October: Month of the Holy Rosary

October is known across the Catholic world as the Month of the Holy Rosary. It was Pope Leo XIII, in 1884, who dedicated this month to the recitation of the Rosary, placing in the hands of Mary’s children a spiritual weapon of hope and victory.

“Mother! Call her, cry out to her, she is listening, she sees you in danger,” urged Saint Josemaría Escrivá, reflecting on Mary’s closeness to those who turn to her. Similarly, Padre Pio once said, “In my greatest sufferings, it seems to me that I no longer have a mother on this earth but a very compassionate one in Heaven.”

For the faithful, Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus, but also our Mother, who accompanies us in our struggles and draws us closer to Christ through the Rosary.

Mary’s Role in Salvation

The title “Co-Redemptrix,”  which is not an official dogma of the church but has been used in some church documents in the past,  has sparked debate. At first glance, it might appear to place her on the same level as Christ, the Redeemer. But “co-” in Latin simply means “with.” Mary is not equal to Christ, but she shares uniquely in His redemptive work.

Her “yes” to the angel Gabriel opened the way for the birth of the Savior. By freely cooperating with God’s plan, she became inseparably linked to humanity’s salvation. In this sense, her whole life was a participation in Christ’s mission.

A Mother for All

The Church teaches that Mary continues her maternal care even now, from her place in heaven. She intercedes for the faithful on earth and for souls in purgatory. Many saints affirm this truth.

Saint Bridget of Sweden once recorded Mary’s words: “I am the Mother of all the souls in Purgatory.” Saint Bernardine of Siena likewise declared, “Mary has the power not only to relieve but even to deliver souls from their pains.”

This conviction echoes every time believers pray the familiar words: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”

Lessons from History

History, too, highlights Mary’s powerful intercession. In 1809, Pope Pius VII was taken prisoner by Napoleon and held for five years. During his captivity, the Pope asked Catholics everywhere to pray the Rosary for his release. Against all odds, Napoleon was forced to free him. True to his promise, Pope Pius VII instituted the feast of Mary Help of Christians on May 24, a lasting reminder of Mary’s intervention.

The Rosary: A Prayer of Trust

The Rosary is more than repetition; it is a prayer of trust. The Memorare, often recited at the end of the Rosary, is a testament to this trust. Its wide popularity came from Father Claude Bernard in the 17th century, who credited the prayer with his own healing and spread it across Europe by distributing thousands of copies.

A Mother’s Embrace

Every October, the Church renews its devotion to Mary through the Rosary. It is a reminder that in turning to her, we are never alone. Like any loving mother, she guides, protects, and prays for her children.

As we place our trust in her this month, let us echo the prayer of countless believers:

“O Mary, Great Lady of the Rosary, grant that our trust in you may lead us safely to Christ, and one day, to the joy of Heaven.”

(Ladislaus Louis D’Souza, a member of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), currently serves as Copy Editor at ST PAULS / Better Yourself Books, Mumbai.)