THE ROSARY
There are many devotions in the Catholic Church that help us in our growth as Christians. Among them the holy Rosary occupies a pre-eminent place because of its beauty, simplicity and the depth of its richness. It is universal in its appeal. Children lisp it on their mother's lap. Mature people have recourse to it in times of difficulty. It comes as a solace in old age. It strengthens family bonds. The Rosary is a compendium of the Gospel. It contains in capsule form all the essentials of the Gospel.
PRAYING THE ROSARY
Rosary beads consist of a small cross, a series of beads in a circular arrangement of five strands of ten beads each separated by a single bead. On each bead in the string of ten beads a Hail Mary is prayed; the single beads are the for the Lord's Prayer.
The purpose of the rosary, however, is not to recite rote prayers but to repeat prayers you know by heart as you contemplate, actively meditate on, a mystery of Christianity. A mystery in this context is an important event whose whole meaning you won't fully understand in this world.
For 900 years there have been three series of mysteries: the Joyous Mysteries (Christ's Incarnation) the Sorrowful Mysteries (Christ's suffering and death) and the Glorious Mysteries (Christ's resurrection). Pope John Paul II has added a new set of areas of contemplation -- the Luminous Mysteries, which encompass Christ's ministry on earth. This isn't so much an addition to a tradition as the filling of a gap. The Joyful Mysteries end with Christ being found, at age 12, teaching in the temple. The Sorrowful Mysteries start with Christ suffering in Gethsemane the night before his death. It was odd to contemplate the Joyful Mysteries one day and jump to the Sorrowful Mysteries the next; something was missing -- what Jesus said and did as an adult.
The rosary had been as it was for almost a millennium. Why did Pope John Paul change it? "He is making a statement at the end of his life about what's important to him," says Father C.J. McCloskey of Washington's Catholic Information Center. "By adding these mysteries he is saying, 'This is another invitation to look closely at the life of Christ--to contemplate and meditate.'" While meditating, the person reciting the prayers is brought closer to Jesus and his Mother Mary.
BEGIN BY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
RECITE THE CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Pray the LORD'S PRAYER and three HAIL MARY'S for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; end with GLORY BE
OUR FATHER Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
HAIL MARY Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.
GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Pray "HAIL HOLY QUEEN" after the five decades:
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Whose Only-Begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life: grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The following prayers may be added after the "Hail, Holy Queen":
Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
For the intentions of the Pope, recite the "Our Father", one "Hail Mary", and one "Glory Be." Close with the sign of the cross.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
The Rosary is divided into three parts, each having five mysteries. While reciting each mystery, begin by praying one "Our Father", three "Hail Mary's" and the "Glory Be" (which makes up one decade):
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
(Recite Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays during Advent)
1. The annunciation that Mary is to be Mother of the Savior (Lk 1:26-38).
2. The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Lk 1:39 47).
3. The nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Lk 2:1-7).
4. The presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:22- 32).
5. The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:41-52)
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
(Recite Tuesdays and Fridays, also Sundays during Lent):
1. The agony of Christ in the garden (Mk 14:32-36).
2. The scourging of Jesus (Jn 18:28-38;19:1).
3. The crowning with thorns (Mk 15:16-20).
4. The carrying of the cross (Jn 19:l2-16).
5. The crucifixion of Jesus (Lk 23:33-34; 39-46).
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
(Recite Sundays and Wednesdays, also Sundays from Easter until Advent)
1. The resurrection of Jesus (Lk 24:1-6).
2. The ascension of Jesus into Heaven (Lk 24:50-53).
3. The descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
4. The assumption of Mary into heaven (Songs 2:8-14).
5. The coronation of our Lady in heaven (Rev 12:1-6)
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
(Mysteries of Light)
In addition to the joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries, Pope John Paul II recommended that the Luminous Mysteries be recited on Thursdays. The "Mysteries of Light" are drawn from the life of Christ, and his public revelation of his divine nature and mission. They are:
1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (Mt 3:113-17)
2. The wedding feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-11)
3. The announcement of the Kingdom (Lk 4:14-21)
4. The Transfiguration (Mk 9:2-8)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist (Lk 22:14-20)
After each decade pray the FATIMA PRAYER
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you. Amen.
