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What Does Praying the Rosary Mean?
Praying the rosary involves using a string of beads called a rosary as a tool for keeping track of prayers. People either hold or wear the rosary while they pray and touch an individual bead when they pray each individual prayer, moving their hands from one bead to the next to help them focus their minds on each prayer. As they do so, they meditate on the meaning and significance of each prayer. The Catholic rosary consists of a series of 20 prayers and is typically prayed in a specific sequence, with each prayer being recited in turn. Many of the traditional Catholic rosary prayers are directed to Mary. Fortunately, rosary prayers can be directed to God, rather than to Mary.
In addition, people often use the rosary as a form of communal prayer. Many people pray the rosary together as a group, either in a church setting or in a more informal setting such as household worship at the home altar, or a prayer meeting. Praying the rosary as a group can create a sense of unity and shared purpose, as well as providing an opportunity for people to support one another in prayer. “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am in the midst of them”
Why the Rosary?
Far from an artifact of Vatican II Heresy, the Rosary originated in the 4th century with the Desert Fathers of Egypt. These were Ascetic monks, the earliest monastics, who used the beads to concentrate as they led a life of quiet contemplation, reading all 150 Psalms daily. Each prayer of the litany has been developed from the truth of scripture by countless devoted over millennia. Everyone is steeped in the spirit-inspired light and beauty which has made the rosary a daily ritual for half a billion Christians across the globe.Today the repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer on the word of God. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. By giving us something tangible to hold, and a litany of prayers the beads us to make time for prayer, slow down, and take the time to internalize our devotions. Another reason to pray the rosary is for its meditative qualities. The repetition of prayers and the movement of the beads can help to create a sense of calm and focus, allowing the person praying to experience a peaceful state of mind and enter into a deep state of prayer and meditation.These prayers help God speak to us through the text while keeping our hearts and minds focused on him. Taken together, many attest that the Rosary is responsible for revolutionizing their prayer life and relationship with God.
To begin, we make the sign of the cross while holding the crucifix. This reminds us to keep and revere the Word and Persons of God with all our mind, our lips, ourheart, and our soul.From there we make our daily confession and atonement. Proceed to recite each prayer in succession while grasping the respective bead for concentration.
Confessions
Why Confess?
Before the Levitic Priests entered the tabernacle, they presented a sin offering to consecrate themselves before YHWH. God’s way into His presence was always through the tabernacle, which pictures Jesus Christ. Therefore, under the universal priesthood of all believers, we should first confess our sins to consecrate ourselves before entering communion with the Holy of Holies. James 5:16 establishes the shared confession of believers. From the 2nd Century this was traditionally held at least once a year before Easter, our day of Atonement. The Rosary may be said privately or in a group, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Lord Jesus Christ, I come before You with a contrite heart, acknowledging my sins and shortcomings. In the presence of Your divine mercy, I humbly acknowledge the sins known to me. I confess those actions, thoughts, and words that have embarrassed me from Your grace. I have fallen short of Your perfect love. I acknowledge my weaknesses and the times I have strayed from Your path. Father, I have been guilty of... (Take a moment to reflect and confess specific sins.)
Lord Jesus, I ask for Your forgiveness and mercy. I repent of my sins, knowing that through Your sacrifice on the cross, I am reconciled to the Father. Grant me the strength to turn away from sin and walk in Your righteousness.
In Your infinite mercy, cleanse me, O Lord, from all my iniquities. Heal the wounds of my soul and strengthen me to resist temptation. Renew in me a steadfast spirit and a fervent love for You.
I also seek forgiveness for the sins I may have committed unknowingly or out of ignorance. Forgive me for the times I have failed to love my neighbor as myself, neglected acts of charity, and missed opportunities to be a witness of Your love and truth.
Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. In Your name, Lord Jesus, I offer this confession, trusting in Your abundant mercy and confident in Your promise of purity. Amen.
The Apostles' creed (Origins C. 125)
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 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 life is everlasting. Amen.
The Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
They 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.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever.
Amen
The Hail YHWH (C. 7th C, Adapted from the scriptural sources of the ‘Hail Mary’)
1-3X on the center bead
Hail YHWH, full of grace, the Lord with us;
Blessed are you O Holy God,
And blessed is the fruit of your Spirit through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy Holy Son of God,
Pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
The Glory Be (The Doxology, Adapted from Jewish Kabbalah C. 1st C AD)
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
Your age without end.
Amen.
Mennonite Alt.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen
The Hail Holy King (The Salve Regina, C. 11th C)
Hail, holy King, Father of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Adam;
To you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious savior,
Your eye of mercy toward us;
And after this, our exile,
Show unto us the blessed fruit of your creation, O Lord.
O clement, O loving, O sweet loving Father God.
Amen.
Prayers
We may say these prayers alone or in fellowship on the first medallion with each pause followed by the refrain "Lord, hear my/our prayer." Prayers may be said as lists, recitations, or scriptures such as Psalms of praise or Thanksgiving. The medallion is revered as a typology of the believer's clemency and piety, not an icon of saintly intercession (see Luke 1:46-55). The Litany is useful for remembering all our prayers (written or not) and all the things we ought to pray for.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts who was and is and is to come!; the whole earth is full of his glory! Worthy of endless praise and adoration, the God of grace and glory, reigning in eternal majesty, I humbly approach, Lifting my voice up to heaven in heartfelt praise and worship.
