Mon, 7 Oct ‘24
XXVII Week in Ordinary Time, Monday
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Memorial
Acts 1:12-14. Luke 1:26-38
Embracing the power of prayer
Today, as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, we are invited to reflect on the central place of prayer in our lives, particularly through the Rosary – a cherished and powerful prayer in the life of the Church. The tradition of the Rosary, attributed to Saint Dominic, has nourished the spiritual life of countless Christians over the centuries. Its role in history, such as in the Battle of Lepanto, highlights the power of prayer in moments of crisis. But beyond such historical moments, the Rosary is a profound expression of faith for each of us in our daily journey.
The word ‘Rosary’ itself is significant. It means ‘garland of roses.’ Just as a garland is a beautiful offering, the Rosary is our offering of prayer to God, through Mary. And like a garland, which has no beginning or end, the Rosary too is a continuous cycle of prayer, drawing us into deeper communion with God. Through its prayers, we meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life—his joys, sorrows, the light of his teachings, and the glory of his resurrection. These mysteries are not just events to be admired from afar; they invite us into participation. When we pray the Rosary, we are drawn into the very heart of these mysteries, walking with Jesus and Mary through the moments that shaped our salvation.
In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we find Mary in prayer, gathered with the apostles in the Upper Room. This is a beautiful image of the Church at prayer. Mary, the Mother of the Church, is united with the apostles, awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Prayer here is not just an individual act but a communal experience, preparing them for the mission ahead. The Rosary too brings us into this communal spirit of prayer, linking us with the Church around the world and throughout history. It reminds us that we are never alone in our prayers.
The gospel reading from Luke brings us to the heart of Mary’s role in the history of salvation: her fiat, her ‘yes’ to God. When the angel Gabriel announces that she will conceive the Son of God, Mary responds with complete surrender: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). This moment of surrender is one of the mysteries we meditate on in the Rosary. Each time we pray the Annunciation, we are invited to reflect on how we, too, are called to say ‘yes’ to God in our lives. Mary’s example teaches us that prayer is not just about speaking to God but about listening, discerning, and surrendering to His will.
Through the regular praying of the Rosary, we experience spiritual fruits. The first fruit is increased faith. As we meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life, we grow in our understanding and belief in the truths of our faith. The second fruit is peace. The rhythmic repetition of the prayers, combined with reflection on the life of Christ, brings a sense of calm and interior peace, even in the midst of life’s challenges. Finally, the Rosary draws us closer to Jesus and Mary. Through Mary’s intercession, we come to know her Son more intimately.
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The ‘pilgrims of hope’ remain steadfast in prayers. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 218)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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