The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. The practice of dedicating the entire month of October to the Holy Rosary developed toward the end of the last century. Pope Leo XIII (papacy: 1878-1903) strongly promoted the increase of devotion to the Blessed Mother by encouraging the constant use of the Rosary.

Each decade highlights an event in the life of Mary or Jesus.
 
Joyful Mysteries: Through the Annunciation (1) and Visitation (2), we get a glimpse of Mary’s joyful yes to God. She gives birth to Jesus in the Nativity (3). Mary and Joseph present their son at the temple (4) and find him there again when he is a youth (5).
 
Sorrowful Mysteries: Jesus prays in agony in the garden (1), knowing his hour of suffering has come. After his betrayal and arrest, Jesus is scourged (2) and crowned with thorns (3). He carries his cross (4), and Mary stands at the foot of the cross as he is crucified (5).
 
Glorious Mysteries: Christ is risen in glory (1)! After appearing to those he loves, he ascends into heaven (2). Jesus’s followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (3). Mary, unaffected by original sin, is assumed body and soul into heaven (4), where she is crowned queen (5).
 
Luminous Mysteries: Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River (1). At Mary's request Jesus performs his first miracle at the wedding feast at Cana (2). Jesus proclaims the Kingdom (3), is transfigured (4), and institutes the Eucharist (5).