Did you know that each month has a traditional Catholic devotion? This year, let’s focus on each devotion month-by-month to grow in our faith and traditions! Make yourself notes, write it on your calendar, and pray a specific prayer each day of the month to remember. You could use a prayer already associated with the devotion or pray a personal one.
When we were cleaning my grandmother’s house, we found rosaries everywhere. Rosaries were hidden, lost, or just purposefully put in the kitchen, inside clocks, in the bathroom, behind drawers, in special boxes in special places, her bedside—everywhere! It was like she was trying to tell us that when we miss her, when we are sad, when we feel lonely, or when we need help making it through the day with a mother’s heart, we should pick up a rosary.
October is another month dedicated to Mary! Why so much concentration on Mother Mary? Because looking at Mary is seeing God in her. It’s like when you see a very kind and holy person, but you realize you aren’t looking at them so much as experiencing God’s love for you through them.
That’s Mary! Her fiat, her purpose, and her love for us and our love for her is all about God. This month that love is focused on the Holy Rosary. Through the Holy Rosary, we meditate on God’s Word. The Gospel becomes embedded in our hearts, and Mary holds our hand to Jesus Christ.
Touching rosary beads as you pray helps engage your body in prayer, too. Genuflecting, kneeling, and positioning your hands in prayer, physical actions help you focus and engage your entire self. Engaging your body will help you focus, but if you still struggle, you’re in St. There’s company.
Just keep trying! Maybe listening to the rosary will help you. There are many videos online.
Endorsed by countless saints and passed down from our ancestors, the Holy Rosary is waiting for you to guide you closer to God.
October Reflection Questions For Catholics
1. How do you pray the rosary? With Scripture? With special added prayers? There are many different ways to personalize the rosary.
2. Which mysteries of the Gospel mean the most to your spiritual life this month? Luminous? https://catholic-link.org/luminous-5-works-art-pray-rosary/ Sorrowful? https://catholic-link.org/jesus-passion-sacred-art-sorrowful-mysteries-rosary/ Joyful? https://catholic-link.org/5-feminine-virtues-mary-annunciation/ Glorious? https://catholic-link.org/art-glorious-mysteries-rosary/
3. How can you remove any obstacles that are between you and a daily rosary?
4. Would you be willing to lead the rosary at your parish before or after Mass?
5. How do you share the rosary with others, even non-Catholics?
October’s Challenge for Catholics
Are you ready? This is a big one! Your challenge for the month of October is to pray the rosary every single day. If you miss a day, don’t give up. Pick it up the next day. You will understand the power of prayer, intercession, the Gospel, and God’s love more and more each day.
If you need a rosary companion, imagine a saint with you on their feast day.
October’s Catholic Feast Days
October 1: St. Therese of the Child Jesus
October 2: Guardian Angels
October 4: St. Francis of Assisi
October 5: St. Faustina