Why October Devotion Not Devotion In October ?

By Dr jarlat Uche opara

Many may have asked in bathed breath the above question. Some with balls may equally have asked it in public. Each day that passes, the mind of humans get more deeply inquisitive over things the mind never thought about interrogating. We are gradually getting into a global era of interrogation, inquisitiveness, subjecting everything to analysis, logic and syllogism.

As the world is growing in technological revolution, the “AI-nization” of everything, same way the mind is getting more punchy and smartly interrogative on things it never bothered about. In this era the bible and its contents have been placed more than ever on the spot light of cerebral debate on the correctness or otherwise of certain biblical stories.

The wave is spreading and some of the held stories of the bible as sacrosanct are today being questioned, interrogated and placed on the scale of logic to see how they would weigh. The truth is, this generation is becoming more aware and wouldn’t probably accept anything until it resonates with their logical reasoning.

In the Catholic tradition, the October devotion is the dedication of the month to the Most Holy Rosary. It is a period for the faithful to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying the rosary, meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life, and seeking Mary’s intercession for intentions like world peace etc.
October devotion started after the Battle of Lepanto . On October 7, 1571, the vastly out-numbered Christian naval fleet defeated the Ottoman Turks in the Battle of Lepanto. Pope St. Pius V, who had asked for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the rosary, attributed the victory to her aid. In thanksgiving, he established the feast of “Our Lady of Victory,” which was later renamed the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary by Pope Clement XI and extended to the universal Church.

Beyond this, In the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, Our Lady also identified herself as “the Lady of the Rosary” and requested that the rosary be prayed daily for world peace. In furtherance to this, Catholics are encouraged in the month of October to participate in special prayers and observances, including daily Rosary.
The Church grants a plenary indulgence to those who devoutly pray the Rosary in the month of October.

The question is, why is it called October devotion not devotion in October?

October devotion points to a specific institutional tradition of Marian prayer in the Catholic Church. It is unique not an all comers’ affairs. It is tailored to specific, focused on a particular religious activities. It is a brand name that easily conveys its meaning, purpose and direction to anybody on face value.

Anytime October devotion or May Devotion is mentioned, what comes to the mind is Catholics unwavering commitment to the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Rosary.

Devotion in October is broader, the focus is on the action of devotion ( Love, loyalty, passion etc) taking place in the month of October which could include Rosary or anything else outside devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary . It refers to any act of prayer, meditation or spiritual observance carried out by anyone during that month.

Though one can pray the Rosary in other months including October but Rosary prayed in the month of October comes with a lot of indulgences. Many minds would interrogate it too. However, faith is here is the basis. According to your faith it works for you.

This is me as a Marian devotee making this clarion call of operation say your Rosary today, this month and always. Rosary beads are not charms and the recitation of them not incantational. Faith is the driving force for its effectiveness and efficaciousness. Rosary prayed not recited as incantation in a perfunctory manner comes with results so profound. Welcome to October devotion day two. From tommorow we shall be looking at the various virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how we can benefit from them. Call it October Devotion Challenge, certainly you won’t be wrong.

Jarlathuche@gmail.com