October 15, 2023

Traditionally, October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary.  Over the centuries, much has been written in praise of this popular devotion.  When one thinks of a devotional practice in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Rosary immediately comes to mind.  While it does not enjoy the supreme value that the Holy Mass and other liturgical prayer possesses, we can say that the Rosary is a very powerful devotion because it intimately unites us to the life of Jesus Christ as it is joined to the life of Mary. 

St. John Paul II had great respect for the Rosary and encouraged the Christian faithful to avail themselves of the great graces this prayer obtains for those who pray it.  As a testament of his great love for the Rosary, The Holy Father composed an Apostolic Letter in which he, as a means of "bridging the gap" so to speak, of the events of Christ's life between the Joyful and the Sorrowful Mysteries, proposed five new Mysteries of Light that can be said on Thursdays.  These Luminous Mysteries focus our attention and contemplation on the Public Ministry of Jesus and include the following events in Christ's life: The Baptism of Jesus, The Wedding at Cana, Jesus' Proclamation of God's Kingdom, The Transfiguration, and The Institution of the Holy Eucharist.  St. John Paul, the Great stated in his letter that, "This addition of these new mysteries is meant to give the rosary fresh life and to enkindle renewed interested in its place within Christian spirituality."

Here at Assumption, the Rosary is prayed publicly each Sunday after the 11:30 a.m. Mass and after 8:30 a.m. Mass each day.

During October, let's take time to say the Rosary each day.  Our lady promises that it is well worth the effort not only for ourselves, but for the world as well.