- “I encourage members of the faithful to visit their local grotto or shrine to Our Lady during the month of the Rosary” – Archbishop Eamon Martin
The month of October is traditionally dedicated to the Rosary. Archbishop Eamon Martin is inviting members of the faithful to follow the call of Pope Francis and to pray the Holy Rosary every day during this month of October.
Speaking from Rome, where he is attending the Synod on Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment, Archbishop Eamon said: “Tomorrow, Sunday, is the Feast of the Holy Rosary. In Ireland we have a long tradition and devotion to praying the Rosary in our families. It is a beautiful prayer but there are often misconceptions about the Rosary because it is quite repetitive. In every decade of the Rosary we contemplate a different aspect of the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. I always encourage people to place themselves into the scene of the particular decade as you pray, imagining the feeling and emotions that Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and others experienced during the actual events highlighting Our Lord’s ministry.
“Also tomorrow, thousands of people in Ireland will gather on our coasts and along our borders to pray the Rosary for life and faith. Together we are calling on God, through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, to heal our wounded nation and inspire our faith.
“Some people offer particular intentions before each decade to ask Our Lady to grant a favour, to heal a sick person or convert a sinner, to help and guide in times of trouble, illness, financial difficulties, seeking employment or to ask for her help when studying for exams. Intentions are as varied as the people who pray. Our Lady loves the prayer of the Rosary. She wants to hear and grant our petitions and requests.
“Especially in this month of the Holy Rosary, we can join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking Our Lady and Saint Michael the Archangel to protect the Church from the devil and in the struggle against evil. I encourage members of the faithful to visit their local grotto or shrine to Our Lady during the month of the Rosary”.
This year the Holy Father Pope Francis has asked that the Rosary be concluded with two prayers, the ancient Sub tuum praesídium to the Holy Mother of God, and Pope Leo XIII’s prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel. The two prayers are as follows:
We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Saint Michael Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
- From 3 to 28 October Pope Francis is hosting a Synod of Bishops in Rome on the theme: ‘Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment’. Representing the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Synod are Archbishop Eamon Martin and Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
