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Praying the RosaryMary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:51
The Rosary is primarily a prayer of meditation. We reflect on important events in the life of Christ and we give God thanks for these events which bring us our salvation. As we reflect on these eternal truths and try to apply them to our daily lives, we recite prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) which become like background music for our meditation. We ask Mary to unite her prayers to ours and to guide our efforts in following her Son's example.
Mary lived with her eyes fixed on Christ, treasuring his every word: "She kept all these things, pondering them in her heart." The memories of Jesus, impressed upon her heart, were always with her... In a way these memories were to be the "rosary" which she recited uninterruptedly throughout her earthly life. -Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter on the Rosary of the Virgin Mary. Behold Your Mother
Mary is the Mother of Christ and his Church; she is our Mother.
She leads us to the way, truth and life of her Son. She shows us the way, beginning with her yes to God, "I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." And as mother, she journeys with us on our way, reminding us to, "do whatever he tells you." We believe in the power of intercessory prayer - praying to God on behalf of one another. Our brothers and sisters in heaven also share in this intercessory prayer on our behalf. At the foot of the cross, Jesus placed us in his mother's care, "Behold your mother." When we pray the Rosary, Mary is at our side, interceding to her Son on our behalf. |
How to Pray the Rosary
There are four sets of "mysteries" to help us focus on the life, ministry and passion of Jesus.
- The Joyful Mysteries: focus on events surrounding the beginning of Jesus' life
- The Mysteries of Light: focus on events during the public ministry of Jesus
- The Sorrowful Mysteries: focus on events during Jesus' suffering and death
- The Glorious Mysteries: focus on events beginning with Jesus' resurrection from the dead
In 2002, Pope John Paul II gave us new Rosary mysteries to meditate on: The Mysteries of Light.
These events from the public life of Jesus help us understand Him as "Light of the World"
and to meditate on how He calls us to bring the light of His love and truth into the world.
The four large windows in St. Mary's Church contain four of these mysteries:
These events from the public life of Jesus help us understand Him as "Light of the World"
and to meditate on how He calls us to bring the light of His love and truth into the world.
The four large windows in St. Mary's Church contain four of these mysteries:
Meditations on the Mysteries
Within each of the four sets of mysteries from the different times in Christ's life are five key events. Each of these five events, or mysteries, has a scripture passage to upon which to reflect. Each mystery is also associated with a particular virtue which may be understood, desired and sought in praying that mystery. A decade (ten) Hail Marys are prayed to provide "background music" while reflecting on the scripture passage for each mystery.
Beginning the Rosary
To guide this prayer, a string of beads—also called a rosary—is used as a means of involving the body and keeping track of the prayers. A rosary has a small crucifix attached to a short string of four beads which leads to a circle of five groups of ten beads each (a decade) and each of these five decades are separated by a single bead. Each decade is used to pray and meditate on an event from Christ's life (mystery). The crucifix with the short string of beads are used for the introductory prayers.
Beginning the Rosary
To guide this prayer, a string of beads—also called a rosary—is used as a means of involving the body and keeping track of the prayers. A rosary has a small crucifix attached to a short string of four beads which leads to a circle of five groups of ten beads each (a decade) and each of these five decades are separated by a single bead. Each decade is used to pray and meditate on an event from Christ's life (mystery). The crucifix with the short string of beads are used for the introductory prayers.
The Joyful Mysteries
First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary
Pray for the Love Of Humility
Remember the humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gabriel greeted her with these words: "Hail full of grace" and her yes to doing God’s will.
Luke 1:26
Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Pray for Charity Toward My Neighbor
Remember Mary's charity in visiting her cousin Elizabeth and remaining with her for three months before the birth of John the Baptist. Luke 1:39
Third Joyful Mystery - The Birth of Jesus
Pray for the Love of God
Remember the poverty, so lovingly accepted by Mary when she placed the Infant Jesus, our God and Redeemer, in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem. Luke 2:1
Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Pray for a Spirit of Sacrifice and Obedience to God’s truth.
Remember Mary's obedience to the law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple. Luke 2:22
Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple
Pray for Zeal For The Glory Of God
Remember the deep sorrow with which Mary sought the Child Jesus for three days, and the joy with which she found Him in the midst of the Teachers of the Temple. Luke 2:41
The Luminous Mysteries – Mysteries of Light
First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
Pray for Strength to Live out your Baptism
And a voice came from the heavens saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17
The Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana, Christ Manifested
Pray to Jesus through Mary
Jesus did this at the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. John 2:11
The Third Luminous Mystery - the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Pray for True Repentance and Trust in God
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:15
The Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus
Pray for Increase in Holiness
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Matthew 17:2
The Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist
Pray in Thanksgiving for the Mass
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26
The Sorrowful Mysteries
First Sorrowful Mystery - Agony of Jesus in the Garden
Pray for True Repentance for My Sins
Remember our Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, suffering a bitter agony for our sins. Matthew 26:36
Second Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar
Pray for Purity of mind and body
Remember the cruel scourging at the pillar that our Lord suffered, the heavy blows that tore His flesh. Matthew 27:26
Third Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Crowned With Thorns
Pray for Moral Courage.
