The Most Holy Rosary
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On the anniversary of Pope John Paul II
beginning the twenty-fifth year of his pontificate, His Holiness issued an Apostolic
Letter On The Most Holy Rosary. READ
APOSTOLIC LETTER |
THE MOST
HOLY ROSARY
( To print out just the prayers and mysteries click here )
2002, Diocese of
Altoona-Johnstown, Liturgy Office,
124 Logan Boulevard, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania 16648.
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The rosary of the Virgin
Mary, which gradually took form in the second millennium under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit of God, is a prayer loved by countless Saints and encouraged by the Church Simple
yet profound, it still remains, at the dawn of the third millennium, a prayer of great
significance. The rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric
prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its
entirety. As we pray the rosary, we contemplate
Christ with Mary. If the Liturgy, as the activity of Christ and the Church, is a saving
action par excellence, the rosary too, as a meditation with Mary on Christ, is a salutary
contemplation. By immersing us in the mysteries of the Redeemer’s life, it ensures
that what he has done and what the Liturgy makes present is profoundly assimilated and
shapes our existence. |
For the rosary to become more fully a
compendium of the Gospel, it is fitting to add, following reflection on the Incarnation
and the hidden life of Christ (the joyful mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings
of his Passion (the sorrowful mysteries) and the triumph of his Resurrection (the glorious
mysteries), a meditation on certain particularly significant moments in his public
ministry (the mysteries-of Light). The addition of these new mysteries is meant to give
the rosary fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the rosary’s place within
Christian spirituality as a true doorway to the depths of the heart of Christ, ocean of
joy and of light, of suffering and of glory.
Each of the mysteries of light is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the
very person of Jesus.
The first mystery of light is:
- THE BAPTISM OF
THE LORD IN THE JORDAN.
The second mystery of light is:
- THE FIRST OF THE SIGNS
AT THE WEDDING OF CANA.
The third mystery of light is:
- THE CALL TO CONVERSION IN THE LORD’S
PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
The fourth mystery of light is:
The fifth mystery of light is:
- THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST.
Pope John Paul II recommends the four mysteries be divided throughout the week
in the following way: Monday and Saturday be dedicated to the joyful mysteries; Tuesday
and Friday reflect on the sorrowful mysteries; Wednesday and Sunday be times to meditate
on the glorious mysteries; and Thursday be the day to pray the mysteries of light. This
indication is not intended to limit the rightful freedom in personal and community prayer,
where account needs to be taken of spiritual and pastoral needs and of the occurrence of
particular liturgical celebrations which might call for suitable adaptations.
What is really important is that the rosary should always be seen and
experienced as a path of contemplation. In the rosary, in a way similar to what takes
place in the Liturgy, the Christian week, centered on Sunday, the day of Resurrection,
becomes a journey through the mysteries of the life of Christ. The mysteries of light
direct our meditation on the public ministry of Christ.
2002, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown,
Liturgy Office,
124 Logan Boulevard, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania 16648.
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( To print out just the prayers and mysteries click here )
HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY
(1) While holding the Crucifix in the hand,
recite the Apostles’ Creed.
(2) On the first bead, recite the Our Father.
(3) On the three small beads recite the Hail Mary
for an increase of faith, hope and charity.
(4) Call to mind the first Mystery and reflect
upon it; then recite on the large bead the Our Father.
(5) On the ten small beads, recite the Hail Mary,
keeping in mind the mystery.
(6) Recite the Glory be to the Father.
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 rose again
from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sits 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
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.
HAIL MARY
HAIL MARY, full of grace; the Lord
is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Marv, 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.
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THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
(Monday and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation
of Our Lord
MEDITATION: The angel said to Mary, "You
shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. And He will be called Son of
the Most High."
Luke 1, 31-32
2. The Visitation
MEDITATION: "Blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s
words to her would be fulfilled." Luke 1,
42 & 45
3. The Nativity of Jesus
MEDITATION: While Mary and Joseph were in
Bethlehem, she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and
laid Him in a manger.
Luke 2, 6-7
4. The Presentation in the
Temple
MEDITATION: When the day came to purify them
according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem so the He
could be presented to the Lord.
