Prayers & Novenas - October
The Month of October is Dedicated to the Holy Rosary
“Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil,
sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul,
if—and mark well what I say—if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins.”
Saint Louis de Montfort
October Indulgences
During this month, a plenary indulgence may be gained under the usual conditions by reciting five decades of the Rosary in church, as a family at home, or whenever several persons have gathered for good purpose; in other circumstances a partial indulgence may be gained
How to Pray the Rosary
The Rosary has always been a very powerful prayer. It’s a wonderful way to pray and meditate on the Life of Christ. It is a comfort in the midst of sorrow and anxiety. It gives our hearts and minds something else to focus on when things feel scary.
It helps us to see the life of Jesus through Mary’s eyes. Through praying the Rosary, Mary our Mother stays close to us, comforting us – the Help of Christians.
Basically, each decade (10 Hail Marys) corresponds to an event in the life of Jesus and Mary. While we say the 10 Hail Marys we try to think about or imagine the event (called a Mystery); or we might mull over some part of the event – for example we might think about a phrase Jesus uses (such as when, as He is crucified, Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”). We may get distracted – but no matter, we just keep going, using the rhythm of the Hail Marys to keep us on track.
For each rosary there are 50 Hail Mary beads – so there are 5 mysteries for each Rosary. There are 4 series of Mysteries – the Joyful Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries.