How to Pray the Rosary

(on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary)

The Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary and Our Lady of the Rosary
(Click image to enlarge)

Today, October 7th, is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

In honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, here are some instructions for anyone interested in learning how to pray the rosary.
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You don’t have to be Catholic to pray it, and you don’t have to have a rosary in your hand to do it, although it sure helps with the counting.  (You can use fingers, too!)
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The Holy Rosary is an extremely powerful prayer, to which many favors have been attributed.
It’s a spiritual mini-marathon treasured by Catholics, and often prayed daily.
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The rosary involves meditation on the Life of Christ, while praying a sequence of prayers which include the Our Father and the Hail Mary. There used to be 15 mysteries for mediation, until Pope John Paul the Great added another 5 to make 20.

 History of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary from Universalis:

The feast of the Holy Rosary was instituted by Pope Pius V to celebrate the anniversary of the defeat of the Turkish fleet at the battle of Lepanto on the first Sunday in October 1571, which ended the threat of Muslim domination of the Mediterranean and was ascribed in part to the prayers and processions of the Rosary confraternity in Rome.

Praying the Rosary

The  rosary is pictured above, and is prayed daily by many Catholics.  Your rosary should be blessed by a Catholic priest, and should be treated with love and respect.
When it gets old, it should be discarded with respect also; either bury it in the ground, or burn it.
Many fervent Catholics carry their rosary in their pockets wherever they go. A rosary can be prayed anywhere; in the car, in waiting rooms, or going for a walk.

Starting the Rosary

You start by making the Sign of the Cross.
Then, holding the crucifix in your fingers, pray the Apostle’s Creed.
Many kiss the crucifix before starting, or make the sign of the cross with the crucifix.

Move to the first bead, and pray the Our Father.
On the next three beads, pray three Hail Marys, followed by a Glory Be (on the chain) before the next bead.  The three Hail Marys often represent prayers for Faith, for Hope and for Charity.

The last bead (on the straight part of the rosary before the center piece) begins the first decade with an Our Father.  Then you move to the ten beads on the right of the center piece, on which you pray ten Hail Marys. During the first decade, you meditate on the first mystery.  The mysteries are listed below.

The rosary contains five decades, and as you pray each decade, you announce and meditate on one of the five mysteries for that day (see photo of rosary above).

Concluding the Rosary, and Variations

There are many variations and prayers added to the rosary, and customs vary from place to place.

Most people pray the Hail Holy Queen at the conclusion of the rosary, when you have returned to the center piece:

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!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Frequently the following prayer is also added:

Let us pray. 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.

Often, at the end of each decade (after the Glory Be) the Fatima Prayer is prayed:

“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.

The Mysteries

The mysteries are prayed as follows:

• The 5 Joyful mysteries on Mondays and Saturdays (and all Sundays of the Christmas Season)
• The 5 Sorrowful mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays (and on all Sundays of Lent)
• The 5 Glorious mysteries on Wednesdays and Sundays (except the Sundays of Lent and the Christmas Season)
• The 5 Luminous mysteries on Thursdays
  Mysteries listed individually below.

The Prayers

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 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 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.

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 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 art 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.

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, Amen. 

Mysteries of the Rosary:

MYSTERY
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES (Monday & Saturday,  also Sundays of Christmas Season)
......1.THE ANNUNCIATION Luke 1:35
......2.THE VISITATION Luke 1:39-56
...…3.THE NATIVITY Luke 2:1-20
......4.THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE Luke 2:22-39
......5.THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE Luke 2:41-50
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (Tuesday & Friday, also Sundays of Lent)
. . . 1.THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN Matthew 26:36-46 Mark 14:32-42 Luke 22:39-46
. . . 2.THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR Matthew 27:26 Mark 15:15 Luke 23:14-16 John 19:1
. . . 3.THE CROWNING WITH THORNS Matthew 27:27-30 Mark 14:16-19 John 19:2-3
. . . 4.THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS Matthew 27:31-33 Mark 15:20-22 Luke 23:26-32 John 19:16-17
. . . 5.THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF OUR LORD JESUS Matthew 27:34-56 Mark 15:23-41 Luke 23:33-49 John 19:18-30
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES Wednesday & Sunday (except Sundays of Lent and Christmas Season)
. . . 1. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FROM THE DEAD Matthew 28:1-15 Mark 16:1-13 Luke 24:1-12 John 20:1-18
. . . 2. THE ASCENSION OF JESUS INTO HEAVEN Mark 16:19020 Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1:9-11
. . . 3. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Acts 2:1-41
. . .. 4. THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY INTO HEAVEN (a Catholic belief since apostolic times; see EWTN library)
. . .. 5. THE CORONATION OF MARY Revelation 12:1; (doctrine explained at NCRegister)
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
. . . 1. THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD Matthew 3:13-17 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 3:21-22 John 1:32-34
. . . 2. THE WEDDING AT CANA John 2:1-12
. .3. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM Matthew 4:12-25;46 Mark 1:14 – 13:37 Luke 4:14 – 21:38 John 3:13 – 12:50
. . . 4. THE TRANSFIGURATION Matthew 17:1-8 Mark 9:1-12 Luke 9:28-36
. .5. THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST Matthew 26:26-29 Mark 14:22-25 Luke 22:14-20

Americans Pray for Freedom Across the Nation

Or

Fortnight For Freedom

Or

Come and Join Us!

