Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, by M.C. Holbrook

The story behind the celebration of Mary under the title “Our Lady of the Rosary” is rather surprising; it is a memorial established in commemoration of the European victory over the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, originally named the feast of “Our Lady of Victory.” Despite the title’s martial origins, the history of the rosary itself far predates the Battle of Lepanto.

Tradition tells us that in 1214, Mary came to St. Dominic in a vison and introduced to him the beads of the rosary and their associated prayers, and devotions to it then spread throughout the world, down through the centuries. However, the origins of the prayers themselves date back even farther—long before Dominic’s birth—even prior to the birth of Jesus himself!…

Continue reading >>>>>>>