[Pause for praise]
Gracious Father, through Your Son, You have liberated us from sin's chains, bringing us into a new and joyful age. As the psalmist declared, "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." (Psalm 30:11) With hearts overflowing with gratitude, we celebrate Your boundless blessings, Your cleansing blood, and the renewal of Your Holy Spirit.
[Pause for personal thanksgiving]
Father, in humble supplication, I lift my needs and cares to You, knowing that You are the ultimate provider of all things. Your Word reminds us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)
Amidst the trials of life, in times of sorrow and adversity, I seek Your presence, O Lord, for You are the deliverer of Your people. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2)
[Pause for petitions]
In the midst of trials and temptations, create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). Shield me from the temptations of sin, and teach me to walk in the fear of Your wisdom. Lead me in righteousness, O Lord, and may Your grace surround me always.
[Elective pause for personal petition]
Forgive me, Heavenly Father, for my sins and transgressions. With the Apostle Paul we confess that we do not what we want, but the very things we hate (Romans 7:15). In this, my repentance, I trust in Your abundant mercy, O Lord, for "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). May the depth of Your love, like a balm, heal the wounds of my soul, and lead me on the path of righteousness.
[Pause to affirm confession]
Help me, dear Father, to forgive any debts as Your mercy has released mine. (Matthew 5:23–24)
[Elective pause for petition to personal forgiveness]
Lord, I affirm Your Lordship over all Heaven and Earth including all I hold dear. (Psalm 24:1) That you have hidden these things from the wise of understanding and revealed them to little children. Guide me in righteousness; teach me to number my days. (Proverbs 4:18) (Psalm 90:12) Prepare me as a servant of your gracious will. (Ephesians 2:10). May your presence be near and your pleasant yolk rest firmly upon me. (Matthew 11:28-29)
[Pause for personal affirmation]
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, eternal and unending, a world without end. May the Lord bless us and keep us, may his face shine brightly upon me and look upon his people with favor to grant them peace. Into your hands I commend all that I pray, trusting in your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
The Five Decades of Mystery
What are they?
The decades are profitable for studious contemplation of Scripture's mysteries. The Catholic church visits itself in order to experience Mary's Scriptural contemplation of how Christ worked in and through her life. The Mysteries of the Rosary are all based on events from the lives of Jesus and Mary that are described in the Bible. The Joyful Mysteries, for instance, include the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, and the story of Jesus as a boy at the temple. Here she is seen as a fully valid typology of the believer, a willing and blessed vessel of God's grace and mercy. The same method may be used to aid in our daily reading of scripture by ensuring a measured period for God to speak to us through his word. Even though there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind there is a sense in which Mary unites the feminine symbolism used in the old and new testaments as a perfect image of the believer’s matrimony to God. For an erudite exploration of the Scriptural (not cultic) understanding of Mary and her role in the mysteries, search for: Mary In Scripture: Rediscovering the Bridge Between the Old and the New Testaments | EWTN.
How do I pray to them?
Read the first daily mystery, devotions,or a selection from scripture in the empty space above the medallion. Follow this by saying 1-10 hail YHWHs on the first decade of beads while meditating on the word. When the decade is complete, stop on the larger bead and proceed with the next reading, repeating the prior steps. These prayers help God speak to us through the text while keeping our hearts and minds focused on him, not because we will be heard by repeating them. The rosary is an aid for meditating on the Word, to merely recite the prayers, whether vocally or silently, is to miss the point. The aggregate allows us to understand what it means to worship and internalize his Joy, Sacrifice, Glory, and Light.
The Sacred Mysteries (available on the last page or online)
• Joyful mysteries are read on Mondays and Saturdays
• Sorrowful mysteries on Tuesday and Friday
• Glorious mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday
• Luminous mysteries on Thursday
The Hail YHWH
Hail YHWH, full of grace, the Lord with us;
Blessed are you O Holy God,
And blessed is the fruit of your Spirit through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy Holy Son of God,
Pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
The Hail Holy King (The Salve Regina)
After completing five decades, read the 'Hail to the Holy King' on the second medallion. Follow this with an optional period of meditative silence as God speaks to you or additional prayers (such as the prayer for vocations). Close by making the sign of the cross once more.
Hail, holy King, Father of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Adam;
To you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious savior,
Your eye of mercy toward us;
And after this, our exile,
Show unto us the blessed fruit of your creation, O Lord.
O clement, O loving, O sweet loving Father God.
Amen.
Reflections of the Mysteries:
The Joyful Mysteries: are marked by the joy radiating from the event of the Incarnation. This is clear from the very first mystery, the Annunciation, where Gabriel's greeting to the Virgin of Nazareth is linked to an invitation to messianic joy: "Rejoice, Mary." The whole of salvation … had led up to this greeting. (Prayed on Mondays and Saturdays, and optional on Sundays during Advent and the Christmas Season.)
The Sorrowful Mysteries: 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. (Prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and optional on Sundays during Lent.)
The Glorious Mysteries: "The contemplation of Christ's face cannot stop at the image of the Crucified One. He is the Risen One!" The Rosary has always expressed this knowledge born of faith and invited the believer to pass beyond the darkness of the Passion in order to gaze upon Christ's glory in the Resurrection and Ascension. … Mary herself would be raised to that same glory in the Assumption. (Prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays.)
The Luminous Mysteries: Moving on from the infancy and the hidden life in Nazareth to the public life of Jesus, our contemplation brings us to those mysteries which may be called in a special way "mysteries of light." Certainly, the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the "Light of the world" (John 8:12). Yet this truth emerges in a special way during the years of His public life. (Prayed on Thursdays.)
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