Remember the crown of sharp thorns that was forced upon our Lord's Head and the patience with which He endured the pain for our sins.
Matthew 27:27
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus Carries His Cross
Pray for the Virtue of Patience
Remember the heavy Cross, so willingly carried by our Lord, and ask Him to help you to carry your crosses without complaint. Matthew 27:32
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery - The Crucifixion of Jesus
Pray for the Grace of Final Perseverance
Remember the love which filled Christ's Sacred Heart during His three hours' agony on the Cross, and ask Him to be with you at the hour of death.
Matthew 27:33
The Glorious Mysteries
First Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection of Jesus
Pray for a Strong Faith
Remember Christ's glorious triumph when, on the third day after His death, He arose from the tomb and for forty days appeared to His Blessed Mother and to His disciples. John 20:1
Second Glorious Mystery - The Ascension of Jesus
Pray for the Virtue of Hope
Remember the Ascension of Jesus Christ, forty days after His glorious Resurrection, in the presence of Mary and His disciples. Luke 24:36
Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Pray for Zeal for the Glory of God
Remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles, under the form of tongues of fire, in fulfillment of Christ's promise. Acts 2:1
Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
Pray for the Grace of a Holy Death
Remember the glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, when she was united with her Divine Son.
Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Pray for a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and trust in her intercession
Remember the glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son, to the great joy of all the Saints.
First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary
Pray for the Love Of Humility
Remember the humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gabriel greeted her with these words: "Hail full of grace" and her yes to doing God’s will.
Luke 1:26
Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Pray for Charity Toward My Neighbor
Remember Mary's charity in visiting her cousin Elizabeth and remaining with her for three months before the birth of John the Baptist. Luke 1:39
Third Joyful Mystery - The Birth of Jesus
Pray for the Love of God
Remember the poverty, so lovingly accepted by Mary when she placed the Infant Jesus, our God and Redeemer, in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem. Luke 2:1
Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
Pray for a Spirit of Sacrifice and Obedience to God’s truth.
Remember Mary's obedience to the law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple. Luke 2:22
Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple
Pray for Zeal For The Glory Of God
Remember the deep sorrow with which Mary sought the Child Jesus for three days, and the joy with which she found Him in the midst of the Teachers of the Temple. Luke 2:41
The Luminous Mysteries – Mysteries of Light
First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
Pray for Strength to Live out your Baptism
And a voice came from the heavens saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17
The Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana, Christ Manifested
Pray to Jesus through Mary
Jesus did this at the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. John 2:11
The Third Luminous Mystery - the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Pray for True Repentance and Trust in God
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:15
The Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus
Pray for Increase in Holiness
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Matthew 17:2
The Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist
Pray in Thanksgiving for the Mass
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26
The Sorrowful Mysteries
First Sorrowful Mystery - Agony of Jesus in the Garden
Pray for True Repentance for My Sins
Remember our Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, suffering a bitter agony for our sins. Matthew 26:36
Second Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar
Pray for Purity of mind and body
Remember the cruel scourging at the pillar that our Lord suffered, the heavy blows that tore His flesh. Matthew 27:26
Third Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Crowned With Thorns
Pray for Moral Courage.
Remember the crown of sharp thorns that was forced upon our Lord's Head and the patience with which He endured the pain for our sins.
Matthew 27:27
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus Carries His Cross
Pray for the Virtue of Patience
Remember the heavy Cross, so willingly carried by our Lord, and ask Him to help you to carry your crosses without complaint. Matthew 27:32
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery - The Crucifixion of Jesus
Pray for the Grace of Final Perseverance
Remember the love which filled Christ's Sacred Heart during His three hours' agony on the Cross, and ask Him to be with you at the hour of death.
Matthew 27:33
The Glorious Mysteries
First Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection of Jesus
Pray for a Strong Faith
Remember Christ's glorious triumph when, on the third day after His death, He arose from the tomb and for forty days appeared to His Blessed Mother and to His disciples. John 20:1
Second Glorious Mystery - The Ascension of Jesus
Pray for the Virtue of Hope
Remember the Ascension of Jesus Christ, forty days after His glorious Resurrection, in the presence of Mary and His disciples. Luke 24:36
Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Pray for Zeal for the Glory of God
Remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles, under the form of tongues of fire, in fulfillment of Christ's promise. Acts 2:1
Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
Pray for the Grace of a Holy Death
Remember the glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, when she was united with her Divine Son.
Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Pray for a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and trust in her intercession
Remember the glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son, to the great joy of all the Saints.
"When you pray Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now.... the
Blessed Mother comes instantly to your side to pray with you. And she does not
come alone. She brings angels with her. And not just one or two for she is the
Queen of Angels, so choirs of angels come with her. And she and Jesus are joined
at the heart and cannot be separated so she brings Jesus with her. And Jesus
cannot be separated from the Trinity so He brings the Father and the Holy Spirit
with Him. And where the Holy Trinity is all of creation is and you are
surrounded by such beauty and light as you cannot imagine in this life."
Father Gabriel Amorth