His Lordship, John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate in Ghana’s Eastern Region, has lamented the situation where some people, especially non-Catholics, consider the Rosary to be something outdated and pray the Rosary as a waste of time or a foolish practice.
To him, such an attitude is “rather sad and very unfortunate”. He made this lamentation in a homily during the October 4, 2025, anticipated Mass of the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, at the Holy Rosary Sisters Convent, Asikasu, Kwahu Afram Plains North. It was the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Holy Rosary Sisters’ Presence in Ghana.
The Chief Shepherd traced the origin of the Rosary to a revelation in a vision by Our Lady to St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order, or the Order of Preachers.
He noted that it was through the Dominicans that devotion to the Rosary spread through Northern France and to the rest of Europe. He further declared that Pope Leo X accorded the Rosary official approbation in 1520 and declared October the month of the Holy Rosary.
Reflecting further on how the Feast of the Holy Rosary came to be established on 7th October, the prelate underscored that it was Pope St. Pius V, who instituted this Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary to gratefully commemorate Mary’s role in the victory of Europe over the Turks in the great naval battle of Lepanto, fought on October 7, 1571, which saved Christianity.
“The Feast was so called in keeping with the fact that the victory was basically the fruit of the Rosary,” he opined, sharing the popular belief that the Christians won the battle because of the help of Mary, whom they invoked by praying the Rosary.
The Rosary, according to the Local Ordinary, constitutes a profession of faith and tribute to the Holy Trinity. It is a prayer that gives hope, trust, and confidence to all who pray it with reverence and devotion. The Rosary touches the heart of believers and enkindles in them the spirit of charity. It is a real source of comfort in times of trials. It provides us with the strength to stand firm in moments of temptation. And it is a powerful aid in every form of need.
To Bishop Asiedu, contemplating the mysteries of Christ in the Rosary “leads us into the mystery of our own life. What is more, the Rosary describes the joys and sorrows of life and assures us of eternal glory. In our faithful devotion to the Rosary, we find help and consolation from the experiences of Jesus and Mary to nourish our faith and commitment in our specific vocation”.
By Fr. Matthew Akakpo // Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM-AVD)
Source: newswatchgh.com
