Welcome October 2026!

So much to remember, to honor, and, to pray for this tenth month of this year!

Aside from personal and family milestones to gratefully celebrate, we are all reminded that October is the month dedicated to praying the Rosary.

Pope Pius V, a Dominican, declared the Feast of Our Lady of Victory on October 7, 1951 after a naval victory of Christian forces in the Gulf of Patras in western Greece.

Pope Gregory XIII, in 1573, changed the name of the Feast from Our Lady of Victory to the Feast of the Holy Rosary to honor the power of the Rosary prayed during that battle.

In his recent apostolic journey to France, Pope Leo XIV called on all to pray the Rosary for peace throughout the world. Together with the Rosary, he also urged all to include acts of penance, mercy, dialogue, and reconciliation.

The 13th of October is also a very important day for Catholics who recall and celebrate the Miracle of the Sun, the culminating sign that took place on this day in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, confirming the presence and truth of Mama Mary’s message for the world that continues till now: “pray the Rosary daily for peace and the conversion of sinners. Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners.”

Again, this timeless, repeated sharing of that October 13, 1917 Miracle of the Sun in Fatima: “an estimated 70,000 people gathered in the Cova da Iria. Rain poured relentlessly, turning the fields to mud. Suddenly, the clouds parted, and the sun appeared as a spinning disc of light. Witnesses reported it “danced” in the sky, changed colors, and appeared to plunge toward the earth before returning to its place. Even skeptics, journalists, and scientists present that day could not deny what they saw. When the miracle ended, the drenched ground and soaked clothing were inexplicably dry.”

Aside from the Feasts of St. Therese of Lisieux (October 1), our Guardian Angels (October 2), and other saints, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, considered as patron saint of animals, archaeologists, ecology, and Italy on October 4 marks the culmination of this year’s season of creation.

St. Francis’ song - “The Canticle of the Sun, also known as the Canticle of the Creatures and, in Latin, as Laudes Creaturarum” – inspired the 2015 encyclical of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si (“Praise Be to You).”

Below are some excerpts from that 1225 “The Canticle of the Sun:”

“Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings.

“To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

“Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures; especially Brother Sun, who is the day, and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and bears a likeness to You, Most High One.

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night; and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

“Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love,

and bear infirmity and tribulation.

“Blessed are those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.”