From the Desk of Father Nathan

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people who are all close to my heart

Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.

October | The Month of the Rosary

Our Lady of the Rosary

The month of October is called and is known as the month of the Rosary. Let us have special love toward our Blessed Mother especially Our Lady of the Rosary.

St. Pius V established the feast of Our Lady of Victory to thank God for the Christian defeat of the Turks at Lepanto – a victory attributed to praying the rosary.

Pope Gregory XII changed the name to Feast of the Holy Rosary- originally celebrated on the first Sunday in October in 1573.

Pope Clement XI extended the feast of the Universal Church in 1716.

And in 1913, St. Pius X set the date for the feast that we know today October 7th.

The development of the rosary has a long history.

• First, there was a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms.
• Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Marys.
• Soon a mystery of Jesus’ life was attached to each Hail Mary.

“the apostle of the rosary”

Though Mary’s giving of the rosary to St. Dominic in the 13th century is recognized as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic.

One of them, Alan de La Roche, was known as “the apostle of the rosary”. He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century, the rosary was developed to consist of 15 mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious.

In 2002 Pope John Paul II added the five Mysteries of Light to this devotion.

The purpose of the rosary

The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of the Gospel. The main focus is on Jesus—his birth, life, death and resurrection.

The “Our Fathers” remind us that Jesus’ Father initiates salvation.

The “Hail Marys” remind us to join Mary in contemplating these mysteries. They also make us aware that Mary was, and is intimately joined with her Son in all the mysteries of His earthly and heavenly existence.

The “Glory Bes” remind us that the purpose of all life is the glory of the Trinity.

The rosary appeals to many. It is simple. The constant repetition of words helps create an atmosphere in which to contemplate the mysteries of God. We sense that Jesus and Mary are with us in the joys and sorrows of life. We grow in hope that God will bring us to share in the glory of Jesus and Mary forever.

God bless you all.

With lots of love and blessings,

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan