It's October!

 

October has been dedicated as the month of the Holy Rosary by Pope Leo XIII in 1883. He obviously thought the rosary is a very important thing and wanted to encourage us Catholics to pray it. Why October? The Battle of Lepanto occurred on October 7, 1571, when the Catholics won against the Ottoman Turks because they all prayed the rosary and asked Mary for her intercession. When Pope Leo dedicated this month to the rosary, it was in memory of this spectacular battle.

For more information about the Battle of Lepanto, just keep reading this blog and there will be a separate article so you can read all about it. 

 

October is also Respect Life Month. This year’s theme is “Faith Opens our Eyes to Human Life in all its Grandeur and Beauty.” Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities Cardinal Daniel DiNardo quoted Pope Benedict in an address he made concerning this month being set aside for respecting life. “If we want peace, let us defend life,” 

our Holy Father proclaimed.

 

Our beloved Blessed Pope John Paul II said this about respecting life: "Nowadays, in America as elsewhere in the world, a model of society appears to be emerging in which the powerful predominate, setting aside and even eliminating the powerless: I am thinking here of unborn children, helpless victims of abortion; the elderly and incurably ill, subjected at times to euthanasia; and the many other people relegated to the margins of society by consumerism and materialism. ... This model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel message. Faced with this distressing reality, the Church community intends to commit itself all the more to the defense of the culture of life."

 

So during this incredible month of October, I encourage you to pray the rosary. And as you keep in mind just how beautiful life is, pray for all those whose lives are being threatened.