Religion: Rosary v. Communism

As used by Catholics today, a Rosary is a string of beads to which is attached a crucifix. The size and number of the beads remind the faithful, in fingering them, to repeat prayers in “decades” or groups of ten Ave Marias (Hail Marys) preceded by a Pater Noster (Lord’s Prayer) and followed by a Gloria, while meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Usually a Catholic says five decades, or a total of some 60 brief prayers, at a time, but the true Rosary consists of 15 decades.

Pope Leo XIII instituted October as the month of the Holy Rosary, recommending that it be recited publicly in all Catholic churches during the month. Last week, on the eve of the month, Pope Pius XI with the Rosary in his thoughts delivered himself of an encyclical, or circular letter to all his bishops, such as he regularly continues to compose despite his feebleness. As summarized in English in Vatican City, the encyclical praises the Rosary, declares: “It requires, indeed, a simple and pious mind, but precisely for this reason, it educates the Christian unto a spirit of humility and that childlike simplicity which is spoken of in the Gospel.” To his bishops the Pope recommends use of the Rosary as a counterattack on the Church’s prime bugaboo, Communism. Thus. “As the terrible sect of Albigensians was overcome by the invocation of Mary, so, we hope, shall then be overcome those who, as Communists of today, remind us of them by their craftiness and violence.”