The Rosary
A. The History of the Rosary
The history of the Rosary is thought by scholars to go back almost 2,000 years. Back then, ancient desert dwellers used rocks, sticks, or knotted cords to count their prayers as they said them. Later on those prayers came to be known as a Rosary.
An early form of the Rosary was based on 150 Psalms, changing later to the recitation of the Our Father given to us by Jesus at the Last Supper.
Later, praying Our Fathers gave way to praying mostly Hail Marys, broken into decades (ten beads) separated by an Our Father.
The Hail Mary come to us from various Scripture passages, councils and prayer phrases down through the centuries. In the fifteenth century, Mysteries (events in the lives of Jesus and His mother Mary) begain to be mentioned at the beginning of each decade.
And so, the Rosary has grown to become a powerful prayer, being responsible for many miracles!
B. How to say the Rosary
The Rosary is divided into five decades. Each decade represents a mystery/event in the life of Jesus and/or His Mother Mary. There are three Mysteries of the Rosary: Sorrowful, Joyful, and Glorious.
During recitation of the Rosary, after making the sign of the cross and saying two Our Fathers and three Hail Marys, each decade requires meditation on a specific mystery, mentioned at the beginning - an event in the life of Jesus and/or His Mother Mary.
The Apostle’s Creed is said on the Crucifix; then comes an Our Father, three Hail Marys and another Our Father. Then proceed into the body of the Rosary. Begin by stating the mystery, and pray ten Hail Marys - thinking about each mystery. Before moving on to the next decade, say a Glory Be and an Our Father on the large bead separating each decade. At the end of the Rosary, finish by saying the Hail Holy Queen.
C. Prayers of the Rosary
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, 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, and is seated 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 life everlasting. Amen.
The 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.
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed are 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 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.
Hail Holy Queen
Hail! Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your 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.
* Prayer Requested By Our Lady
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, take all souls to Heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy.
Optional Prayer At The Beginning Of The Rosary
Queen of the Holy Rosary, you have designed to come to Fatima and Medjugorje, to reveal to the three shepherd children and six visionaries, the treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary. Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion, in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption which are recalled in it, I may obtain peace for the world, the conversion of sinners, and the favor which I ask of you in this Rosary (Mention your prayer request). I ask it for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls. Amen.
Optional Prayer To Say At the End Of the Rosary
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 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.
D. The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
First Joyful Mystery –
The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary.
The humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gabriel greeted her with these words: “Hail full of grace”. Luke 1:26
Second Joyful Mystery –
The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.
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.
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.
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.
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 Sorrowful Mysteries
First Sorrowful Mystery –
Agony of Jesus in the Garden.
Our Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani, suffering a bitter agony for our sins. Matthew 26:36
Second Sorrowful Mystery –
Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son,
to the great joy of all the Saints.