 (Fortnight for Freedom, 7PM July 21st, 2012, at the Wisconsin State Capitol, on the State Street steps.) 

Background

The First Amendment

President Obama’s Contraceptive Mandate has violated the First Amendment, depriving Catholics in the United States of their freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, by forcing Catholics institutions to provide abortifacient pills to employees of Catholic institutions, forcing Catholics by law to do something Catholics believe to be morally wrong.

Women’s Issue?

This is not a “women’s health” issue, because the pills are as affordable as aspirin, tissues, and other medical supplies which have often been considered “over-the-counter,” and which have frequently not been covered by insurance policies in the past.  In fact, women use numerous products that are not, and are not likely ever to be covered by insurance, including cosmetics, lotions and sanitary products.  All of the “services” covered by the “Contraceptive Mandate” are extremely affordable, and any woman who can afford aspirin or a meal at McDonald’s can afford to pay for these items herself.

By choosing to mandate (to require by law) the free provision of abortifacient pills, the Obama administration is not trying to help women.  The administration is trying to place financial strain on the Catholic Church, which is one of the largest and strongest opponents of the Obama administration’s “social” agenda.  If Obama succeeds in pushing through ObamaCare and the Contraceptive Mandate, Catholic institutions will be forced by their conscience, like Saint Thomas More, to break the law.  Cathoilics will be forced into civil disobedience, into not providing abortifacient services, and then into paying $2,000 yearly penalties per employee, which are estimated to bankrupt most Catholic institutions within two years. Goodbye Catholic universities, Catholic High Schools, Catholic Grammar Schools, Catholic hospitals, Catholic soup kitchens, Catholic adoption agencies, etc., etc.  Goodbye the role that Catholics and their institutions have played in our national life since the birth of this nation.

Hello, one more segment of the economy that the Obama administration can take over, in addition to health care and General Motors.  Also, a blow to the Catholic Church, the largest (25% of Americans are Catholic), most organized and strongest institution involved in opposing the Obama administration’s “social” agenda, particularly abortion.  Two birds with one stone.  Isn’t the Obama administration wickedly clever!?

Obama’s strategy

The Obama administration’s biggest agenda, both nationally and worldwide, is abortion.  But they have realized from recent polls that Americans are increasingly opposed to abortion, and now a majority of Americans cannot be relied upon to support Obama’s, Hillary’s and Sebelius’ national and global abortion agenda.  To understand why abortion is so important to these people, see Abortion: a Much Bigger Deal Than You Think.

Since Americans are no longer likely to support the abortion agenda, the abortion agenda must be sneaked in under a less controversial issue, such as contraception. By sneaking in abortifacients under the phrase “Contraceptive Mandate,” the Obama administration hopes to get the support of the American majority against the Catholic Church.  It also hopes to divide the Catholic Church, and thus to reduce the power of the Catholic Church, rendering it less able to oppose Obama’s “social” (translated: moral) issues, such as abortion, gay marriage, and government funding of numerous medical strategies that facilitate promiscuity and discourage or demote traditional family life. Divide and conquer.  Isn’t the Obama administration wickedly clever!?

So Now, What’s Happening?

Americans Are Praying

So what do we do when the wicked set snares for us?

People praying the the Wisconsin State Capitol on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 10, 2012

Good Christians pray for God’s help:

For my eyes are upon you, O Lord,
in you I take refuge; do not take away my soul.
Guard me from the trap they have set before me,
From the snares of evildoers.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While only I pass over them safely.
– Psalm 141:8-10

When and Where?

Starting Tomorrow!

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has organized a national 2-week prayer effort, the Fortnight for Freedom, which starts tomorrow, June 21^st, 2012.  It begins on the feasts of St. Thomas More  and St. John Fisher, who gave their lives for religious freedom. The Fortnight for Freedom ends on July 4^th, our American Independence Day.

The bishops have called us to focus “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” for religious liberty during this time.
Special prayers, novenas, Masses, rosaries, and concerted ringing of Church bells, are planned.  Friday, June 28^th, the Priestly Ordination Mass will be dedicated to Religious Freedom through Fortnight for Freedom:

Diocese of Madison, WI announcements, events and details (click).

