First let us ask ourselves why pray at all? Prayer is not a magic formula to get what we want. Prayer unites us to God. That is its purpose. Through prayer we speak and listen to God and to His will for us. We don't impress Him with long or superficial prayers. Good prayer, prayer that comes from the heart unites us with God. The Lord wants that the Spirit teaches us to pray and finally that he prays in us. All good forms of prayer should give the Spirit room to pray in us. Hence the importance of silence and recollection when we pray.
In the rosary we unite ourselves to God through the meditation of 20 biblical episodes (4th and 5th Glorious are implicit) called mysteries. Through Our Lady's eyes we view the life of Christ, The Annunciation of Gabriel, the Visitation of Our Lady who carries Jesus, Jesus' Birth, his Presentation in the Temple, his finding in the Temple and so on. We can meditate on the words of the prayers or on the mystery because all are inspired and be brought into a deeper union with the each of the persons of the Trinity. Our Lady is the perfect teacher of prayer and unity with God as she is the perfect daughter of the Father, the perfect Mother of the Son and the perfect spouse of the Holy Spirit. Her vocation is to guide us to Christ and that she will surely do if we listen to her.
Our Lady recommended the prayer of the rosary to the three children in Fatima as an effective means to stop and prevent wars. The rosary has given consolation to countless people suffering from illness, depression, temptation and loneliness as well as uniting couples and families. It has helped many discover their vocations and has protected them on their way to God.
Another reason why so many people have turned to the Rosary throughout history is
due to the fact that many of the holiest people in history have relied on the Rosary
continuously for help and protection throughout their lives, and these people consistently
recommended it openly to everyone
during their lifetimes as well. An example of some
popular advocates of the Rosary are countless saints. The daily recitation of the
Rosary was the practice of St. Dominic, St. Louis King of France, St. Vincent de
Paul, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Francis de Sales, St. Francis Xavier, St. John Vianney,
St. Anthony Mary Claret, St. Louis de Montfort, and others whose aim was to live
a perfectly holy life. An example of how these Saints felt about the Rosary is reflected
in this quote from St. Louis de Montfort: "If you say the Rosary faithfully until
death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive
a never fading crown of glory."
"The Rosary is the 'weapon' for these times."
Saint Padre Pio
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot solve
by the prayer of the Holy Rosary."
Sister Lucia, of the seers of Fatima
The Holy Rosary
|
Joyful |
Luminous |
Sorrowful |
Glorious |
|
The Annunciation |
The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan |
The Agony in the Garden |
The Resurrection |
|
The Visitation |
The Wedding Feast at Cana |
The Scourging at the Pillar |
The Ascencion |
|
The Birth of our Lord |
The Proclamation of the Kingdom and the Call to Repentance |
The Crowning with Thorns |
The Descent of the Holy Spirit |
|
The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple |
The Transfigurati on |
The Carrying of the Cross |
The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven |
|
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple |
The Institution of the Eucharist |
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus |
The Crowning of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven |
Rosary
in the Parish Church
Monday - Saturday
at 9.45am
Before 10.00 am Mass
- Make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles Creed.
- Offer an Our Father, 3 Hail Marys and one Glory Be for the Pope’s Intentions
- Announce the First Mystery
- Pray one Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and one Glory Be.
- Recite the Fatima Prayer: Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
- Repeat steps 4 - 5 for each of the four remaining mysteries
- After the Rosary pray the following
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 valley 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.
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.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Oh Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
For a printable guide to the Rosary, click here
For a lovely printable colouring page on the rosary for children, click here