THE ROSARY
Photo Credit: Mac Diarmada
According to Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Dominic c.1208 in Prouille, France and entrusted to him the Rosary, instructing him to preach it as a powerful weapon against heresy, particularly the Albigensians. While historical proof is debated, this tradition is central to the Dominican Order's spread of the devotion. The main entrance to the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes features the legend of the Virgin Mary giving the Rosary to St. Dominic de Guzman.
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​The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer that leads us to Jesus through Mary. The word rosary means garland of roses, which has been interpreted into the rosary of today, a string of beads. The Virgin Mary, also known as the Lady of the Rosary, urged everyone to pray the rosary to help people grow in their faith, convert sinners, and bring about world peace.​​​​​​​
Photo Credit: Mac Diarmada
Illuminated Crown on the Roary Basilica, Lourdes
The Rosary begins with the Apostles’ Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is drawn from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel’s words announcing Christ’s birth and Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ’s life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
The Rosary is central to Lourdes. In each of her 18 appearances, Mary held a rosary and prayed it with Bernadette. Mary's primary message at Lourdes was a call to prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners, with the Rosary as the means for that conversion.
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While Lourdes provides a unique setting for thousands of voices uniting in reciting the Rosary, countless others across the world meditate and pray on the mysteries of the rosary seeking Mary's intercession to God.
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The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is 7th October.
Photo Credit: Mac Diarmada
THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
The repetition in the Rosary leads us into restful and contemplative prayer. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ’s spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
The Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and, during the season of Advent, on Sundays:
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The Annunciation
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The Visitation
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The Nativity
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The Presentation in the Temple
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The Finding in the Temple
The Five Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and, during the season of Lent, on Sundays:
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The Agony in the Garden
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The Scourging at the Pillar
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The Crowning with Thorns
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The Carrying of the Cross
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The Crucifixion and Death
The Five Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and, outside the seasons of Advent and Lent, on Sundays:
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The Resurrection
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The Ascension
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The Descent of the Holy Spirit
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The Assumption
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The Coronation of Mary
The Five Luminous Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Thursdays:
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The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
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The Wedding Feast at Cana
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Jesus’ Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God
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The Transfiguration
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The Institution of the Eucharist​
Pope Saint John Paul II wrote:
“The Rosary is my favourite prayer. A marvellous prayer! Marvellous in its simplicity and its depth…
Against the background of the words ‘Hail Mary’ the principal events of the life of Jesus Christ pass before the eyes of the soul. They take shape in the complete series of the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries, and they put us in living communion with Jesus through
– we might say – the heart of his Mother."
Photo Credit: Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary
HOW TO RECITE THE ROSARY
On the 5 decades (sets of 10 beads) of a rosary, we pray and meditate on the corresponding set of 5 Mysteries from the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, or the Luminous Mysteries.
1a. Make the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
1b. The Apostle's 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence 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 the life everlasting. Amen.
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2. 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.
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3. Say 3 Hail Marys
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.
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4. Glory be to the Father
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.
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5. Announce the First Mystery
Then say the Our Father (2).
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6. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade
Say ten Hail Marys (3), while meditating on the Mystery.
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7. Glory be to the Father
After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy."
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8. Announce the Second Mystery
Then say the Our Father (2). Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.
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9. 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 vale 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. 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.
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Daily Mystery Meditations
The Mysteries traditionally adhere to certain days of the week.
Monday: Joyful
Tuesday: Sorrowful
Wednesday: Glorious
Thursday: Luminous
Friday: Sorrowful
Saturday: Joyful
Sunday: Glorious
