When I think back to my early days as a new member of the Knights of Columbus, I always remember fondly praying a decade of the Rosary each time our chaplain would lead us in an opening prayer. There I was, praying shoulder-to-shoulder with my brother knights. I can remember feeling the presence of Our Lord emanating from the chamber, all the while thinking how right it felt. I still do, in fact, to this day; it’s my most favorite part of a meeting. 
Praying with my brother knights reminds me that one of the most important facets of our organization, the aspect that differentiates us from all other organizations, is our connection to God, our connection to Mother Church – our devotion to precious Jesus and Mary.
Praying the Rosary has tremendous power
The Rosary has the power to change the course of human history. In fact, it has on more than one occasion. The Battle of Lepanto, in October of 1571 for instance, when the Holy League, a coalition of European States, defeated the main fleet of the Ottoman Empire. The victory was credited to the Virgin Mary, and her intersession with God for a victory through the Rosary. Pope Pius V instituted a new Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Victory to commemorate the battle, which is now celebrated as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Blessed Bartolo Longo through the Rosary, converted Pompeii from Satanic influence during the late 1800’s. In 1986, 3.5 million Catholics answered the call of Cardinal Sin on Vatican Radio and prayed the Rosary in the streets of Manila in a confrontation with the military forces and defeated them, peacefully.
October is the “Rosary Month.”
It is the month to return to the Rosary more devoutly. It is a time to come together more often to pray the Rosary – not only as knights, but also as families and as a community. The month of October also calls to mind the inspirational guidance of Pope Leo XIII, known as the “Pope of the Rosary.” He was also particularly responsible for designating October as the “Rosary Month.” In one of his many encyclicals on the Rosary, he wrote:
To this heavenly Mother, we have offered the flowers of the month of May; to her we would also have fruit-bearing October dedicated with a particularly tender devotion. It is fitting that both parts of the year should be consecrated to her…
(Augustissimae Virginis Mariae, Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on the Confraternity of the Rosary, September 12, 1897).
Praying the Rosary
Have I lost a past fervor for praying the Rosary? Could I partake in more Rosaries than I currently do for the present state of the family, the unborn, the poor, the Church and the world? I know I can and I know I should.
Throughout the Rosary Month, I will try to extend a deeper devotion to the Rosary, to make it a fruit-bearing October dedicated to our heavenly Mother. Do you want to change the present course of human history?
Pray the Rosary.
Show your devotion to the Rosary … not only pray the Rosary, wear the Holy Rosary Tee.
