Video Transcript

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When I was a boy, Sister Veronica told my catechism class that God’s weapon for peace was the Rosary — and I was fascinated! Here I was, a kid ready to do something heroic for Christ and already confident in the powerful intercession of His Blessed Mother. So, I eagerly accepted Sister’s invitation to take up this spiritual weapon every day to contribute to peace in the world and in every human heart.

As Pope Pius XI said,

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin. … If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors”.

As you may recall, about two months ago I invited you to join me in praying the rosary each day for our nation. What a blessing this has been for all of us in the Diocese of Phoenix! As we conclude the 54-day novena this week, I am grateful for all of you who joined us in this prayerful effort to contribute to peace in the world and in every human heart. To mark the end of this special period of prayer, please join us on Friday, October 23, for a special liturgy live streamed from Nazareth House, our seminary house of formation.

But praying the Rosary doesn’t have to end there! As those who do so on a regular basis will tell you, the Rosary helps us to center our hearts on Christ. When we pray the Rosary, we place ourselves beside Mary as she watches over her Son’s Mystical Body the Church in a way similar to how she watched over Jesus as He grew in age and wisdom in Nazareth. With Mary’s help, we contemplate the varied mysteries of Jesus’ life: the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious. By means of these mysteries, Jesus conquered sin and reconciled the world to Himself. He made Himself our Peace.

When God chose Mary to be the Mother of His Beloved Son, He called her to engage in continuous conflict with Satan and, at the same time, assured her of His victory. One of the primary ways that Christ comes to our aid is through the intercession and messages of His Blessed Mother. This is why we pray with confidence to Mary in the “Memorare”: “… never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided.”

When we pray the Rosary and spend time in the presence of Jesus and Mary, we grow in freedom from selfishness and become freer for the worship of God and love of our neighbor. Then, we experience the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy,

“Through His holy Prophets He promised of old that He would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us … free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life.”

While struggling against constant attacks by the Evil One, we look with hope to the Redemptive suffering and death of Jesus, and find ready assistance in the intercession of His Beloved Mother.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Jesus, we trust in You.

And may Almighty God bless you: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.