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"In praying the rosary with devotion," says Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "we are reliving the life of Christ."
Pope Paul VI is reported to have held up his rosary and proclaimed: "This is the Bible for those who can neither read nor write." The whole history of our salvation, the pope went on to explain, is contained in these mysteries which summarize the life of Christ.
The mysteries of Christ (and Mary) do not simply refer to past events. Christ truly lives among us now, continuing to be born, to suffer, die and rise.. When we pray, "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus," we need to remember that we, too, the body of Christ, are also the fruit of her womb, for we are born of the Christ who was born of Mary. Mary is not only the Mother of Christ, but also the Mother of the Church, whom Pope Paul VI described as "the new Eve....cooperating in the birth and development of divine life in the souls of the redeemed" (quoted by Pope John Paul II in Mother of the Redeemer, #47).
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Prayer it is the inclination of the heart to God which alone matters. The words are...
the framework in which the prayer is held. The words are not the prayer.
The prayer lies always beyond the words. As the river moves into the sea,
the banks drop away. So, too, as we move into the deeper sense of
God's presence the words fall away and...we shall be left in silence in the ocean of God's love."
The use of repetition as a tool for contemplation is an ancient practice.
Repeating a sacred word or verses of Scripture, in rhythm with
one's breathing perhaps, is a method of contemplative prayer described
by early Christian writers and which survives today in the Jesus Prayer
and in various forms of centering prayer. Other religious traditions, such
as Hinduism, use mantras?the repeating of sacred words?as an aid to contemplation.
Using beads during prayers is also a custom common in other religious traditions,
such as among Buddhists and Muslims. Just as the repetition of words and breathing
can lead to a contemplative state, so also can the soothing repetition of touch.
The use of beads brings the sense of touch into the act, making the rosary a
prayer of the body as well as of the mind. It's also a way of bringing creation
itself (wood, metal, artwork) into the service of God?a very incarnational way of praying.
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- Make the sign of the cross
- Say the Apostles Creed
- Say the Our Father
- Say three Hail Marys
- Say the Glory Be
- Announce the first Mystery and say the Our Father
- Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery
- Say the Glory Be
- Say the O My Jesus
- Announce the second Mystery and say the Our Father
- Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery
- Say the Glory Be
- Say the O My Jesus
- Announce the third Mystery and say the Our Father
- Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery
- Say the Glory Be
- Say the O My Jesus
- Announce the fourth Mystery and say the Our Father
- Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery
- Say the Glory Be
- Say the O My Jesus
- Announce the fifth Mystery and say the Our Father
- Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery
- Say the Glory Be
- Say the O My Jesus
- Say the Hail Holy Queen
Prayers of the Rosary
Sign Of The Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The 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,He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; he ascended into Heaven sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there he will 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 by 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 you. 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 our death. Amen
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
O My Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of your Mercy. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee 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 towards us,
And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of they womb, Jesus.
O clememt. 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.
Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
Said on Mondays and Saturdays.
- The Annunciation (Humility) Luke 1:26-38
The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary, announcing she is to be the Mother of God
- The Visitation (Charity) Luke 1:39-56
Elizabeth greets Mary: "Blessed art Thou amoung women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!"
- The Nativity (Poverty) Luke 2:1-20
The Virgin Mary gives birth to the Redeemer of the World.
- The Presentation (Obedience) Luke 2:22-39
The Blessed Mother presents the Child Jesus in the Temple
- Finding in the Temple (Piety) Luke 2:42-52
The Blessed Mother finds Jesus in the Temple.
The Luminous Mysteries John 8:12
Said on Thursdays.
- The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan John 1:29-34
The heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares Jesus the beloved Son
- The Wedding Feast at Cana John 2:1-11
The first of the signs, when Christ changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among believers.
- The Announcement of the Kingdom Matthew 4:17
Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls us to conversion and forgives the sins of all who draw near to Him in humble trust.
- The Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-8
The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to "listen to him."
- The Institution of the Eucharist (food for our salvation) Matthew 26:26-30
Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies "to the end" His love for humanity, for whose salvation He will offer Himself in sacrifice.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Said on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- The Agony in the Garden (Contrition) Luke 22:39-44
At Gethsemane, Jesus prays as He contemplates the sins of the world.
- The Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) Matthew 27:26
Jesus is cruelly scourged until His mortified body could bear no more.
- Crowning with Thorns (Courage) Matthew 27:28-31
A crown of thorns is placed on the head of Jesus.
- Carrying of the Cross (Patience) Luke 23:26-32
Jesus carries the heavy cross upon His shoulders to Calvary.
- The Crucifixion (Self-Denial) Matthew 27:33-50
Jesus is nailed to the cross and dias after hours of agony.
The Glorious Mysteries
Said on Wednesdays and Sundays.
- The Resurrection (Faith) Matthew 28:1-20
Jesus rises glorious and immortal, three days after His death.
- The Ascension (Hope) Luke 24:50-51
Jesus ascends into Heaven forty days after His Resurrection.
- Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) Acts 2:24
The Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the Apostles.
- The Assumption (Eternal Happiness)
The Blessed Mother is united with her Divine Son in Heaven.
- The Coronation (Devotion to Mary)
Mary is gloriously crowned Queen of Heaven and earth.
Read the Apostolic Letter ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE
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