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Today join the Church and Autom as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

In the 16th century, Vienna and the rest of the European nations were threatened by Muslim military power and incursions. Pope Saint Pius V tried to alert the great powers of Europe to the coming menace, calling on the Holy League, which consisted of the Spain, Genoa, Venice, the Papal States, and the Knights of Malta, to address the Muslim threat.

Don Juan of Austria, the son of the King of Spain, gathered a sturdy fleet. The Venetians were especially passionate about this battle, since they had suffered greatly at the hands of the Turks. The Christian fleet consisted of 300-ships, with 50,000 rowers and 30,000 fighters. Still, they were greatly outnumbered by the Turkish fleet. Pope Pius V called upon all Christendom to pray the Rosary.

Don Juan had a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, newly sent over from the Spanish colony of Mexico, on his vessel, and Andrea Doria, one of the Catholic admirals for the Genoans at Lepanto, carried on his ship a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The morning of the battle arrived on October 7th, 1571, with a strong wind blowing in favor of the Turkish fleets. Don Juan sailed in a small, speedy vessel to each of his ships, shouting encouragement and prayers to the men. Immediately, the winds shifted in favor of the Christians. The battle lasted 5 hours and Christians won a stunning victory at Lepanto, defeating the Turks and saving Europe from Muslim invasion and eventual domination.

In gratitude, Pope Pius V celebrated the Battle as "Our Lady of Victory." Later, the feast of October 7th was renamed "Our Lady of the Rosary" and extended throughout the Universal Church.

When you are facing battles of your own, do not go at it alone. Turn to Jesus and the Blessed Mother for strength and guidance when the opposition seems unbeatable or situation seems unbearable. Visit Autom.com for great deals on rosaries and other Catholic Church supplies and gifts to aid in your devotion.