Our Lady of Victory
A Rosary led victory in the Battle of Lepanto
For many centuries trade in Europe made Venice the hub of art & culture. But in 1453, with the fall of Constantinople, Christians were no longer the dominating force that maintained the Mediterranean trade routes. For many generations the people of Venice tried to maintain peace between both Christian and Moslem traders but hostility was high.
Fifty years later a boiling point was reached and the Turks demanded the surrender of Cyprus. The Venetians, scared of the conflict this would cause, appealed to Pope Pius V, who brought together a naval expedition to engage the Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571.
The Turks greatly outnumbered the Christian fleet three to one, with even the weather proving to side with the Turks. Victory looked bleak to the Holy League, as they navigated their way in the Mediterranean to battle. At the onset of battle the weather shifted now favoring the Holy League, pushing their naval fleets to victory. Although lives were lost to the Holy League, the losses of the Turks were much greater.
Many Miles away from the battle, tucked among the walls of the Vatican, Pope Pius V, patiently praying the rosary waited for news of the battle at Lepanto. When the Battle had ended, St. Pius V knew that Our Lady had interceded for the Holy Leagues and their victory. In fact, he saw the Blessed Mother in a vision where she revealed the victory to him.
As an offering of thanksgiving, Pope Pius V declared this day, October 7th, as the feast day of Our Lady of Victory, later known as Our Lady of The Rosary. The Pontiffs' prayers were not the only ones heard that day, but it is said that the Christian troops all prayed a Rosary the night before battle.
Some may question the appropriateness of commemorating a battle where blood was shed, but it is without a doubt that the victory of the Holy league is attributed to the intercession of Our Lady. Let this feast day serve as a reminder to us of the wonders that can be accomplished by a simple but devoted ask of our Heavenly Mother.