Our Lady of the Rosary Feast is celebrated on October 7th since 1571, date of the victory of Lepante. However, it is certain that Christians prayed Mary at the beginning of Christianity. For example, Sub tuum presidium hymn (Under your protection) is an archaic prayer, where Mary is already named Mother of God: «Under the shelter of your mercy, we take refuge, Mother of God [...] deliver us from the danger, only chaste and blessed ".
The first part of Ave Maria was preceded by a prayer dating at the latest the year 235. This prayer is filled with verses of the Bible and it recognizes Jesus as Christ (Messiah), Redeemer and Son of God.
The current form of Rosary goes back up to saint Dominic (Thirteenth century). Rosary means "crown of roses": 153 white roses (Ave) and 16 red roses (Pater). Rosary allows meditating, with Mary, the main moments of the life of Jesus Christ.
This prayer is simple and possible at any time, because it adapts itself to the time which we have.We can say indeed:
- Single about ten 'Ave Maria': we do at first the sign of the Cross, then we say one 'Our Father', ten 'Ave' and one 'Gloria'.
- Only 5 tens.
- A Rosary of 20 tens, by meditating 4 mysteries (joyful, luminous, painful and glorious).
If Rosary is a prayer to Mary, it is at first a prayer to the Holy Trinity, because Rosary begins with the sign of the Cross and then with Creed. Furthermore, Rosary refers constantly to Bible, because each mystery can be a meditation of a biblical event.
During his apparitions, Mary often had a Rosary in the arm, as to confirm the legitimacy of this prayer.
