Introduction to the Holy Rosary

1. Introduction to the Holy Rosary Wharton Catholic Club http://clubs.wharton.upenn.edu/catholic February 22, 2005

2. Introduction to the Rosary • Name: “a crown of roses” • Description:The Rosary is made up of twenty "mysteries" (significant events or moments in the life of Jesus and Mary), which are grouped into four series: 5 Joyful, 5 Luminous, 5 Sorrowful, and 5 Glorious. • History • A Most Powerful Prayer: Testimonies • Add to your prayer repertoire/arsenal • Recommended Sources • http://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/index_rosary.htm • http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/rosary/

3. Introduction to the Rosary Why pray the Rosary today? Some quotes from EWTN: • “Certainly, to grow in holiness and in one's prayer life. The following are a few other reasons why the rosary should be prayed often, even daily”: • "Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been so favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary" (Pope Pius IX). • "Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world" (Our Lady of Fátima). • "There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the family . . . than the daily recitation of the Rosary" (Pope Pius XII). • "We do not hesitate to affirm again publicly that we put great confidence in the Holy Rosary for the healing of evils of our times" (Pope Pius XII). • "No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary" (Bishop Hugh Doyle). • "The Rosary is a magnificent and universal prayer for the needs of the Church, the nations and the entire world" (Pope John XXIII). • "The Rosary is the compendium of the entire Gospel" (Pope Paul VI quoting Pope Pius XII). • "Meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary . . . can be an excellent preparation for the celebration of those same mysteries in the liturgical actions [i.e. the Mass] and can also become a continuing echo thereof" (Pope Paul VI). • "My impression is that the Rosary is of the greatest value not only according to the words of Our Lady at Fátima, but according to the effects of the Rosary one sees throughout history. My impression is that Our Lady wanted to give ordinary people, who might not know how to pray, this simple method of getting closer to God" (Sister Lucia, one of the seers of Fátima). • "How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening" (Pope John Paul II). • Pope John Paul II has called the Rosary his "favorite prayer," after the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. • St. Louis de Montfort warns us against both the ignorant and scholars who regard the Rosary as something of little importance..."the Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God."

4. Sorrowful Mysteries Often prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays. During Lent it is also often prayed on Sundays. The five sorrowful mysteries reflect on the events of Christ’s Passion, His twelve hours of suffering before dying on the Cross.“The Gospels give great prominence to the Sorrowful Mysteries of Christ. From the beginning, Christian piety, especially during the Lenten devotion of the Way of the Cross, has focused on the individual moments of the Passion, realizing that here is found the culmination of the revelation of God’s love and the source of our salvation.” -- JPII Shall we begin?

5. Opening Prayers 1. Holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles Creed. Sign of the CrossIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Optional IntentionsWe offer this rosary for the following intentions…(describe) Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

6. Opening Prayers 2. Say the “Our Father.” 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.

7. Opening Prayers 3. Say three “Hail Marys” For an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and love: 3 Hail Marys 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.

8. Opening Prayers 4. Say 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, world without end. Amen.

9. First Sorrowful Mystery Announce the First Mystery, its optional description and its fruit. The Agony in the Garden Optional Description: "Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.' And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will"' (Mt 26:36-39). "Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the Tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony" (CCC, 2849). Fruit of this mystery: SORROW FOR SIN

10. First Sorrowful Mystery Then say the Our Father. The Agony in the Garden 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. Fruit of this mystery: SORROW FOR SIN

11. First Sorrowful Mystery Say ten “Hail Marys”, while meditating on the Mystery. The Agony in the Garden 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. Fruit of this mystery: SORROW FOR SIN

12. First Sorrowful Mystery Conclude the mystery with the Glory be and the Fatima prayer. The Agony in the Garden Glory BeGlory 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. Fatima PrayerO my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Fruit of this mystery: SORROW FOR SIN

13. Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging at the Pillar Optional description:"Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe; they came up to him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and struck him with their hands" (Jn 19:1-3). "Jesus' sufferings took their historical, concrete form from the fact that he was 'rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes' (Mk 8:31 ), who 'handed him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified' (Mt 20:19)" (CCC, 572). Fruit of this mystery: PURITY

14. Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging at the Pillar 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. Fruit of this mystery: PURITY

15. Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging at the Pillar Ten Hail Marys 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. Fruit of this mystery: PURITY

16. Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging at the Pillar Glory BeGlory 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. Fatima PrayerO my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Fruit of this mystery: PURITY

17. Third Sorrowful Mystery Crowning with Thorns Optional Description:"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And 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. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!"' (Mt 27:27-29). "It is love 'to the end' (Jn 13:1 ) that confers on Christ's sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life" (CCC, 616). Fruit of this mystery: COURAGE

18. Third Sorrowful Mystery Crowning with Thorns 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. Fruit of this mystery: COURAGE

19. Third Sorrowful Mystery Crowning with Thorns Ten Hail Marys 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. Fruit of this mystery: COURAGE

20. Third Sorrowful Mystery Crowning with Thorns Glory BeGlory 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. Fatima PrayerO my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Fruit of this mystery: COURAGE

21. Fourth Sorrowful Mystery Carrying of the Cross Optional Description:"And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull)" (Mk 15:21-22). "By accepting in his human will that the Father's will be done, he accepts his death as redemptive, for 'he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree' (1 Pt 2:24)" (CCC, 612). Fruit of this mystery: PATIENCE

22. Fourth Sorrowful Mystery Carrying of the Cross 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. Fruit of this mystery: PATIENCE

23. Fourth Sorrowful Mystery Carrying of the Cross Ten Hail Marys 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. Fruit of this mystery: PATIENCE

24. Fourth Sorrowful Mystery Carrying of the Cross Glory BeGlory 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. Fatima PrayerO my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Fruit of this mystery: PATIENCE

25. Fifth Sorrowful Mystery The Crucifixion Optional Description:"And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' ... It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this he breathed his last" (Lk 23:33-46). "'Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures' (1 Cor 15:3)" (CCC, 619). Fruit of this mystery: PERSEVERANCE

26. Fifth Sorrowful Mystery The Crucifixion 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. Fruit of this mystery: PERSEVERANCE

27. Fifth Sorrowful Mystery The Crucifixion Ten Hail Marys 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. Fruit of this mystery: PERSEVERANCE

28. Fifth Sorrowful Mystery The Crucifixion Glory BeGlory 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. Fatima PrayerO my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Fruit of this mystery: PERSEVERANCE

29. Hail Holy Queen Finish by saying the “Hail, Holy Queen”, and the Sign of the Cross. 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 towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy 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.