Why does the Catholic Church dedicate October to Mary?

October is the month of Mary because it is a time when the Church encourages devotion and prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This tradition October is traditionally dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in many cultures and religions around the world., the mother of Jesus, in many cultures and religions around the world. has been longstanding and is deeply rooted in popular devotion. It is a time when parishes and families celebrate with various liturgical, catechetical, and pastoral initiatives to honour and show devotion to Mary.

October is a month when the Church specifically invokes Mary through the prayer of the Rosary. The Rosary is a simple and repetitive prayer that draws us into the mysteries of Christ and His and our Mother, and it is known to be pleasing to Our Lady. Therefore, October is a fitting time to intensify our prayer with Mary, especially during the more difficult moments of our earthly journey.

Furthermore, October holds special significance in relation to the Marian feasts celebrated during this month. On October 11th, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Divine Motherhood of Mary, a feast introduced by Pope Pius XI in 1931 to commemorate the 15th centenary of the Council of Ephesus3. This feast highlights the unique role of Mary as the Mother of God and emphasizes her singular dignity in the mystery of salvation3.

Moreover, October 7th is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, which commemorates the victory of the Christian fleet over the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary1. This feast reminds us of the powerful intercession of Mary and the importance of praying the Rosary for peace and protection.

In summary, October is the month of Mary because it is a time when the Church encourages devotion and prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a month filled with various initiatives to honor Mary, particularly through the prayer of the Rosary. Additionally, the celebration of the Solemnity of the Divine Motherhood of Mary and the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary during October further emphasize the significance of this month in honoring and praying to Mary13.

References

General Audience of 1 May 2002 2

3 October 2004: Beatification of five Servants of God 7

31 December 2008, Vespers and Te Deum