In 1571, the Ottoman Empire launched the largest fleet the world had ever seen, and Christian Europe was too divided to stop it. Most of the monarchs of Europe couldn't or wouldn't help. So Pope St. Pius V turned to someone else: the faithful, with their rosaries.

The Battle of Lepanto tells the story of one of the most important days in Christian history. Sally and her mother tell it from their kitchen during the month of the Holy Rosary. Children will meet:

• Pope St. Pius V, who called the Holy League together and asked all of Christendom to pray

• Don Juan of Austria, the young commander who was told he was too young to lead

• Niccolò, a Christian galley slave who  prays Hail Marys on the knots of his rope

The cartoon ends with the victory of October 7th, the freeing of thousands of Christian slaves, and the reason the Church still celebrates that day as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. It also shows children that prayer and courage work together, and that the "little ones" matter in God's plans. (Stay after the credits for a surprise from Don Juan!)

Great for: family movie night, homeschool history, Catechism and Catholic school classes, and October Rosary devotions.

A note for parents: The cartoon includes animated sword fighting and ships on fire, but nothing graphic.

Our cartoons are always free. If your family enjoys The Battle of Lepanto and you'd like to help us make more, please consider a gift of any size.  Donate here

Pair it with our 162-video Church history series and question packets for a complete history curriculum.