Introduction

Even today, October is, for all believers, the month of the Rosary, “a unique contemplative prayer through which, guided by the Lord’s heavenly Mother, we fix our gaze on the face of the Redeemer, so as to be conformed to his mystery of joy, light, sorrow, and glory” (Benedict XVI). The Rosary, in fact, is nourished by Sacred Scripture and revolves around the mystery of Christ. 
But why is October the month of the Rosary? What is the origin of this powerful prayer? How is it prayed?

The devotion of the month of October dedicated to the Rosary

The reasons for this devotion are linked to historical events. The desire to extend the celebration of the Rosary prayer to an entire month arose chiefly from the great prominence it gained after the Battle of Lepanto (October 7, 1571), won, according to Saint Pius V, through the intercession of Our Lady invoked through the Rosary. According to tradition, the Pope ordered the bells to be rung in celebration of victory even before news of the battle’s outcome reached Rome. Following this, Pius V introduced the feast of Our Lady of Victory into the liturgical calendar. His successor, Pope Gregory XIII, changed it to Our Lady of the Rosary. 
Devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary spread even further with the apparitions at Lourdes in 1858. It was on the occasion of these apparitions that Our Lady recommended this devotional practice.
Although less well known, it is also important to remember the battle of July 31, 1646, in which the Catholic fleet of the Philippines fought against the Dutch. In this case too, the victory, which secured civil and religious freedom for the Philippines, is attributed to the special protection of the Mother of God invoked through the Holy Rosary.
Moreover, the devotion of the month of October in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary is also due to the zeal of the Spanish Dominican friar Father Giuseppe Moran (+ 1884). He asked the Spanish bishops to establish this devotion in cathedral churches and parishes so that the Rosary would become a powerful means of evangelization through meditation on the principal mysteries of Christ’s life.
After Spain, this devotion also spread to France and Italy, to such an extent that Leo XIII recommended it to the universal Church in 1883.

What is the origin of the Rosary?

The word “rosary” derives from a medieval custom of placing a crown of roses on statues of the Virgin; these roses symbolized the “beautiful” and “fragrant” prayers addressed to Mary.
Thus arose the idea of using a necklace of beads (the crown) to guide meditation. In the 13th century, Cistercian monks developed, based on this necklace, a new prayer that they called the Rosary, since they compared it to a crown of mystical roses offered to the Virgin. This devotion was popularized by Saint Dominic. In 1214, while he was praying for divine help against the widespread heresy, the Madonna herself appeared to him, giving him a powerful instrument of prayer, the Rosary, as a means of converting nonbelievers and sinners.

What is the structure of the Rosary?

The Rosary consists of twenty “mysteries” (events, significant moments) from the lives of Jesus and Mary, divided, following Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, into four groups or mysteries.

JOYFUL MYSTERIES (or of JOY) - to be recited on Monday and Saturday
1- The Annunciation of the Angel to the Virgin Mary.
2- The visit of the Virgin Mary to Saint Elizabeth.
3- The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
4- The presentation of Jesus in the temple
5- The finding of Jesus in the temple.

2. LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (or of LIGHT) - to be recited on Thursday
1- The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
2- The first sign of Jesus at the wedding at Cana
3- The proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
4- The Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor.
5- The institution of the Eucharist.

3. SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (or of SORROW) - to be recited on Tuesday and Friday
1- The agony of Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
2- The scourging of Jesus at the pillar.
3‐ The crowning with thorns.
4‐ Jesus' journey toward Calvary, carrying the cross.
5‐ The Crucifixion and death of Jesus.

4. GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (or of GLORY) – to be prayed on Wednesday and Sunday:
1‐ The Resurrection of Jesus.
2‐ The Ascension of Jesus into heaven.
3‐ The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the apostles.
4‐ The Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
5‐ The crowning of the Virgin Mary as Queen of heaven and earth.

How is the Rosary prayed?

• Make the sign of the cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
• Invoke the Holy Spirit.
• Take the Rosary beads in your hand and pray as follows:

A – Creed

B – Our Father

C – Hail Mary for faith
Hail Mary for hope
Hail Mary for charity

D – Glory be to the Father

E – Announcement of the mystery
Our Father

F – Hail Mary
At the end of the tenth Hail Mary: O Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

G – Announcement of the mystery
Our Father

• At the end of the Rosary, the Litany of Loreto or other prayers are recited. 

Conclusion

By praying the Rosary, we contemplate the mysteries of Christ and invoke his intercession for the needs of the Church and the world; we look to Mary as a shining star for our journey, as a model of virtue to inspire us to live our lives to the fullest.
During this month of October, let us spend at least half an hour of our day in communion with our Mother, praying the Rosary alone, with our families, and in our parishes. Let us pray the Rosary with our hearts, as all the saints did, and we will feel its beneficial effects. Let us pray the Rosary for peace in all lands wounded by war.

Have you ever experienced the beauty of praying the Rosary?
Write it in the comments!