Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

The power of the Rosary

Luke 1:26-38

I have met many Vietnamese who fled their country due to the communist government. Many didn’t have the chance to escape by airplane; they left by boat. On the vast ocean, they faced hunger and thirst, and many lost their lives. Yet, those who survived held onto prayer because they could no longer rely on human help. The Rosary became a powerful source of strength for them.

When they arrived in the USA, many didn’t speak English but still wanted to attend Mass. During the Mass, they prayed the Rosary, finding comfort in this familiar prayer. Growing up in Vietnam, we often gathered at church to pray the Rosary at night, especially since we didn’t have daily Mass due to a shortage of priests. If we couldn’t make it to church, we prayed the Rosary before bed.

The reason I share this is that for many, the Rosary is one of the most powerful prayers in their lives. It serves as a weapon against temptation. St. Therese of Lisieux said, “I love to pray the Rosary; it is my favorite prayer,” and “The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin.”

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary reminds us of Mother Mary’s powerful help, especially during the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when united prayer led to a miraculous victory against the Ottoman Turks. This shows us the Rosary's strength in our spiritual battles.

This feast also connects beautifully with today’s Gospel, the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel visits Mary, and she accepts her role as the Mother of God. Just as Mary said "yes" to God's plan, the Rosary invites us to meditate on her life and and the life of Jesus. Through the Rosary, we seek her intercession and emulate her trust in God, recognizing Mary as our model of faith.

For many, the Rosary is the simplest and most effective prayer God has given us to connect with Him. Let us turn to Our Mother with faith, trusting in her goodness and protection.