In the early church young virgins were martyred for their faith and dressed in festive robes and crowns of roses.   These crowns were gathered by other Christians and a prayer was said for each rose.   These spiritual bouquets became known as the Rosary, which means "crown of roses."

      Many people in the early Church memorized and recited the 150 Psalms.   Since this was very difficult many people substituted 150 Hail Mary's.   This number was broken into 15 groups of 10 each, called decades,   Each decade was said while meditating on a special event in the life of Jesus and Mary.   The Hail Mary comes from the greeting of Elizabeth to Mary in Luke 1:42-43.

      Mary appeared to St. Dominic in the 13th Century, commanding him to popularize the Rosary, making 15 promises to those who pray the Rosary.   During World War I Mary appeared to three small children in Fatima, Portugal.   She asked them to pray the Rosary for peace and justice.   October is the month Catholics pay special attention to this devotion.