October is the month when the Church calls the faithful to specifically pray the rosary. The rosary is a simple prayer, but when recited devoutly, it has the power to draw us deeper into the mysteries of Christ’s life. However, most people recite it so mechanically. Others simply skip it. That’s because they are yet to discover the hidden power of the rosary.

The exact origin of the rosary is not known. But from what has been traced so far, one can say that it is a prayer that that has evolved over the centuries. The early Church Fathers would use structured prayers and references from the Bible to contemplate on Christ’s and Mary’s lives. But the laity was at a disadvantage because they did not know to read or write. Therefore, a simple form of repetitive prayer consisting of 50 Hail Marys and links to verses of psalms was introduced to enable them also to contemplate on Christ’s life and Mary’s lives. This simple prayer came to be known as the rosary.

The simplicity of the rosary did not appeal to many. The so called ‘Protestant Reformation’ movement disregard the prayer along with many other beliefs and practices of Our Catholic Church. Their intellect and reasoning did not permit them to discover the hidden power in it. The scripture says, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and set aside the understanding of the scholars.”  (1 Corinthians 1:19). However, ordinary people who had a deep devotion to this simple repetitive form of prayer were given the understanding of the deep mysteries of Christ’s life, which led them to live for Him alone.

A number of those declared as saints by the Catholic Church had little or no formal education. They could not read the Bible or any other spiritual literature. Yet they are known to have a deep spirituality stemming from their deep devotion to praying the rosary. St. Bernadette Soubirous and St. Thérèse of Lisieux are two such examples. Definitely, the Church has had over the centuries, innumerable Catholics who have grown in their intimacy with Christ as a result of their devotion to the rosary, even though they may have not been recognised as saints today. The most renowned Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said about the Rosary, “The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description.”

Now we can understand why Our Blessed Mother appeared to the three ordinary shepherd children in Fatima and asked them to pray the rosary. They did as she told; and then we know what followed. Our Lady revealed to them the Three Secrets. Then there was the Miracle of the Sun which lasted for ten minutes and was seen by many and reported in newspapers, leading many to believe in the reality of the apparitions. Never before had the world witnessed something so specular. All that the children did was faithfully pray the rosary – a simple and repetitive prayer, which many consider to be boring and even nonsense. Yet God listened to that prayer. As St. Paul writes… God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.  (1 Corinthians 1:28).

The rosary is not only an effective form of prayer to grow in intimacy with Christ but also a powerful means of seeking divine intervention in one’s hour of need. In the 17th century when the Muslims attacked Europe, Pope Pius V asked all the faithful to say the rosary and implore our heavenly Mother’s prayers, under the title Our Lady of Victory, that our Lord would grant victory to the Christians. Everyone prayed the rosary and although the Muslim fleet was far greater than the European, the Europeans miraculously won the battle that was fought at Lepanto.  The Crusaders had a similar experience when they were getting ready to organise a Gospel convention in one of the cities of Goa. Having received threats from certain fringe elements to cancel the convention or face dire consequences, the leadership of the ACJM gave a call to its members to offer one lakh Hail Marys. The figure was reached and the Gospel Convention was a success with no untoward incidents.

Therefore, let us set aside all our intellect and worldly wisdom and recite this simple and yet powerful prayer with great faith and devotion. Let us contemplate on Christ’s and Mary’s lives as we pray with the one desire of growing in intimacy with Our Lord. And God from heaven, through the intercession of Our Mother, will truly reveal to us the mysteries of Christ’s life. May the words of Our Lord bear fruit in our lives… “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned. Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.  (Matthew 11:25-26).

 

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CONCLAVE FOR LEADING CADRES OF THE WIDOWS MINISTRY 

A conclave was organised for the leading cadres of the Widows Ministry of the ACJM in South Goa on 15th September 2025, which also happens to be the Foundation Day of the Widows Ministry. The Word of God preached at the conclave was specifically for the widows, and it not only offered them comfort, encouragement, and hope but also stirred a desire in their hearts to reach out to other widows. The Holy Mass, group discussions, planning, and fellowship were other highlights of the conclave.

 

CONCLAVE FOR THE OFFICE STAFF OF THE ACJM

The office staff of the ACJM went in for a conclave in South Goa from 15th to 19th September 2025. Besides doing office related work, the staff members are also involved in some way or the other in various ministry and zonal related activities. Also, for smooth functionning of the entire organisation, a great deal of cordination is required between the offices and the ministries/zones of the ACJM. Therefore, at this conclave, a thourough evaluation was done of each ministry of the ACJM along with the respective ministry in-charges. This exercise was very helpful as the office staff was in a better position to understand

 

CRUSADERS OFFLINE PRAYER MEETINGS

The Crusaders have their regular online conferences every Saturday. However, they also meet oflline once in four months in their respecitve zones, viz., Margao, Panjim, and Vasco. In Margao, the offline prayer meeting was held at St. Theresa Retreat House on 11th September 2025, in Panjim, it was held at the Immaculate Conception Church hall on 14th September 2025 and in Vasco, it was held at Pallotti Home, Chicalim on 25th September 2025. These offline meetings serve as an opportunity for the members to mainly have fellowship with one another.

Margao Zone

 

Panjim Zone

 

Vasco Zone

1-Day Program for members of the Advanced Crusaders Ministry

On 21st September 2025, the Advanced Crusaders Ministry of the ACJM organised a 1-day program titled ‘Together in the Twilight’ at Pallotti Home, Chicalim. The main aim of the program was to create an awareness among the ACM members of the various Government  facilities and schemes available in Goa for senior citizens. As St. James writes, “What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don’t give them the necessities of life?” (James 2:16).

The program began with a spiritual session of praise and worship and the Word of God and was followed by the actual awareness sessions. Mr Diogo Da Costa  was the resource person for the first session dealing with the legal protection to seniors. The participants were made aware of the legal provisions available to seniors against physical and emotional abuse.

The second session on various social welfare schemes for seniors was conducted by resource persons Mr Vishal Naik and Mrs. Vaishali Kubal from the Directorate of Social Welfare.

The final session was on ‘Palliative Care at Home’ by Swizel Pereira, Counselling Psychologist at South Goa District Hospital (SGDH). She spoke about facilities provided for bedridden patients at home, they spoke about cancer patients and their meetings where there is a bond created through interaction & sharing every week at District Hospital and also bereavement support to the families who lost their loved ones.

 

Training for all-India Diocesan Vicars General-s & Chancelors

On 16th October 2025, Br. Edmund Antao, the Spiritual Guide of the ACJM, conducted a Training Session for Vicars General-s and top church leadership of Dioceses from all over India in South Goa. He was invited by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India headed by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao +
to be the Resource person to give the Training.

 

Ignite For Christ 2025

The youth ministry of the ACJM orgainsed the anual residential retreat titled ‘Ignite for Christ 2025’ at St. Therese Retreat House in Pajifond-Margao from 18th to 20th October 2025. Youth from all over Goa attended the retreat. This time, the central theme of the retreat was ‘You are mine’ taken from Isaiah 43:1. The indepth reflection on the Word of God, spirit-led praise and worship sessions, testimonies, sacrament of confession and Holy Mass enabled the youth to have a close and personal encounter with Christ. Many experienced a deep sense of healing during the inner healing-oriented adoration session that was conducted. Also, the games, group prayers and meaningful group discussions facilitated the fellowship among the participants at the retreat. All this was evident from the sharing session that was held at the end of the retreat.

 

 

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No further events in the month of October

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