In January 2023, the FBI released its controversial “anti-Catholic” memorandum, which cited an article from The Atlantic suggesting that radical traditionalist Catholics were using the rosary as a sign of violence. The irony is that the rosary is a sign of violence—but not in the way the memo implied. The rosary is a weapon of spiritual violence, wielded against the powers of darkness and the evil principalities of this world.
One of the most memorable talks I’ve heard on this subject came during the October 2023 NCM Great Plains/Great Lakes chapter retreat at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Our group happened upon a Norbertine Father giving a talk on Mary and the rosary. He explained how, in the Middle Ages, knights would present a rose to their queen before entering battle. In a similar way, we offer our Queen, the Blessed Virgin Mary, a spiritual bouquet through the rosary before engaging in the daily battles of faith. His advice was simple but profound: pray the rosary daily to receive the strength needed to face temptations and trials in today’s secularized culture.
History also testifies to the power of the rosary. A striking example is the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when the vastly outnumbered Christian forces of the Holy League faced the Ottoman Turks. In response, Pope St. Pius V called upon all the faithful to pray the rosary for victory. Against all odds, the Christian fleet prevailed—a triumph credited to Mary’s intercession. To commemorate this miracle, the Feast of Our Lady of Victory (now the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary) was established and is still celebrated on October 7.
The rosary’s power is not confined to history. It remains a vital source of strength for the Church and for individual Catholics today. Recently, Pope Leo called for all Catholics to pray a daily rosary in October for peace in war-torn lands. In a world torn by hatred, violence, and division, this is no small thing. On a personal level, the rosary arms us against daily temptations, anchoring our hearts and minds in Christ through His Blessed Mother.
Without the rosary, our spiritual defenses weaken, leaving us vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. With it, we carry a weapon far stronger than any earthly sword. Let us never forget: the rosary is meant to be prayed, not displayed. It is not a symbol of earthly violence, but a weapon for spiritual battle.
