A guide to praying The Rosary

Transcription

1 A guide to praying The Rosary Reflections adapted from: Meditations on the Rosary Based on the Message of Pope Francis for the XXXI WYD Krakow For full meditations go to

2 The Joyful Mysteries The Annunciation Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Lk 1:28 - Pray that the Year of Mercy will allow us to be astonished by God's grace and not ask: is it possible, but how will this happen, Lord? The Visitation When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the child leaped in her womb Lk 1:41-42 Mary went with haste to Elizabeth as she wanted to help, attend, and accompany her. Let us pray that in meditating on and practicing works of mercy we do them always with love, with Christ, who like in the tabernacle was pleased to dwell in the human heart. The Nativity Mary gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. Lk 2:7. Let us pray that, listening to the will of God, we would allow the Lord to work and use us to be messenger of love & mercy. May our lives be witness of God on earth. The Presentation When the time came they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Lk 2:22 Let us pray that we spare no time, strength and talents trusting ourselves to God who is Merciful, selflessly serve those to whom the Lord sends us. The Finding in the Temple After three days they found him in the temple, and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Lk 2:46-47 Let us pray that in every circumstance we look for Him stubbornly and persistently, especially in the Church. God is always by our side, it is only we who sometimes lose sight of Him

3 The Mysteries of Light The Baptism of the Lord When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and behold, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Mt 3:16-17 Let us pray that the holy time of jubilee will become for us a time of reconciliation, and would help us to newly read about and take on the mission that the Lord entrusts to each of us. The Wedding Feast at Cana His mother said to the servants, Do whatever he tells you. Jn 2:5 Great works demand making sacrifices, but sometimes we reach a wall. Let us pray that we like Mary know how to humbly show this situation to Jesus and that we strongly believe that even out of the greatest failure, He is able to produce the most unexpected good. The Preaching of the Kingdom & Call to Conversion The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel. Mk 1:15 Proclaiming the Gospel, forgiving, carrying out His will when we do these things, we are never alone. Jesus walks ahead of us, taking our steps before us, preparing the way. The Transfiguration He was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. Mt 17:2 Each of us desires to feel the presence of God, His love in and among us. We are in need of faith to know witness His glory, hear His voice and experience the transformative power of God. The Institution of the Eucharist [Jesus] took bread, blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, Take; this is my body. [Jesus] took a chalice, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. Mk 14: Let us pray that frequent participation in the Holy Mass would expand our hearts, enrich our strength and enable us to give ourselves to our neighbours.

4 The Sorrowful Mysteries The Agony in the Garden Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mt 26:41 Let us pray that in our pursuit of justice, we would never forget that mercy is its perfect fulfilment and something even greater. The Scourging at the Pillar Pilate said I am innocent of this righteous man s blood...and having scourged Jesus delivered him to be crucified. Mt 27:24, 26 If Jesus, though suffering as an innocent, forgave his persecutors, how much more should we! Let us pray for the grace of looking at each person with the merciful eyes of Jesus. The Crowning with Thorns They stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. Mt 27:28-29 God identified Himself with each of us, especially when we suffer, become sick, or are impoverished. Let us pray for merciful eyes and hearts, for the grace of being close to those, who are not doing well. The Crucifixion But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jn 19:25 The cross is the most eloquent sign of God s mercy! It tells us that the measure of God s love for humanity is to love without measure! Sometimes, in the face our own weakness, we can only call for God s help. May we have as much humility and crazy hope as the good thief. God is waiting to give us everything! The Carrying of the Cross So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull. Jn 19:17 Do you realize how precious you are to God, who has given you everything out of love? Jesus did not at any point stop loving those who put the cross on His shoulders, and later nailed Him to it. Let us pray that we would be able to have mercy on ourselves and others just like God is merciful.

5 The Glorious Mysteries The Resurrection Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here. Mk 16:5-6. Because of the power of His Resurrection, can be instruments of peace, witnesses of mercy, proclaimers of the fullness of life, which is eternal, and is given freely. The Ascension So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mk 16:19. Carry with you the flame of Christ s merciful love in every sphere of your daily life and to the very ends of the earth. Let us pray for the courage of being able to take on the works that the Lord gives us to make us even more happy and fulfilled. The Descent of the Holy Spirit There appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. Acts 2:3. Let us faithfully listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and may all of our lives flow out of His inspiration. In this way, led by the Spirit of Jesus, we will certainly experience mercy, and in the community of the Church, we will find that which our hearts desire. The Assumption My beloved speaks...to me: Arise, my love, my dove, my fair one, and come away for behold the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. Song 2: Let us pray, that reflecting upon the mystery of Mary s life and that of Her Son, we would desire to spread the Kingdom of God on earth. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary A great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Rev 12:1. As we try to be guided by Jesus instructions in our daily life, let us ask the Mother of Mercy for help. It is she who by her maternal charity [takes] care of the brethren of her Son who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home

6 How to Pray the Rosary 1) Begin by making the Sign of the Cross. 2) Holding the crucifix pray the Apostles Creed. 3) On the first bead pray the Our Father. 4) On the next three beads pray the Hail Mary. 5) On the last bead pray the Glory Be. 6) Introduce the first mystery & pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & the Glory Be.. 7) Repeat until the five decades are prayed. 8) Pray the Hail, Holy Queen. 9) Finish by making the Sign of the Cross.

7 The Prayers of the Rosary Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 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; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will 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 your name, Your kingdom come, Your 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 you: blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the be-ginning, 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, most gracious advocate, your 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.

8 Suggested Schedule for Praying the Rosary The Joyful Mysteries - Monday and Saturday The Sorrowful Mysteries - Tuesday and Friday The Glorious Mysteries - Wednesday and Sunday The Luminous Mysteries - Thursday Twelve Tips for Praying the Family Rosary Daily 1. Pray using alternation (The parent prays first half of Our Father and everyone else prays second half same goes for Hail Mary and Glory be). 2. Pray the Rosary after dinner but right before bed this means homework needs to be finished before dinner since this is the ideal window of praying together as a family. 3. Pray the Holy Rosary always at the same place at the exact same time. Devotions become strong by custom and habit. 4. Pray the Rosary in a special room and set up a little altar with a Bible on it, candles, a statue or image, holy water, or a relic. 5. Dim the lights and light the candles when you begin. If you let the little ones light the candles they will love it. Kids love fire. Make this a special time different from other times. 6. Maybe begin with a hymn or quiet music to slow things down and set the tone. 7. The parent sets the example. They will watch how you do it. 8. Make a rule that the child who prays all the responses and volunteers to lead a mystery (10 beads) gets to stay up 10 minutes more than everyone that night some may need this sort of incentive! 9. The one who gets to stay up also gets to blow out the candle at the end. This gives another incentive to pray the prayers especially for the younger ones. 10. End with praying to everyone s patron saint (your children s names, confirmation names, and other patrons). E.g. Saint Thomas: pray for us. 11. If family Rosary is new, start with one decade for a week. Then go to three for a week. Then go to five decades on the third week. Then don t ever stop. 12. After the daily Rosary is established in your home, have each child introduce a mystery and pray the whole decade. This gives confidence in praying and makes it natural!