Saturday of 26th week in Ordinary Time, 2023
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
Reflection by Fr Collins Akhigbe, OP
Scriptural Passages
1st reading Acts 1:12-14. Psalm Lk. 1:46-55. Gospel Lk. 1:26-38.
Theme: The Power Of The Rosary
We celebrate today the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This feast started as Our Lady of Victory. It was later named Our Lady of the Rosary because of what God did through the prayer of the Rosary. The feast of the Holy Rosary was instituted by Pope Pius V to celebrate the anniversary of the defeat of the Turkish fleet at the battle of Lepanto on the first Sunday in October 1571, which ended the threat of Muslim domination of the Mediterranean and was ascribed in part to the prayers and processions of the Rosary confraternity in Rome. Later the feast was moved to the fixed date of 7 October (Taken from the Universalis). The Holy Rosary is one of the most popular prayers of Catholics throughout the world. It is very efficacious and powerful. The Holy Rosary as a prayer is a Gospel of Jesus and Mary. The mystery of the life of Jesus and Mary is woven into the prayer of the Holy Rosary. It is a powerful means through which we meditate on the lives of Jesus Christ and his mother. The Holy Rosary is a summary of the Gospel. This is so because through the various mysteries of the Rosary, we are able to go through the journey of our Salvation’s history. We begin by recounting the story of the Annunciation, where angel Gabriel revealed to Mary that she will conceive and bear a Son who will save his people. This is the message in today’s Gospel reading. The Blessed Virgin Mary accepted the will of God. The angel Gabriel also revealed that Elizabeth, her cousin is six months pregnant. This led Mary to visit Elizabeth. This visit is the second decade of the joyful mystery. In today’s first reading, we are presented with the story of the gathering at the upper room by the Apostles and some other disciples including Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. This took place after the Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. In the glorious Mystery of the Rosary, the Ascension of Jesus is the second decade. Every aspect of the life of Jesus Christ is captured in this powerful prayer called the Holy Rosary. It is a prayer that enables us to fix our gaze on the life of Jesus and Mary. It is a prayer that helps us to keep alive the memory of our Salvation’s history. This is where the power of the Rosary comes from. Through this prayer we journey through the birth, the public ministry of Christ, his suffering and death and his resurrection. We also meditate on the Ascension of Jesus, the Assumption of Mary and her Coronation in heaven. There are many testimonies with regard to the Holy Rosary. I am a living testimony of the power of the Rosary. In this reflection we shall highlight why the Holy Rosary is a powerful weapon and how to make use of this weapon of the Holy Rosary.
Why The Holy Rosary Is Powerful
First, the Holy Rosary begins with the sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The invocation of the Holy Trinity is a powerful weapon that can bring about miracles and wonders if recited with faith and confidence.
Second, the Holy Rosary contains the Creed of our faith. I believe in One God the Father Almighty..This prayer enables Catholics and Christians alike to keep alive the memory of their faith. The Creed summarizes the essence of the Christian faith. Through the prayer of the Rosary we are able to pass on the core values of our teachings and doctrine. This is a powerful means of preserving our faith and doctrine.
Third, through the Holy Rosary, we meditate on the prayer that Christ taught us, Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors..(Mt. 6:9-13). This prayer of Jesus is said again and again through the Holy Rosary. If we say this prayer meditatively, we would prevail and triumph.
Fourth, during this prayer, we honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask for her intercession. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you…(Lk. 1:28). This is the greetings of the angel Gabriel. In the scriptures we see how the intercession of Mary brought about the miracle at the wedding at Cana (Jn. 2:3-5). The influence of the mother of Jesus Christ is even more now than ever before.
Fifth, through the Holy Rosary, we glorify the Blessed Trinity. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. When we honour the Blessed Trinity, we find ourselves. It is truly a meritorious offering indeed. Let us give honour to whom honour is due. The Rosary enables us to fulfill this noble task.
Sixth, through the prayer of the Holy Rosary, we meditate on the joyful mystery. The Annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38), The Visitation (Lk. 1:39-56), The Nativity (Lk. 2:6-20), The Presentation in the temple (Lk. 2:22-39), and The Finding of the child Jesus in the temple (Lk. 2:41-51). When we meditate on this journey of faith, we gain intimacy with Mary and Jesus. We begin to appreciate the essence of our faith and the beauty of our heritage.
Seventh, through the Holy Rosary, we also meditate and go through the public ministry of Christ. The Baptism (Mt. 3:11-17), The self revelation of Jesus at the wedding at Cana (Jn. 2:1-12), The Proclamation of the kingdom (Mk. 1:14-15), The Transfiguration (Lk. 9:28-34), The Institution of the Eucharist (Mt. 26:26-28). The Holy Rosary enables us to go on this mystery of the public ministry of Christ.
Eighth, through the prayer of the Holy Rosary, we also go through the sorrowful mystery of Christ. The Prayer and Agony in the garden (Mt. 26:36-46). The Scourging at the Pillar (Mt. 27:26). The Crowning with Thorns (Mt. 27:29-30). The Carrying of the Cross (Lk. 23:26-32). The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Christ (Lk. 23:33-46). Meditation on the sorrowful is capable of leading us to tears and repentance. The more we meditate on the sorrowful mystery the more we gain strength to overcome temptation and sin. This is a powerful mystery capable of transforming any soul.
Ninth, through the Holy Rosary, we also go through the glorious mystery of our Salvation. The Resurrection (Mt. 28:1-10). The Ascension (Mk. 16:19-20). The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-41). The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Rev. 12:1). The Coronation (Rev. 12:1). When we meditate on the glorious mystery we are reminded that one day our journey also will end up in heaven. The glorious mystery enables us to fix our gaze in heaven where Christ is seated. The glorious mystery helps us to be patient in trials and difficulties knowing that one day, we too shall be with Jesus Christ forever and ever.
The Benefits and Promises of the Holy Rosary
The prayer of the Rosary leads us to union with Jesus and Mary. We gain the friendship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son Jesus Christ.
These are the fifteen promises attached to the Rosary, namely,
First, Those who faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
Second, I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
Third, The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
Fourth, The recitation of the Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to desire eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
Fifth, The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
Sixth, Those who recite my Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. In His justice, God will not chastise them; nor shall they perish by an unprovided death, i.e., be unprepared for heaven. Sinners shall be converted. The just shall persevere in grace and become worthy of eternal life.
Seventh, Those who have a true devotion to the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
Eighth, Those who faithfully recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
Ninth, I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
Tenth, The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
Eleventh, By the recitation of the Rosary you shall obtain all that you ask of me.
Twelth, Those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
Thirteen, I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
Fourteen, All who recite the Rosary are my beloved children and the brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
Fifteen, Devotion for my Rosary is a great sign of predestination. These are the promises made to those who recite the Holy Rosary with devotion.
Prayers
Lord, help us to love you above all things. Lord, give us the grace of filial devotion to your mother. Lord, help us to overcome temptation and sin. Lord, give us the grace of final perseverance. Lord, please, sustain us till the very end. Amen. Wishing you happy feast day.
With lots of prayers and love.
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