On 7 October, it is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Mary is then honoured as the protector of Christendom.
The date of 7 October was chosen because on 7 October 1571, the Christian naval forces of the Holy League won a battle in the Mediterranean Sea against the Turkish, Islamic Ottomans. The naval battle is called the Battle of Lepanto. Pius V, Pope from 1566 to 1572, born Antonio Ghislieri (1504-1572), attributed this victory to the help of Mary obtained by praying the rosary. The Turks were miraculously defeated at Lepanto through an apparition of Mary and some miracles. A remarkable victory, as the Turkish fighters were far greater in number and possessed more war materiel than the Catholic armada.
