Our Patron
The title, “Our Lady of Victory” was created by Pope Saint. Pius V (1504-1572) to commemorate the naval victory of the Holy League over the Ottoman Turks on October 7, 1571. On the eve of the battle, Pope Saint Pius feared that the Christian forces were greatly outnumbered by the Islamic forces. Saint Pius begged the faithful to storm heaven with the recitation of the rosary, asking Our Lady to obtain what seemed an impossible task, the turning back of the Turkish forces seemingly destined to conquer Western Europe. Historians tell us that the unexpected victory at Lepanto served as a turning point in the struggle of Christian nations with the East. The Ottoman Turks never were able to recreate the naval prowess they once exercised. They were prevented from dominating the Western Mediterranean and having access to the Atlantic Ocean and the New World.
The Feast of Our Lady of Victory was instituted by Pope Saint Pius V. In 1573, the year after Pope Saint Pius died, his successor, Pope Gregory XIII changed the name of the Feast to that of Our Lady of the Rosary and ordered that it be celebrated on the first Sunday in the Month of October. The Feast was later set on October 7. As you may recall, the title seems to have gone back and forth between that of Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary for the past four centuries until it was finally set in the liturgical calendar produced in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. In the edition of the Roman Missal that we currently use, October 7 is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. But one never knows what the next four hundred years may bring!
The Feast of Our Lady of Victory was instituted by Pope Saint Pius V. In 1573, the year after Pope Saint Pius died, his successor, Pope Gregory XIII changed the name of the Feast to that of Our Lady of the Rosary and ordered that it be celebrated on the first Sunday in the Month of October. The Feast was later set on October 7. As you may recall, the title seems to have gone back and forth between that of Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary for the past four centuries until it was finally set in the liturgical calendar produced in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. In the edition of the Roman Missal that we currently use, October 7 is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. But one never knows what the next four hundred years may bring!
