The Holy Rosary
Prayed since the 13th century.

"Against the background of the words Ave Maria the principal events of the life of Jesus Christ pass before the eyes of the soul. ... Anyone who contemplates Christ through the various stages of his life cannot fail to perceive in him the truth about man. ... the Rosary does indeed “mark the rhythm of human life”, bringing it into harmony with the “rhythm” of God's own life, in the joyful communion of the Holy Trinity, our life's destiny and deepest longing.

(Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginus Mariae)



The
Holy
Rosary
Prayed since the 13th century.

Start by making the sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then recite the Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
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 everlasting.

Amen.

Then say 1 "Our Father", 3 "Hail Mary's" for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; and then 1 "Glory Be":

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.

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 death. Amen.

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.

Let your mind dwell on what happened, the mystery, while you say the prayers. This is not just repeating the prayers it will take every ounce of your will to keep your focus on Jesus. It helps to have a picture of each mystery to look back at if your mind begins to wander.


Here are the prayers for each mystery.

1 "Our Father" 10 "Hail Mary's" and 1"Glory Be" 

After each Mystery the "Fatima Prayer" is said.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

After the completion of the five mysteries (five decades), the "Hail Holy Queen" is said 

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 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.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Joyful Mysteries (recited on Mondays and Saturdays)
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)

The Annunciation

The Visitation

The Nativity

The Presentation

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Luke 1:26-38 Luke 1:39-56 Luke 2:1-20 Luke 2:22-39 Luke 2:41-52
The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary, and askes her if she will be the Mother of God. Mary's resounding yes counters Eve's no. Mary sets out immediately to help her cousing Elizabeth. When Mary greets Elizabeth her unborn son John the Baptist jumps in her womb. Elizabeth proclaims: "Blessed art Thou amoung women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!" The Virgin Mary gives birth to sweet baby Jesus, the Redeemer of the World.

The Blessed Mother presents the Child Jesus in the Temple. Simon and Anne tell them things that make them stop in wonder

 When Joseph and Mary realize Jesus is not with them they turn back to go look for Him. They find Jesus in the Temple after searching for three days.

The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan

The Wedding Feast at Cana

The Announcement of the Kingdom

The Transfiguration

The Institution of the Eucharist

John 1:29-34
Mathew 3:13-17 		John 2:1-11
Mark 1:15, 2:3-13 		Matthew 4:17
Mark 1:15, 2:3-13 		Matthew 17:1-8 Matthew 26:26-32
The heavens open wide and the voice of God the Father declares Jesus his beloved Son. Our Blessed Mother asks and Jesus changes water into wine as his first miracle. Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, as he first forgives the sins of the crippled man and then tells him to get up and walk home. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to "listen to him."

Christ shows His love for us, for whose salvation He will offer Himself in sacrifice.

His body and blood as food for us in the form of bread and wine.

The Agony in the Garden

The Scourging at the Pillar

The Crowning with Thorns

The Carrying of the Cross

The Crucifixion
Luke 22:39-46 Matthew 27:26
Mark 15:6-15 		Matthew 27:28-31
John 19:1-8 		Luke 23:26-32
John 19:16-22 		Matthew 27:33-50
John 19:25-30
At the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus agonizes over what He must do to save us from our sins. "Take this cup from me but your will be done." Jesus is cruelly scourged until His mortified body could bear no more. Jesus is mocked and a painful crown of thorns is placed on his head. Jesus carries the heavy cross upon His shoulders to Calvary. Jesus is nailed to the cross and suffers in agony for hours before he dies..

The Resurrection

The Ascension

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The Assumption

The Coronation
Matthew 28:28-17
1-20
Luke 24:50-51
Acts 1:8-11
Acts 2:1-6, 38-41
24
Revelation 12:1-3, 13-18
Revelation 12:1-6
Three days after His death Jesus rises glorious and immortal. Jesus ascends into Heaven The Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the Apostles in the locked room.. The Blessed Mother is united with her Divine Son in Heaven. Mary is gloriously crowned Queen of Heaven and earth.