Verapoly archbishop urges families to preserve Rosary devotion

KOCHI, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Verapoly has urged Catholics to preserve the purity of the Rosary’s rich traditional heritage for younger generations, describing the devotion as a magnificent testimony of the Catholic faith.

In a special pastoral letter for the month of October, the archbishop, based in the southern Indian state of Kerala, encouraged families, priests and religious communities to deepen their devotion to the Holy Rosary during October, traditionally dedicated to the Marian prayer.

“The Holy Rosary is the most noble, efficacious, and pleasing prayer we can offer to our Blessed Mother,” he wrote, calling it an expression of love, devotion and reverence and a means of seeking Mary’s intercession and protection.

Preserving a cherished tradition

Archbishop Kalathiparambil recalled how many Catholics had cherished the devotion since childhood, remembering visits to churches for special Rosary prayers with their grandparents and parents.

“Let us strive to pass on the purity of this rich traditional heritage to the new generation without losing even a fraction of its essence,” he urged.

“I remind you that this is a magnificent testimony of the Christian faith,” he added.

The archbishop said October offered a special opportunity to deepen devotion and receive heavenly graces through the Rosary, even for those who already prayed it daily.

He also referred to Pope Leo XIV’s encouragement to pray the Rosary daily, offering prayers for world peace.

Prayers for peace and dignity

Archbishop Kalathiparambil urged Catholics to pray the rosary for an end to conflicts and threats of war in the Middle East and elsewhere.

He expressed hope that, through the intercession of Mary, known as the Queen of Peace, peace would be restored and national leaders and governments would adopt approaches that prioritize human dignity.

The pastoral letter also recounted the historical development of the Rosary devotion, highlighting the tradition associated with Saint Dominic and the role of popes and saints who turned to the prayer during periods of conflict and challenges to Church teaching.

The archbishop recalled the 1571 naval battle in the Gulf of Corinth, in which a Christian fleet defeated the Ottoman forces. He attributed the victory to the Church’s prayers under Pope Pius V and described how the feast of the Holy Rosary became associated with Oct. 7.

Families as centres of holiness

Archbishop Kalathiparambil emphasized the spiritual value of families praying the Rosary together, citing Pope Pius XII’s reflection on the devotion’s ability to unite family members, including those absent or deceased.

“The Christian family will become a centre of holiness like the Holy Family of Nazareth; it will be transformed into a holy temple,” the quotation states.

The archbishop expressed his wish that families gathering to pray together would likewise be transformed into “holy temples.”

He concluded the letter with a prayer by Saint Bartolo Longo, known as the “Apostle of the Rosary,” reaffirming the devotion’s place in Catholic spiritual life.

Full statement available: original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.