October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. This is due to the 1571 Battle of Lepanto when, against overwhelming odds, the Catholics praying the Rosary at the behest of the holy Pope St. Pius V invoked the intercession of the holy Mother of God to save Europe from the Muslim Ottoman Turks that would have given the latter naval dominance that would make possible a conquest of Europe. We have the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, tomorrow, October 7, as a result of the Catholic victory. (Now BLESSED Bishop Fulton Sheen says the Muslims will come to Christ through Our Lady, and especially Our Lady of Fatima—the name of his favorite daughter and the only woman named in the Qur’an other than Mary.) October is an intensely Marian month—like the month of May. Thus, on Saturday, October 10, at Noon, we will have an outdoor Rosary Rally in front of our house (“St. Joseph Friary”). Mass will follow the Rosary Rally—about 12:30 pm, not Noon.
Going back to Wednesday, since it is a First Wednesday, St. Joseph Devotions will follow Mass. These include praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
The Feast of St. Carlo Acutis is Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day). This week we will offer FREE blessed holy cards of the saint so you can have them in time for this feast.
PLEASE consider doing the ROSARY ELECTION PLEDGE for the Midterm Elections. We need to reach 100—and we are almost there! Sister Lucia said the Rosary today has a “new efficacy” by the grace of Our Lady to help us deal with demonic influences. Sister Lucia said “There is no problem that can’t be solved by the Rosary” as it steals souls from Satan and binds & casts out demons. That said, the November 3 elections are fast approaching. Prayer is needed to implore God for leaders who, while certainly not perfect, are the most acceptable to Him. GOD CAN DECIDE. Many of us pray a daily Rosary and some pray one or more throughout the week. I am asking those who pray a daily Rosary to pledge an EXTRA Rosary for elections all across America so God will choose the political candidate most pleasing to Him. (YOU CAN MAKE OTHER PERSONAL PRAYER COMMITMENTS ON YOUR OWN, OF COURSE.) If you do not pray a daily Rosary, please consider praying a daily Rosary (as Our Lady requested at all 6 apparitions at the 1917 apparitions at Fatima) and simply including the elections as one of your intentions. To MAKE YOUR PLEDGE, you need only provide your name—nothing else. Please contact Margaret Williams (cell/text: 315-420-0711 or email: margo0767@yahoo.com) and simply give your name. May we humbly be “One Nation Under God” and so be a blessing to humanity. Little fliers are available with this information at the shrine or could be emailed to you. Do increase your prayer, whatever type of prayer you choose.
To communicate with me, please call/text me at (313) 727-9784 or email me abunacalcio1982@gmail.com. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries