This feast celebrates the victory of Christian armies in Europe over invading Turks at the famous Battle of Lepanto in 1571. It was felt that victory had largely been due to the intercessions of Mary and the praying of the Rosary. Today, we might not be so comfortable in asking Our Lady to grant victory in a conflict where many lives would be lost violently. The feast, of course, reminds us of the beautiful prayer that the Rosary is. It is not just a prayer which is said or recited but which is meant to be accompanied by serious reflections on key moments in the life of Jesus and Mary. Today's Gospel, which tells the story of the Annunciation, reminds us of the unbreakable bond that existed between Mary and her Son from the very moment of His conception in her womb to the last horrifying moments at the foot of the Cross and on to the glory and joy of the Resurrection. And in the second reading we see Mary, with Jesus' eleven disciples (Judas Iscariot is missing), in prayer as they await the coming of the Holy Spirit on them and their being sent out to share with the whole world the Good News about Jesus.