Acts 1:12-14 / Luke 1:26-38
The story of how the Feast of the Holy Rosary came about is indeed interesting.
Back in 1571, the powerful Ottoman Turks decided to attack Europe from the East.
The stage was set for a decisive naval battle at the Gulf of Lepanto, off the coast of Greece.
A naval victory for the Turks would secure an opening for the Turkish army to overrun Christian Europe.
The pope at that time, Pope Pius V, called for a crusade against the invading Turks.
But at that time, the Church was already weakened by the Protestant Reformation and only a few countries responded.
In fact, the Christian fleet was outnumbered 3:1 and was no match for the mighty Turkish armada.
But Pope Pius V also called for a Rosary crusade to help the Christian forces.
On this day, 7th Oct 1571, the two parties fought and the mighty Turkish armada was miraculously defeated.
It was said that the Christian soldiers fought with swords in one hand and rosaries in the other.
And it can also be said that the battle was won, not with arms but with praying hands.
Indeed the simple, humble and powerful prayers of the Rosary can achieve miracles and work wonders.
Because Mary, the mother of Jesus, the mother of God prays with us when we pray the Rosary.