Luke 2, 22
5. The Finding in the
Temple
MEDITATION: They came upon Him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who
heard Him were amazed.
Luke 2, 46-47
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THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
(Tuesday and Friday)
1. The Agony in the Garden
MEDITATION: Jesus went with them to a place
called Gethsemani. He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer. "My Father if
it is possible, let this cup pass me by."
Mt. 26, 36-39
2. The Scourging at the
Pillar
MEDITATION: The people said, "Let his
blood be upon us and upon our children." At that, he released Barabas to them. Jesus
however, he first had scourged.
Mt. 27, 25-26
3. The Crowning with
Thorns
MEDITATION: They stripped off his clothes and
wrapped him in a scarlet cloak. Weaving a crown of thorns, they fixed it on his head and
began to mock him.
Mt 27, 28-29
4. The Carrying of
the Cross
MEDITATION: Jesus was lead away, and carrying
the cross by himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull. There they
crucified him.
John 19, 17-18
5. The Crucifixion
and Death
MEDITATION: The curtain in the sanctuary was
torn in two, Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, "Father, into Your hands I commend my
spirit." After this, he expired.
Luke 23, 45-46
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
(Wendesdays and Sundays)
1. The Resurrection of Our
Lord
MEDITATION: The angel spoke, "Do not be
frightened. I know you are looking for Jesus the crucified, but he is not here. He has
been raised, exactly as he promised."
Mt. 28, 5-6
2. The Ascension
into Heaven
MEDITATION: He then led them out near Bethany,
and with hands upraised, blessed them. As he blessed, he left them, and was taken up to
heaven.
Luke 24, 50-51
3. The Descent of
the Holy Spirit
MEDITATION: Tongues as of fire appeared which
parted and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 2, 6-7
4. The Assumption
of Mary into heaven
MEDITATION: May you be blessed, my daughter, by
God most high, beyond all women on earth; and may the Lord God be blessed, the Creator of
heaven and earth.
Judith 13, 18
5. The Coronation
of Mary
MEDITATION: A great sign appeared in the sky, a
woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve
stars.
Rev 12, 1
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THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT
(Thursdays)
1.
The Baptism of the LORD in the Jordan.
MEDITATION: Jesus descends
into the water of the Jordan River and is baptized by John. The heavens open and the voice
of the Father declares Him the beloved Son. The Spirit descends upon Jesus in the form of
a dove and fills Him with God's mission to save humankind from sin.
Matthew 3:17 |
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| 2.
The first of the signs at the wedding at Cana.
MEDITATION: Jesus changes
water into wine at the request of Mary,who was first among believers. The disciples
witness this miracle, their hearts open to the faith, and they begin to believe in Him.
John 2: 1-12 |
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| 3.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
MEDITATION: Jesus
preaches the Gospel in Galilee. He proclaims that this is the time of fulfillment, for the
Kingdom of God is at hand. He asks all to repent and forgives the sins of those who
believe in Him.
Mark 1: 15 |
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| 4.
The Transfiguration.
MEDITATION: On
Mount Tabor, the Apostles see the glory of God shining forth from the face of Jesus. The
voice of the Father, coming from a cloud, says "This is my chosen Son, listen to Him.
Luke 9: 35 |
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5. The Institution of
the Eucharist.
MEDITATION:
At the Last Supper, Jesus offers His body and blood, symbolized by the bread and wine, and
washes the feet of the Apostles. He knows that Judas has betrayed Him and His hour has
come. Jesus testifies to His everlasting love for each one of us by sharing the Sacrament
of the Eucharist.
John 13: 1
At the conclusion of the
Rosay pray the following prayers:
HAIL HOLY QUEEN
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; hail 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, most
gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE
Let us pray:
That strength and courage abundant be given
to all those who struggle for justice and peace; That all will come to see more clearly
not that which divides them, but that which unites them; That all will come to recognize
God’s love and grace for all his children, regardless of faith or creed; That war
becomes unnecessary as we all join in fulfilling this prayer, and that the blessings of
peace be ours - the peace to build and grow, to live in harmony and sympathy with others,
and to plan for the future with confidence.
Mary, Queen of
Peace, pray for us.
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