Saint Pius V established this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto—a victory attributed to the praying of the rosary. Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716.
The development of the rosary has a long history. First a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Marys. Soon a mystery of Jesus’ life was attached to each Hail Mary. Though Mary’s giving of the rosary to Saint Dominic is recognized as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of Saint Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as “the apostle of the rosary.” He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century, the rosary was developed to its present form—with the 15 mysteries: joyful, sorrowful and glorious. In 2002, Pope John Paul II added the five Mysteries of Light to this devotion.
1007 Our Lady of the Rosary Our Lady of The Rosary Novena
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, in these times of such brazen impiety, show your power with the signs of your former victories. Look with mercy on the Church of your Son, on His Vicar on earth, and on all the clergy and laity, who are sorely oppressed in this mighty conflict. Powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy even though the hour of God’s justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. As I kneel before you in prayer, obtain for me my requests
(Mention your request here…)
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Novena Prayer
My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: (Mention your request).
I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.
I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
Amen.
To Our Lady of the Rosary
O Virgin Mary, grant that the recitation of thy Rosary may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy fifteen mysteries may form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory, my imagination, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work, without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication, or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the Holy Rosary, through Saint Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the faithful imitator of thy virtues.
Amen.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY
The second victory that I beg of thee, is a victory over my second enemy—the world, of which the devil is prince. Help me to see its emptiness, to flee its vanities, to resist its allurements, knowing that “the friendship of this world is the enemy of God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world, becometh an enemy of God.”
The third victory that I beg of thee, is a victory over my third enemy—my own self, scarred and weakened by Original Sin. Help me correct my values so that I may seek first the kingdom of God and love Him with my whole heart, mind, soul and strength. Plant in my mind and heart a great appreciation and desire for the spiritual things in life; and to treasure them above any treasures of this earth. Assist me in all my temptations; instruct me in all virtues; help me pay for my past sins; remove me from the broad, wide road that leads to perdition and guide me along the narrow path that leads to Heaven.
The fourth victory that I beg of thee, is a victory for Holy Mother Church over the diseases currently ravaging the Mystical Body of Christ, namely those of Liberalism, Modernism, Indifferentism, Secularism, Materialism and that terrible state, which God threatens to vomit out of His mouth—Lukewarmness (Apoc. 3:16). Such is the state of the Church, which made thee complain at Fatima that so many souls go to Hell as there are none who pray and offer sacrifices for them. Grant that I may not forget these souls and these diseases in my daily Rosaries, for God has stated that the Rosary is a remedy for our age, and I am confident of obtaining thy powerful intercession on their behalf.
The fifth victory that I beg of thee, is a victory over all evil, and the crown of glory in Heaven, for all my family, relatives, friends and benefactors; for those entrusted to my care and for those in charge over me. Obtain for them the graces and helps necessary to overcome all obstacles to conversion, repentance and salvation.
For this end, do I consecrate to thee, O Queen of the most Holy Rosary, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of me and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.
Amen.
PRAYER TO THE MOST POWERFUL VIRGIN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
Virgin most powerful, loving helper of the Christian people, how great is the thanks we owe to thee, for the assistance thou hast given our fathers, who invoked thy maternal help, by the devout recitation of thy Rosary, when they were threatened by the Turkish infidels! From heaven, thou didst see their deadly peril. Thou didst hear their voices imploring thy compassion. Their humble prayers, enjoined by the great Pope, Saint Pius V, were acceptable to thee, and thou didst come quickly to deliver them. Grant, dear Mother, that, in like manner, the prolonged sigh of the Holy Bride of Christ, in these our days, may reach thy throne and win thy pity. Be moved to compassion and rise, once again, to deliver Her from the many foes who surround Her on every side.
Even now, from the four quarters of the earth, there arises to thy throne, the prayer of the Rosary, to beg thy mercy in these troubled times. Unfortunately, our sins hinder, or at least retard, their effect. Wherefore, dear Mother, obtain for us true sorrow for our sins and a firm resolution to face death, rather than return to our former sins. It grieves us that, through our own fault, thy help, which we need so desperately, should be denied, or come too late.
Turn to us, O Mary, and graciously listen to the prayers of the whole Catholic world; conquer the pride of those wicked men, who, in their insolence, blaspheme Almighty God and would destroy His Church, against which, according to the infallible words of Christ, the gates of hell shall never prevail. Let it be seen, once more, that when thou arisest to protect the Church, Her victory is sure.
Amen.
PRAYER TO THE QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and tender Mother of all people, I consecrate myself to your Immaculate Heart, and recommend to you my family, my country, and the whole human race. Please accept my consecration, dearest Mother, and use me as you wish, to accomplish your designs upon the world. O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and earth, rule over me, and teach me how to allow the Heart of Jesus to rule and triumph in me and around me, as it has ruled and triumphed in you.
Amen.
