"Rosarium Virginis Mariae" (HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY (OCTOBER 7)

Homily for the feast of the Holy Rosary (October 7)

Today the Holy Mother church celebrates the feast of our lady of the Holy Rosary. A highly esteemed Marian devotional practice recommended in the church. There is no other devotion in the church that has been the subject of many official documents as the Rosary. From 1883 till 1966, no less than seventeen encyclicals have been devoted to the Rosary. Pope John Paul II of blessed memory published his Apostolic Letter, "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" (the Rosary of the Virgin Mary) on October 16, 2002 and declared the year October 2002 to October 2003 as the year of the Rosary.

In the year 1858 and 1917 respectively, our lady herself appeared at Lourdes and Fatima with a rosary in her hands and requested its recitation. Thus, via such a maternal request, the rosary had become part and parcel of the church's Marian devotion for donkey years.

The essence and benefits of the rosary cannot be underestimated. The Rosary is the compendium of the Gospel, it helps us to contemplate the mysteries of Christ through the eyes of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The joyful mystery, the mysteries of light, the sorrowful mysteries, the glorious mysteries. The Rosary helps us to reminisce the various key events in our history of salvation: the incarnation, passion, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus for the redemption of humanity. Hence, the rosary is a Christocentric devotion as well as a biblical devotion.

Christocentric because Marian devotion is always effective in making Christ better known, loved, glorified and obeyed. It helps us enter into an intimate communion with Christ and makes us Christ-like in our spirituality. Biblical also, because it speaks of the biblical aspect of our spirituality as evident in the various mysteries of Christ e.g incarnation (Jn 1:14), visitation (Lk 1:42), presentation in the temple (Lk 2:28-32), Baptism (Lk 3:21-22), the scourging at the Pilar (Jn 19:1), crowning with thorns (Mk 15:17-20) etc and the rosary helps us to assimilate and live out in deeds the message of salvation.

Beloved in Christ, the Holy Rosary is a perfect form of prayer officially approved by the church, it is a profession of our faith in God. It is a tribute to the Holy Trinity, a prayer of hope and confidence in God. The rosary touches the heart and enkindles charity. it is a source of grace and enlightenment. It brings comfort in trials, strength in temptation, and is a powerful aid in every situation we find ourselves. Via the rosary we seek the intercession of the Blessed virgin Mary in every situation of life knowing fully well she will grant us her maternal help and love. After all, Mary is the spokesperson for all humanity who suffer and are oppressed, humanity searching for truth and salvation. Hence, Mary is the representative of the people of God, who intercedes for all Christ faithfuls.

Children of God, the rosary is a universal prayer for every age and condition. Through the rosary, Mary gathers all our petitions, that of the poor and the humbled and presents them all before God's throne of divine majesty. It brings the  divine light upon our families, our daily lives and all circumstances and difficulties of our lives and guarantees our libretaion and victory.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, just like John the disciple whom Jesus loved brought Mary into his home (Jn 19:26). By reciting the rosary we can also bring Mary into our home, our hearts, and endeavours. The history of the church teaches us that rosary is efficacious in warding off evils and prevent calamities. Pope Pius V attributed the victory of Lepanto in 1571 against the Turks to the Holy Rosary. Let us draw strength and vigour by reciting and contemplating on  the rosary and it's mysteries.

The rosary is a prayer loved by countless saints. We can imitate the saints in living Holy lives through the gracious assistance we derive from praying the rosary. Let the recitation of the rosary, contemplating on the mysteries of Christ Jesus, bring us into communion with God and grant us the grace through the intercession of the Blessed virgin Mary sufficient to live out our Christian vocation righteously. God bless us all

Have a blessed day!

Happy feast day to you all