Immediately preceding the first of May, the Church celebrates the feast of a 16th-century pope whose memorial is particularly well-situated in such close proximity to a month dedicated to Mary.
Although he is venerated for his tireless charity, his firm opposition to heresy, and his balanced implementation of the Council of Trent, Pope Saint Pius V is best remembered for exhorting the Church to pray the Rosary during the 1571 Battle of Lepanto. The battle was a decisive victory for Christian Europe against the advancing Ottoman Empire, and Pope Saint Pius V attributed the success of his outnumbered fleet to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Although the world has changed dramatically since 1571, the Church relies on the same methods to confront the challenges of the 21st century. The Rosary, the simple prayer beloved by popes and children alike, is the Church’s unfailing weapon of peace. To pray the Rosary is to place our trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary instead of physical arms or even scientific or political advancements. These have their place, but it is necessary for us to recognize that true peace, healing, and restoration come from God—and God has chosen Mary as the faithful, tender channel by which He communicates His graces to the world.
During this month of May, Pope Francis has called the Church to make a special plea to the Blessed Mother once again. This time, we pray for healing from the effects of COVID-19. Each day, at a different shrine around the world, the faithful are gathering for the Rosary and the prayer is broadcast live. There is also a specific intention assigned to each day.
The initiative, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization at the request of Pope Francis, began on May 1 with a Rosary in the Gregorian Chapel of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
A liturgical guide, including the list of shrines and intentions, is available on the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization’s website.
Pope Saint John Paul II wrote in his encyclical on the Rosary,
“Insistent prayer to the Mother of God is based on confidence that her maternal intercession can obtain all things from the heart of her Son,” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 16).
For this reason, let us entrust ourselves to Mary—now and forever.
