I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
Throughout history, there have been countless stories of miraculous events that can be explained by none other than devotion to the holy rosary. Stories of hard fought military battles are some of the most profound. One such event took place in 1571 in a bloody battle between the Turkish Navy and the Christians (made up of an alliance of fleets between Spain and Italy). The Muslim force (Turkish Navy) was threatening take over of the Mediterranean Sea, which would position them to take over European Countries. Given that the Turkish forces far outnumbered the Christians in both bodies and military defense weapons, a defeat seemed impossible.
If we to go back to 1569, we learn that the Vatican urged the Rosary for universal use, gaining widespread devotion.
On the eve of the battle, Pope Pius V asked the Christian faithful to pray the Rosary and ask the Blessed Mother for her intercession in defeating the Muslim Navy. Despite being outnumbered, the Christian fleet prevailed. As a result, Pope Pius named October 7th as the feast of Our Lady of Victory, later changed to Our Lady of the Rosary by Pope Gregory X111 in 1573.
I was fortunate to grow up in a family that prayed the Rosary together. My 86 year old father continues his daily devotion, with the face of Christ worn smooth on the crucifix of his beads. Growing up, I had a front row seat to the seemingly unexplainable events that took place. I can now be certain that through my parents’ devotion to the Rosary, my brother survived a motorcycle accident, which landed him head first on concrete. My parents prayed the Rosary as they watched the helicopter land on the roof of University Hospital. That brother went on to attend law school and is now an attorney. I can also be certain that it is because of the Rosary that my sister, who tragically lost her husband at the age of 30, pregnant and near delivery with their second child, was provided with an enormous amount of strength and grace to endure the task of single motherhood. She has raised two incredible children, both of whom are happy, healthy and exceptionally fine young adults.
I could give countless more examples like these. The Mother of God is faithful. If she makes a promise, she keeps it! Enlist the powerful protection of Our Lady for your families by praying the Holy Rosary and experience the profound graces with which it comes.
