If we look only to the historical background of this feast, we may feel somewhat uncomfortable, since it commemorates a great battle in which Christian Europe defeated the Muslims. It does not seem to be consonant with the prayer intention for this month, which calls for religious dialogue instead of religious confrontation.

It is clear, however, that today's feast no longer celebrates a battle victory in the past. We may safely say that the vast majority of Catholics who pray the Rosary have scarcely ever heard of that battle. As is true of all feast days, so too this feast transcends its historical background and draws us more deeply into the mystery of Christ. This is further emphasized by the recitation of Mary's Magnificat, which forms our Responsorial Psalm today. Moreover, the feast goes beyond this one day and embraces the whole month of October, the "Month of the Holy Rosary". By celebrating the Rosary, the Church encourages us to say the Rosary, since it is one of the greatest methods of prayer available to us.