Dear friends, October is the month which the Catholic Church dedicates to the Holy Rosary, a devotion which Our Lady loves most and have asked us to pray frequently, and if possible, daily, in her apparitions to various saints: St. Dominic de Guzman, Blessed Alan de la Roche, St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, to Blessed Jacinta, Blessed Francisco and Sor Lucia in Fatima, St. Louis de Montfort…It is a Marian devotion which several Popes throughout these centuries have endorsed and encouraged the Catholic faithful to pray as a manifestation of our filial trust and love for our Mother Mary, the Mother of God, convinced of the powerful intercession which Our Lady, as the Mother of God, has in front of the Blessed Trinity.
Our Lady asked us to pray the Holy Rosary for the CONVERSION OF SINNERS and IN REPARATION FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD on many occasions, and this we would gladly do; but, at the same time, I encourage you to ask her as well −aside from our PERSONAL INTENTIONS−, for the CHURCH’S PROTECTION FROM THE DEVIL, for the FRUITS OF SYNOD FOR THE YOUTH which will begin this month; for PEACE in the world; for all those who are SUFFERING in this world due to war, terrorism, persecution, illness, poverty, injustices, unemployment etc.; and, for the HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY.
By doing so, we will be pleasing Our Lady, who like every mother, wants to have her children close by and ask her favors; and, as any mother, would like to hear loving and affectionate words from her children, which we do every time we say the “Hail Mary”, which is offering a flower to her everytime we say the prayer most pleasing to her ears.
Let us not forget what St. Josemaria said:
“The beginning of the way, at the end of which you will find yourself completely carried away with love for Jesus, is a trusting love for Mary. Do you want to love our Lady? Well, then, get to know her. How? By praying her Rosary well.”
“Today as in other times the Rosary must be a powerful weapon to enable us to win in our interior struggle and to help all souls. Exalt holy Mary with your tongue: God asks you for reparation, and for praise from your lips. May you always want to know how to spread peace and happiness throughout the world, through this beautiful devotion to our Lady, and through your watchful love.” (St. Josemaria, “Holy Rosary,” Preface and Note).”
“Develop a lively devotion for Our Mother.
She knows how to respond in a most sensitive way to the presents we give her. What is more, if you say the Holy Rosary every day, with a spirit of faith and love, Our Lady will make sure she leads you very far along her Son’s path? (St. Josemaria, “The Furrow,” n. 691)
Mother Mary,
Mother of the Church,
Queen of families,
Queen of Peace:
through your loving
maternal intercession,
may we get closer to God,
may we fall in love
more with Jesus,
may we help a lot of souls
during this month of
October by praying
the Holy Rosary daily.
Queen of the Holy Rosary,
pray for us!
AUDIO CREDIT AND SOURCE: “Ave Maria” (Morten Lauridsen) sung by the world famous, Philippine Madrigal Singers at Castelfranco, Emilia, Chiesa di San Giacomo on Sept. 10, 2012, video recorded video by Sergio Pigo, in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrUVQu5GsJI
The Philippine Madrigal Singers is a world-renowned choir which throughout these decades has garnered top prizes in the most prestigious international choral competitions. Recently, it won the Grand Prix prize at the 2016 Arezzo International Choral Competition, giving them the right to participate in the prestigious European Grand Prix -which they have already won twice in 1997 and 2007 being the first choir to achieve such feat-, to be held in Tolosa, Spain next year.
Its choirmaster is Mark Anthony Carpio, a world-renowned choirmaster, and personal friend as well. He gave me the permission to use the track for this video. Thanks a lot, Mark! And more power to all of the Philippine Madrigal Singers!
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