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The Rosary
The Rosary is the most common of Catholic devotional prayers. The term derives from the Latin rosarium [rose garden], which by the fourteenth century had come to mean a collection of devotional texts. The Rosary as we know it received its present form in the sixteenth century.
On the other hand, its roots extend into the distant past. The custom of using knotted strings as a device for keeping count of prayers is found in many religious traditions. Christians also used such means to help in the continuous repetition of biblical passages or other text. By the eleventh century, the custom of saying 150 Our Fathers as a substitute for the psalms was widespread among the devout laity. This "poor person's breviary" was often was divided, as was the Psalter, into three sets of fifty; the strings of beads used to count them were called "paternosters" [Our Fathers].
In the twelfth century, as Marian piety increased, the Angelic Salutation from Luke's Gospel was added to these, and soon the words of Elizabeth at Mary's Visitation as well. The development of a "rosary" consisting primarily of Hail Mary's took place. The friars of the Dominican Order did the most to make it a general, popular prayer by propagating it through their preaching and the foundation of rosary confraternities, as well as by introducing a number of simplifications that standardized the prayer in its present form. Because of its practical simplicity and warmth it remains a widely popular prayer. The rosary is a longer prayer, composed of the prayers given below. While saying them we meditate on events in the lives of Mary and Christ, mysteries of our redemption.
Introduction
The Sign of the Cross The Apostles' Creed (prayed on the crucifix) 1 Our Father ("Our Father's" are said on the large beads, or those set off from the others by a length of chain) 3 Hail Mary's (for an increase of faith, hope, and charity; "Hail Mary's" are said on all the other beads) Glory Be Five decades, each consisting of the following: (As you say a decade, you can think about one of the mysteries, given below)
Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, Glory Be
Conclusion: The Sign of the Cross (often preceded by other prayers, such as the "Hail Holy Queen" and the closing prayer given below) The Mysteries of the Rosary
The
Joyful Mysteries
[Monday and Saturday]
1.The Annunciation (the angel announces to Mary she
is to be the Mother of God) 2.The Visitation (Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth) 3.The
Nativity (Jesus is born at Bethlehem) 4.The Presentation of the Infant Jesus at the Temple
5.The Finding of the Boy Jesus in the Temple Sorrowful Mysteries [Tuesday and Friday]
1.The Agony in the Garden 2.The Scourging at the
Pillar 3.The Crowning with Thorns 4.Jesus Carries His Cross 5.The Crucifixion and Death of
Jesus Glorious Mysteries [Sunday, Wednesday]
1.The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead 2.The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven 3.The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles 4.The Assumption of Mary into Heaven 5.The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven.
Mysteries of Light [Thursday] as given by Pope John Paul II on 16 October 2002
1. The Baptism of Jesus 2. The Wedding Feast at Cana where Jesus transformed water into wine 3. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God 4. Transfiguration, when God commanded the apostles to listen to Christ 5. Institution of the Eucharist.
You may of course use any set of mysteries on any day, but traditionally they are alternated depending on the day of the week. Prayers that Make Up the Rosary
Sign of the Cross
Apostles' Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, and the third day he rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, from whence he shall come 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. Our Father 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 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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 our death. Amen. Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Hail Holy Queen 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 on us and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh clement, o loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary, V/. Pray for us, oh 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 meditating upon these mysteries in 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. ROSARY IS BOTH SIMPLE AND PROFOUND, SAYS POPE
VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 1999 (VIS) - At today's angelus, which he recited from his study window overlooking St. Peter's Square after his visit to a Roman parish, the Pope recalled that October is the month of the rosary, and he urged the faithful to "turn frequently to this prayer, which once was the daily prayer of Christian families."
He observed that the rosary "unites, in a wonderful way, simplicity and profoundness, the individual and the community aspects. The rosary is in itself a contemplative prayer, and has great strength for intercession." "There are many intentions we can entrust to Mary," the Holy Father went on. "In particular I urge you to recite the rosary for the synod of the bishops of Europe, now taking place in he Vatican. I am trying diligently to participate, and I can see with what great pastoral concern the synod fathers are facing the great challenges of the European continent. What is strongly emerging is the need for a renewed and courageous evangelization, a vast missionary action which takes into account the changed situations in Europe, which is increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural."
The Pope then recited the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, after which he remarked that "today is Mental Health Day, promoted by the World Health organization." He also mentioned that Italy today is celebrating the Day of Social Communications, on the theme 'MassMedia: A Friendly Presence Next to those Seeking the Father."
ANG/ROSARY/... VIS 991011 (260)
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