” I’ve always taken a liking to spiritual imagery that involves battle. Many great hymns have stirred the hearts of believers to fight and to struggle toward victory. Sometimes I like to see an image of the tender Virgin Mary, sweetly holding the Christ Child, but there are other times when I want to see the Blessed Virgin crushing the head of the serpent!
In any event, October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary. It is a wonderful time to become more dedicated to the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary. She is still Our Lady of Victories. She still desires to assist her children in their hour of need. The Catholic sailors who battled at Lepanto were vastly outnumbered and outgunned, but they were victorious because they relied upon the Blessed Virgin.
A source of great sorrow for me–and I know, for many of you–is the abandonment of the practice of the Faith by so many Catholics. It is deeply painful to see people whom we love–people who were once faithful to the sacraments–abandon the Faith that others fought so nobly to live. Covid certainly did not help us. Many who had been practicing the Faith, stopped coming and never returned. They no longer worship God nor do they receive the Most Holy Eucharist. It was not an armada of well-armed naval vessels that defeated them, but rather a spirit known as acedia. Acedia is a spiritual malady that makes one listless or sluggish in regards to God, to the Commandments, and to the whole of the spiritual life. It eventually leads one toward spite, malice, despair, and an unrestful spirit. This “unrestful spirit” finds one roaming about from one thing to another trying to fill the void.
Like 1571, we are outnumbered and outgunned. Despite our best efforts at inviting and encouraging (but not, haranguing!) our family members and friends who have surrendered the greatest treasure ever possible, we seem to be fighting a losing battle. The cultural influences and the dreadful power of a slothful spirit seem far more forceful than what we can muster.
If you do not pray the Rosary, could I recommend to you that you pray just one decade each day during October? It would take you no more than a few minutes. If you want to pray more than that, great, but maybe just commit to one decade to begin? Young families who eat together, maybe pray one decade before supper?
One intention that maybe we could all pray for during our daily Rosary this month is for the return to the Sunday Eucharist of those whom we love and dearly miss.
May she whose Motherly assistance brought victory to the Catholics at Lepanto now come to our aid and win for us a new and glorious victory.
Your Brother in Christ,
Fr. David Barnes