by Mel Christian Verona
“We become powerful when we pray because we are connected with the powerful; and when we are connected with the powerful, we can win our battles.”
This is what Rev. Fr. Dario V. Cabral, the mass presider, emphasized in his homily during the culmination day of the 27th Family Rosary Crusade themed “Inang Maria: Huwaran ng Pamilyang Dominikano sa Paglago at Pagbabahagi ng Biyaya ng Diyos sa Gitna ng Pandemya” which is also the feast day of the Queen of the Holy Rosary, Thursday.
Fr. Cabral explained that praying the rosary is a formula for victory because we are connected to the powerful like what the connected beads of the rosary symbolize.
“Bakit makapangyarihan tayo kapag tayo’y nagdarasal? Dahil nagkakaroon tayo ng kaugnayan sa pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit dinirinig ang ating panalangin, dahil tayo ay may kaugnayan sa tinutukoy natin sa ating panalangin,” (Why do we become powerful when we pray? It's because we are having a connection with the Almighty, that is the reason why He grants our prayers because we have a connection with what we ask for in prayer) he said.
He also shared a historical event when the rosary prayers of the Catholics all throughout the world led to their triumph in a war against the Ottoman Turks in 1571, which is known today as the Battle of Lepanto.
Fr. Cabral also gave Dominicans a glimpse of the history of the Holy Rosary in which he explained that Hindus, Muslims, and Catholics used beads in the ancient times to give emphasis and focus on praying.
The Catholics first used the rosary when Mother Mary entrusted St. Dominic to receive and propagate the Holy Rosary to the whole world.
In praying the rosary, our lips are not just moving, but our fingers and our whole body is moving and connecting to God as well.
He also mentioned that only when we pray the rosary, we can see the face of Christ.
“When praying the rosary, ibinubukas ni Maria ang mukha ni Kristo, and only in gazing the face of Christ that we are able to see the face of Christ in our neighbors and to each other,” (When praying the rosary, Mary opens for us the face of Jesus, and only in gazing the face of Christ that we are able to see the face of Christ in our neighbors and to each other) Fr. Cabral stated.
As the Family Rosary Crusade came to a close, we are reminded that we should pray and hold onto the rosary because it is a very powerful prayer that will help us win our battles, especially in this time of the pandemic. We are called to treat Mary, not only as a mother but also a companion in praying – our mediator to God.
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