Reflections on the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary (Bro Martin Arlando)

Today the Church commemorates the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. This was established for the purpose of thanking God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto. A victory attributed to the praying of the rosary. I believe that this victory would not have been achieved if not by their persistent faith in praying the rosary. How?

It is like this messenger who came to an old castle and knocked with the huge iron knocker. But there was no answer. He tried again, only a hollow echo was heard. But he knew there people at home because he had seen them in the window. So he continued to bang away the iron knocker for at least 20 to 30 times. Then there was a slow and soft answer. A lady with wrinkled face popped out and enquired whether the man wanted to come in. He was angry and replied, "Surely anyone who has knocked as I did would want to come in?" "Well you see?", said the old lady, "Please don't get angry. There are so many children around here who came up, bang the door a few times and then scamper off. So we have learned not to pay attention to them. But when I heard your knock, I really felt that you wanted to come in?"


The praying of 150 Hail Marys has just that. It is the same attitude of persistency and perseverance in praying the rosary that evokes within us to contemplate deeper the mysteries of God, the mysteries of our salvation. We can sense that Jesus and Mary are with us in joys and sorrows of our life. We pray today that we may grow in hope that God will bring us to share in the glory of Jesus and Mary forever.

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Stay tuned for the next post by Bro Aloysius Tan on 09th Oct 2009.