Welcome to October. This is the month that Catholics celebrate as the month of the rosary. It highlights the special place that that traditional prayer to our Blessed Mother has long held in the Church’s heart, and I hope in our hearts as well.

The history of the origins of the rosary is not completely clear. Some say it was established by St. Dominic. More probably, rather like the earliest years of each one of us, this great prayer had its slow and gradual development that was not totally captured by the memory of the Church. No matter.

What is important is to understand the beauty of the rosary, how it continues to unite us to our Blessed Mother, and what a powerful tool for intercession it has shown itself to be.

Classically, of course, the rosary has centered on three sets of Scriptural moments and truths of the faith: the five Joyful Mysteries, centering around the birth of Jesus, the five Sorrowful Mysteries, focusing on the suffering and death of Jesus, and the five Glorious Mysteries that lead us to meditate on the Resurrection and the enduring glory of Jesus Christ.

Blessed Pope John Paul II added to this tradition the five Luminous Mysteries that remind us of the public ministry of Jesus.

Each of those mysteries, reflected upon while slowly engaging the meditative refrain of one Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s and one Glory Be to the Father, helps us to draw closer to the Scriptures, to Mary’s role in the life of Jesus, and to Jesus’ saving work for the world. In essence, it is a “mini catechism of our faith.”

While the mysteries of the rosary typically center on moments of the life of Christ, they lead us to a greater unity with Mary.

That unity helps us to reflect on Mary in the life of Christ. For example, when Christ stayed in Jerusalem and had to be sought by Mary and Joseph, we can join our sorrows and worries to those of the Mother of God.

While reciting the rosary we can spiritually place ourselves next to Mary when Jesus died on the cross, trying, ourselves, to imagine not only her motherly thoughts but also her spiritual reaction as the sinless and perfect follower of Jesus.

At each moment we are drawn closer to her who was the new Eve and the Mother of the Church. We cannot remain untouched by the contemplation of Mary’s life and example.

The experience of faith has also shown that the recitation of the rosary links us to the powerful intercession of Mary, now assumed body and soul into heaven but still concerned for loving us as our mother.

We all have moments of sorrow or loneliness or disappointment. Share them with Mary as you pray the rosary. Likewise, bring before her the needs of your life or of the world.

During this October, I would like to suggest some particular prayer intentions to keep in mind as you pray the rosary.

First, keep in mind your fellow Christians and Catholics throughout the world. We have recently heard of the persecution and attacks against our fellow believers in Syria and in Pakistan. Elsewhere in the world too, our fellow Christians are under siege and in need of our prayer.

Closer to home, the threats against the nature of marriage, especially through the redefinition of marriage, are real and continuing. Pray for our politicians and our judges, especially those who are Catholics. Ask Mary to guide and protect them, and to keep them from placing political ideologies above the truth of God’s plan for us.

Finally, as you pray the rosary during the month of October, remember to pray for vocations, please. Vocations to the religious life and to the diaconate of course. But most prominently, pray for more and worthy priestly vocations for the Diocese of Rockford.

There is a reason that the rosary has so long endured as a powerful and favorite prayer within the Church. Meditating on the life and thoughts of Mary, turning to her for her guidance and intercession, these will always be a means of strengthening and deepening our faith.

As the leaves change and finally fall to the ground marking the progress of the month of October, use your rosary to mark your own progress. Make it to be a progress that brings you closer to Mary and so, closer to her divine son.