USCCB National announcements, events and details (click).

What’s Going On in Madison?

In Madison, this begins with a Capitol Rosary Rally on Thursday, June 21^st, 2012, at the Wisconsin State Capitol at 7:00 PM, on the State Street Steps of the Capitol Building.
Madison’s Bishop Morlino will join the first rosary event.

Rosary rallies will be held at the Madison Capitol every Thursday at 7 PM, through November 1^st, 2012, until the General election.

Come and Join Us!

Come to help us Catholics pray, or come to watch, or come just to lend Catholics moral support.  You don’t have to pray the rosary to attend; you only have to be in support of religious freedom for all Americans, and be willing to ask God’s help.  Catholics happen to be the largest religious denomination in the United States, and are thus able to organize, but all who support religious freedom are welcome to attend.

Why Pray? Why the Rosary?

Catholics have found the Rosary to be a particularly powerful form of prayer throughout the ages.  The victory of Christian forces which prevented the Islamic invasion of Europe at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 was attributed to Pope Pius V’s call for all of Europe to pray the rosary.  The Christian fleet was at a material disadvantage, and the Turkish fleet had superior numbers, yet the Christian fleet won.

At the hour of victory, Pope Pius V, who was hundreds of miles away at the Vatican, is said to have gotten up from a meeting, went over to a window, and exclaimed with supernatural radiance: “The Christian fleet is victorious!” and shed tears of thanksgiving to God.  – EWTN library 

The Battle of Lepanto was first celebrated liturgically as “Our Lady of Victory,” and was later renamed “Our Lady of the Rosary.”

Aside: to address some of the misinformation out there about Catholics, Catholics do not worship or deify Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.  They simply ask her assistance in pleading with her Son Christ, much as a child might ask their mother’s intercession when they ask their father for something.  Catholics presume that Christ has a soft spot in His heart for his Mother.

Isn’t the Rosary a repetitive prayer condemned by the Bible?

Pope John Paul II: “The rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at a heart a Christ-centered prayer. It has all the depth of the gospel message in its entirety. "

No, the Rosary is not simply a repetitive prayer.  It is a complex form of meditation, in which many of the events of Christ’s life and passages from the New Testament are contemplated.  The Rosary is a prayer that gives structure to the complex series of meditations that are going on in the hearts and minds of those who are reciting the rosary.

The Bible passage most often quoted by those who object to the rosary is Matthew 6:7, which objects to “empty phrases” and to “vain repetitions.” Neither of these applies to the rosary, which is neither empty nor vain.  Jesus Christ Himself used serious repetitive prayer during the Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:39-44) and Christ instructed people to be persistent in their prayer (Luke 18:1-8).  More information.

Americans Have Been Praying
Before this Most Recent Effort

Americans have been praying for our government for quite some time now.  Many denominations are organizing and praying; please send in prayer programs and references if you want them added to this list.  Most of my references are Catholic, since that is what I know best.

Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rallies across the U.S.

March 23, 2012 Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally, also Madison’s Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally

Madison’s novena prior to the June 8, 2012 Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally

National headcount for June 8, 2012 Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rallies

Interfaith Novena:  – 9 days of interfaith prayer leading up to the June 8, 2012 Stand Up For Religious Freedom rally.

When will the media do their job, report on these national grass roots events, and give poor me a vacation from trying to compensate for their news blackouts?

Hey, Wisconsin State Journal (and all the rest of the media out there): I searched your site for “Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally” and it came up with Your search did not yield any results.
Really. Not surprised.
We’ll include some prayers for conscientious reporting by the U.S. media tomorrow, too.

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Hat’s off to some media who do have articles on the Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rallies or Fortnight For Freedom this week:

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Catholic Free Press
National Catholic Reporter
Family Institute of Connecticut Blog
Colorado Catholic Herald
AfricanAmreicanConservatives
TheCatholic Commentator……
added : WALL STREET JOURNAL just covered Fortnight for Freedom
added: CNS News covers Forthnight for Freedom

…. mostly religious, small and/or conservative organizations.

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Boo to ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN; 160,000 people have been rallying in 161 cities across the US for religious freedom, and ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN gave us a news blackout.

Expecting a media blackout again for Fortnight for Freedom, but God plans to listen.

 Remember: Come to the Fortnight For Freedom, 7PM Thursday, June 21st, 2012, on the State Street steps of Wisconsin’s Capitol Building in Madison!

Added after the event: Some AUDIO resources for those who are interested in understanding what is in the Mandate and why the Catholic Church is concerned:

• Bishop Morlino’s comments at Thursday’s Rosary Rally (60 minutes, including prayer of 15 decades of the rosary, 6-21-12)

• Bishop Morlino’s Homily at Friday’s Mass (6-22-12)

• Bishop Paul Swain (a lawyer), at Madison’s Thomas More Society (6-22-12)