Pray the Rosary, Catholics told

By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO

MANILA, Philippines — It’s the month of the Holy Rosary.

Since novenas to the Blessed Virgin Mary are popular during this month, you will probably see more people praying the Rosary in the church.

But have you ever wondered the story behind the powerful prayer beads?

Monsignor Pedro Quitorio III, media director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said: “We don’t know the historical aspect, but tradition has it that it was St. Dominic (de Guzman). It was he who formalized the Rosary. Maybe that’s also the reason why the Dominicans, a Catholic religious order he founded, have a Rosary suspended on top of their robe. I think that symbolizes it.”

The Wikipedia accounts that the Rosary was given to Saint Dominic in an apparition by the Blessed Virgin Mary in the year 1214 in the church of Prouille. The Marian apparition received the title of Our Lady of the Rosary.

But the formal acceptance of the Church, Quitorio said, came much later.

“I think it was during the time of Pope Leo XIII. He is also called the “Rosary Pope”…but even before that. The early Christians already pray the Rosary beads, but the formalization of the three mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious) was attributed to St. Dominic,” he said. It was only in 2002 when Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries.

But Quitorio lamented that not every Filipino Catholic owns a Rosary, but it’s important for the faithful to know not only the story behind the Rosary, but also the importance of praying it.

“Although it’s a Marian prayer, it’s not only about Mary, but it’s also about Christ…it’s really about the work of Christ in saving men.”

“When you pray the Rosary you meditate on the mysteries, you meditate on the whole mystery of salvation,” added Quitorio.

Every October, Catholics give honor to the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary whose liturgical feast is celebrated every October 7.And every October, Catholics join the long, thick “La Naval de Manila” procession starting at the Sto. Domingo Church on Quezon Ave., Quezon City, to celebrate the victory of poorly-equipped Spanish and Filipino naval forces over the heavily armed Dutch fleet in 1636
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