There are many devotions in the Catholic Church that help us in our growth as Christians. Among them the holy Rosary occupies a pre-eminent place because of its beauty, simplicity and the depth of its richness. It is universal in its appeal. Children lisp it on their mother's lap. Mature people have recourse to it in times of difficulty. It comes as a solace in old age. It strengthens family bonds. The Rosary is a compendium of the Gospel. It contains in capsule form all the essentials of the Gospel.
PRAYING THE ROSARY
Rosary beads consist of a small cross, a series of beads in a circular arrangement of five strands of ten beads each separated by a single bead. On each bead in the string of ten beads a Hail Mary is prayed; the single beads are the for the Lord's Prayer.
The purpose of the rosary, however, is not to recite rote prayers but to repeat prayers you know by heart as you contemplate, actively meditate on, a mystery of Christianity. A mystery in this context is an important event whose whole meaning you won't fully understand in this world.
For 900 years there have been three series of mysteries: the Joyous Mysteries (Christ's Incarnation) the Sorrowful Mysteries (Christ's suffering and death) and the Glorious Mysteries (Christ's resurrection). Pope John Paul II has added a new set of areas of contemplation -- the Luminous Mysteries, which encompass Christ's ministry on earth. This isn't so much an addition to a tradition as the filling of a gap. The Joyful Mysteries end with Christ being found, at age 12, teaching in the temple. The Sorrowful Mysteries start with Christ suffering in Gethsemane the night before his death. It was odd to contemplate the Joyful Mysteries one day and jump to the Sorrowful Mysteries the next; something was missing -- what Jesus said and did as an adult.
The rosary had been as it was for almost a millennium. Why did Pope John Paul change it? "He is making a statement at the end of his life about what's important to him," says Father C.J. McCloskey of Washington's Catholic Information Center. "By adding these mysteries he is saying, 'This is another invitation to look closely at the life of Christ--to contemplate and meditate.'" While meditating, the person reciting the prayers is brought closer to Jesus and his Mother Mary.
BEGIN BY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
RECITE THE CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Pray the LORD'S PRAYER and three HAIL MARY'S for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; end with GLORY BE
OUR FATHER Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
HAIL MARY Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.
GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Pray "HAIL HOLY QUEEN" after the five decades:
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Whose Only-Begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life: grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The following prayers may be added after the "Hail, Holy Queen":
Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
For the intentions of the Pope, recite the "Our Father", one "Hail Mary", and one "Glory Be." Close with the sign of the cross.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
The Rosary is divided into three parts, each having five mysteries. While reciting each mystery, begin by praying one "Our Father", three "Hail Mary's" and the "Glory Be" (which makes up one decade):
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
(Recite Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays during Advent)
1. The annunciation that Mary is to be Mother of the Savior (Lk 1:26-38).
2. The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Lk 1:39 47).
3. The nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Lk 2:1-7).
4. The presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:22- 32).
5. The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:41-52)
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
(Recite Tuesdays and Fridays, also Sundays during Lent):
1. The agony of Christ in the garden (Mk 14:32-36).
2. The scourging of Jesus (Jn 18:28-38;19:1).
3. The crowning with thorns (Mk 15:16-20).
4. The carrying of the cross (Jn 19:l2-16).
5. The crucifixion of Jesus (Lk 23:33-34; 39-46).
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
(Recite Sundays and Wednesdays, also Sundays from Easter until Advent)
1. The resurrection of Jesus (Lk 24:1-6).
2. The ascension of Jesus into Heaven (Lk 24:50-53).
3. The descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
4. The assumption of Mary into heaven (Songs 2:8-14).
5. The coronation of our Lady in heaven (Rev 12:1-6)
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
(Mysteries of Light)
In addition to the joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries, Pope John Paul II recommended that the Luminous Mysteries be recited on Thursdays. The "Mysteries of Light" are drawn from the life of Christ, and his public revelation of his divine nature and mission. They are:
1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (Mt 3:113-17)
2. The wedding feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-11)
3. The announcement of the Kingdom (Lk 4:14-21)
4. The Transfiguration (Mk 9:2-8)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist (Lk 22:14-20)
After each decade pray the FATIMA PRAYER
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you. Amen.
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