How To Say The Rosary
How To Say The Rosary
How To Say The Rosary
You can pray all fifteen decades of the THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
rosary if you wish, but most often when
people pray the rosary, they pray five 1. THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN (Spirit
decades. The Joyful Mysteries are of Prayer) "Then Jesus went with them to
appropriate for Advent and are a place called Gethsemane" (Matthew
traditionally used for Mondays and 26:36).
Thursdays in Ordinary Time. The 2. THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR
Sorrowful Mysteries are appropriate for (Modesty and Purity) "Then they spat in
Lent and are traditionally used for his face and struck him; and some
Tuesdays and Fridays in Ordinary Time. slapped him, saying, 'Prophesy to us, you
Messiah! Who is it that struck you?'" 2. THE ASCENSION (Hope) "So then the
(Matthew 26:67-68). Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them,
3. THE CROWNING WITH THORNS was taken
(Courage) up into heaven and sat down at the right
"Twisting some thorns into a hand of God" (Mark 16:19).
crown, they put it on his head. 3. THE DESCENT OF THE
They put a reed in his right hand" HOLY SPIRIT (Wisdom, Love,
(Matthew 27:29). Zeal, Fortitude) "All of them
4. THE CARRYING OF THE were filled with the Holy Spirit"
CROSS (Patience in Suffering) (Acts 2:3-4).
"So they took Jesus, and carrying 4. THE ASSUMPTION OF
the cross by himself, he went out MARY INTO HEAVEN (Eternal
to what is called The Place of the Happiness) "You have done
Skull" (John 19:16-17). good to Israel, and God is well
5. THE CRUCIFIXION (Self- pleased with it. May the
denial) Almighty Lord bless you forever" (Judith
"Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 15:10).
'Father, into your hands I commend my 5. THE CORONATION OF MARY
spirit'" (Luke 23:46). (Devotion to Mary) "A great portent
appeared in heaven: a woman clothed
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES with the sun, with the moon under her
feet, and on her head a crown of twelve
1. THE RESURRECTION (Faith) "He has stars" (see Revelation 12:1-6).
been raised; he is not here" (Mark 16:6).
Growing Spiritually With the Rosary
Each time we take up our rosary we could imagine that we
hear those words of our Lord: "Here is your mother" (John
19:26- 27). The rosary does help us to look at Mary and to see
more clearly her place in God's plan for us. Mary knows well
the truth Jesus speaks in the gospel: "this is eternal life, that
they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom
you have sent" (John 17:3).
Our souls can grow without limit in the meditation on the
mysteries of the rosary. At first our Lady seems to be showing
us a series of pictures from her family album. We begin to
contemplate the great events that have taken place in sacred
history. As we grow we come to realize that these are not just
pictures on canvas. Rather, it seems that our Lady leads us
from one picture window to another.
Through our meditation on the rosary mysteries we can see
God's workings and God's will continuously active in the world.
As we continue our spiritual growth, we understand that the 15
mysteries are not merely windows through which we observe.
There is no window between ourselves and God's workings in
the world. We are in the midst of the action, part of the mystery; we are participants in the
work of the world's redemption.
The Incarnation is more than a wonderful event that took place 2,000 years ago; it is a
continuing fact that has meaning for all people.
The sorrowful mysteries of our Savior's passion are experienced in the lives of his
people -- in the injustice, fear, frustration, and pain that we experience. The risen Christ is
still with us; although he has removed his visible presence from this earth, he has given us
a mission. His Holy Spirit unites us in carrying out his program.
Let your prayer and devotion to our Lady be reflected in your daily life. While driving or
riding to and from work, while riding a bus, while relaxing in the evening in your home, you
can have the rosary in your hand. The Book of Proverbs says, "Whoever finds me finds
life" (Proverbs 8:35). Just as surely, whoever finds Mary finds her son.
Take your rosary out of your pocket or your purse; hold your rosary in your hand. Put it
into your life. †
Used with permission from Liguori Publications / Liguori, MO 63057-9999, Copyright 1997