Our Lady of the Rosary (Our Lady of Victory)

 

Van Dyck, the Madonna of the Rosary

History buffs (especially military history buffs) know that there are certain battles which are turning points that shape the course of a nation's history, or even the world's.  For example, some historians consider the Battle of Stalingrad or the Battle of Dunkirk the turning point of World War II.

It is much the same for the presence of Christianity in the world, in a centuries-long tug of war between Christian nations and their enemies, including at many times some of the Muslim empires.  

One battle that was decisive in the history of Christendom took place in the late 16th century, when the Ottoman Empire and their seemingly unstoppable Navy sought to advance into Europe.  The Battle of Lepanto in which that effort was stymied is one of the most important military events shaping the Christian faith -- so much so that Pope St. Pius V declared the date of this battle a feast day for the universal Church.

On the millitary side, it was one of the largest naval battles in history.  On the spiritual side, the Church recognizes how critical the role of Our Lady and her Rosary have been -- as the Pope ordered civilians and Navy Men alike to pray though her intercession for their protection.

As a result, the feast day (October 7th) has alternately been known as Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Victory.

The link above from Wikipedia gives great background reading about that battle. 

Veronese, the Battle of Lepanto




Popular posts from this blog

Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Image
  Last year brought our nation countless acts of destruction and violence,with many people harmed and killed in riots and protests resulting from the death of George Floyd and related activism.  This year is starting out no better, as political activists have violently broken into the nation's Capitol building today in an apparent protest of vote counting for the recent presidential election.   There are reports now of one woman shot and at least injured in that melee.  Please pray to Our Lady, Queen of Peace, that as a nation we will be able to resolve our deep political divisions without resorting to violence and the destruction of life.  
Read more

New priests' ordination video

Image
The Archdiocese has recently published a very good 3-minute video of the ordination of three new priests for service to the Archdiocese. You will hear snippets from Archbishop's Schnurr homily and see a few scenes from that ordination Mass.  There are many powerful symbols in that ordination ceremony, including the men about to be ordained priests lying prostrate (on the ground, face down) before the altar, symbolizing that they are dying to themselves as they become "another Christ." In the photo above, after the bishop consecrates the men with prayer and laying on of hands, all of the other priests concelebrating the Mass also lay hands on them, showing that they now share in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, the great High Priest. You may recognize Fr. Christopher Komoroski.  He was at our South Clermont parishes several weeks when he was still a deacon, to practice his preaching. I had the privilege of "vesting" Fr. Andrew Reckers (helping him put on his
Read more