The Holy Rosary

Our Lady

The Treasures of the Rosary

           The Rosary is often thought of as a group of prayers. This is because the Hail Mary is said on the many small beads. In fact the Rosary is one prayer. When we pray the Rosary we are not only offering up our prayer but meditating upon mysteries in the lives of Jesus and Mary.

           While lifelong Catholics accept this prayer without question, it is not so easy for others. I was a Protestant for most of my life and I, like so many others, viewed the Rosary with suspicion. After all, the Bible tells us not to be repetitive in prayer. In addition, the Rosary contains so many prayers to Mary. For Protestants prayer is equivalent to worship.

           Now as a Catholic I see that my impressions of the Rosary were incorrect. There is repetition, but it is not done "to be heard" as the Bible admonishes. The repetition is similar to background music as one meditates on the sacred mysteries. Those who oppose it may be surprised to know that of the twenty mysteries only two are directly concerned with Mary, and even they are in relationship to Jesus.

           Another problem some have with the Rosary is the use of beads. Some non-Christian religions make use of beads in praying. The person fingers the beads as they pray and for some this looks the same as a Catholic fingering their rosary beads. We must never equate use of a neutral object (beads) with worship of the same God. Beads are useful in such prayers as the Rosary, but are not necessary.

Mememorarae

The Prayers

In the Rosary three prayers are used in addition to the Apostles' Creed. One is the Lord's Prayer. Another is the "Glory Be" ("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.") The third is the "Hail Mary."

One begins by saying the Apostles' Creed on the Crucifix. On the next beads are said one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be. Then the mystery to be meditated upon is stated and one "Our Father" is prayed. As one prays the ten Hail Marys one does not concentrate on the prayers but on the mystery. The benefit of the Rosary is in the consideration given to these events in the lives of Jesus and Mary and in applying them to ourselves. When the decade is finished a Glory Be is said. The next mystery is stated and it continues until the end.

**The Hail Mary**
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed are you among women, And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death. Amen"

The Rosary is ended with the following two prayers:

**Hail Holy Queen**
"Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee to 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 unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh clement, oh loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, oh holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ"

This is followed by:

"Oh 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 while 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 Rosary

Historically the mysteries have been divided into three groups, the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious. Pope John Paul II introduced a fourth mystery, the Luminous. These mysteries are used on specific days which may vary at certain times of the liturgical year. Most weeks the Joyful mysteries are said on Monday and Saturday, the Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious on Sunday and Wednesday, and the Luminious on Thursday.

The table below lists the mysteries of the Rosary with a link to where you can learn more. It is hoped you will develop a love of this devotion and learn how to apply it to your growth in holiness.

**THE SACRED MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY**
JOYFUL MYSTERIES	SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
*The Annunciation*	*The Agony in the Garden*
*The Visitation*	*The Scourging at the Pillar*
*The Nativity*	*The Crowning With Thorns*
*The Presentation*	*The Carrying of the Cross*
*The Finding in the Temple*	*The Crucifixion*

GLORIOUS MYSTERIES	LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
*The Resurrection*	*The Baptism*
*The Ascension*	*The Miracle at Cana*
*The Descent of the Holy Spirit*	*The Coming Kingdom*
*The Assumption of Mary*	*The Transfiguration*
*The Coronation of Mary*	*The Institution of the Eucharist*

That They May Be One

The Rosary

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last updated 1/18/08