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KNIGHTS
OF COLUMBUS
Our
Lady of Fatima - Council 5579
How To Pray The Rosary
The purpose
of the Rosary is to help keep in memory certain principal events
or mysteries in the history of our salvation, and to thank and
praise God for them. There are fifteen mysteries reflected upon
in the Rosary, and these are divided into the five JOYFUL
MYSTERIES, the
five SORROWFUL MYSTERIES, and the five GLORIOUS MYSTERIES.
- Make the Sign of
the Cross and say the "Apostle's Creed."
- Say the "Our
Father."
- Say three "Hail
Marys."
- Say the "Glory
be to the Father."
- Announce the First
Mystery; then say the "Our Father."
- Say ten "Hail
Marys," while meditating on the Mystery.
- Say the "Glory
be to the Father."
- Announce the Second
Mystery; then say the "Our Father." Repeat 6 and 7 and
continue with Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the
same manner.
After the Rosary:
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.
After each decade
say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at
Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the
fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who
have most need of your mercy."
Note : As a rule the Joyful
mysteries are said on Monday and Thursday, the Sorrowful
on Tuesday and Friday, and the Glorious on Wednesday,
Saturday, and Sunday (with this exception: Sundays of Christmas
season - the Joyful; Sundays of Lent - Sorrowful)
The Apostle's Creed
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; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended
into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father
Almighty; from thence He shall come 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.
Back to "How to Pray the
Rosary".
Our Father
Our father,
who art in heaven; hallowed by 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.
Back to "How to Pray the
Rosary".
Hail Mary
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. Amen.
Back to "How to Pray the
Rosary".
Glory be to the Father
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.
Back to "How to Pray the
Rosary".
The Joyful Mysteries
The
First Joyful Mystery
THE ANNUNCIATION
- The time for
the Incarnation is at hand.
- Of all women
God prepared Mary from her conception to be the Mother of
the Incarnate Word.
- The Angel
Gabriel announces: "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is
with thee."
- Mary wonders
at this salutation.
- The Angel
assures her: "Fear not . . . you shall conceive in
your womb, and give birth to a Son."
- Mary is
troubled for she has made a vow of virginity.
- The Angel
answers that she will conceive by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and her Son will be called the Son of God.
- The
Incarnation awaits Mary's consent.
- Mary answers:
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me
according to your word."
- The Word was
made flesh and dwelt among among us.
The Second
Joyful Mystery
THE VISITATION
- Mary's
cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age . . . for
nothing is impossible with God.
- Charity
prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of
her need.
- The journey
to Elizabeth's home is about eighty miles requiring four
or five days.
- Though long
and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears with
her the Incarnate Word.
- At Mary's
salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother's
womb.
- Elizabeth
exclaims: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed
is the fruit of your womb."
- "How
have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to
me?"
- "Blessed
is she who beleived that the Lord's words to her would be
fulfilled."
- Mary replies:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my
spirit finds joy in God my Savior."
- Mary serves
her cousin in all humility for three months until the
birth of John the Baptist.
The
Third Joyful Mystery
THE NATIVITY
- Joseph and
Mary go to Bethlehem to comply with the decree of Caesar
Augustus.
- The hour for
Mary to give birth is near, but there is no room in the
inn.
- In the
stillness of the night, the Savior is born in a cave,
Mary remaining a Virgin.
- She wraps
Him in swaddling clothes and lays Him in a manger.
- In
unspeakable joy Mary gathers to her bosom the Flower of
her virginity.
- Jesus enters
the world in poverty to teach the lesson of detachment
from earthly things.
- The angel
announces to the shepherds: "Today there is born to
you in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord."
- The angelic
chorus sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace
to His people on earth."
- The
shepherds come to the stable to pay homage to the Infant
Jesus.
- The Magi
come to adore the Holy Child and offer Him gifts.
The
Fourth Joyful Mystery
THE PRESENTATION
- Observing
the law of Moses they take Jesus to the temple to present
Him to the Lord.
- According to
the Law the firstborn male child of every family should
be consecrated to the Lord.
- Mary offers
her Son to the Father, then ransoms Him back at the price
paid by the poor.
- Jesus is not
subject to the law of Moses, yet to teach obediance,
submits to it.
- Mary is not
subject to the law of purification, yet in humility she
submits to it.
- God had
revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he
had seen the Messiah.
- Recognizing
the Child, he prays: "Now you can dismiss your
servant in peace. You have fulfilled your word."
- "This
Child is destined to be the downfall and rise of many in
Israel, a sign that will be opposed."
- And to Mary
Simeon reveals: "And your own soul a sword shall
pierce."
- After they
fulfill all the Law requires they return to Nazareth.
The
Fifth Joyful Mystery
THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
- When Jesus
is twelve years old, He goes with His parents to
Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.
- After the
feast of the Passover, Jospeh and Mary unknowingly set
out for Nazareth without Jesus.
- At the end
of the first day's journey they discover Jesus is missing.
- His parents
return immediately looking for Him.
- This loss
causes grief and anxiety beyond our understanding to the
hearts of Mary and Joseph.
- On the third
day they find Jesus in the Temple among the Doctors who
were astonished at His wisdom.
- Mary: "Son,
why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been
searching for you in sorrow."
- Jesus:
"Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I
must be about my Father's business?"
- Jesus goes
down with them to Nazareth, and is subject to them.
- Mary keeps
all these things in her heart.
Back to "How to Pray the Rosary".
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The
First Sorrowful Mystery
THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN
- Jesus comes
with his disciples to Gethsemani: "Stay here, while
I go yonder and pray."
- Entering the
garden with Peter, James, and John, Jesus prays, "My
soul is sorrowful unto death."
- Jesus sees
the sins of all mankind, whose guilt He has taken upon
Himself.
- He sees the
wrath of the Father which His sufferings must appease.
- So great is
his anguish that His sweat becomes as drops of blood
falling to the ground.
- An angel
appears to Him from heaven to strengthen Him.
- "Father,
if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet, not My
will but Yours be done."
- Finding the
disciples asleep: "Could you not watch one hour with
me?"
- Jesus is
betrayed by Judas, cruelly bound and led away.
- Father, by
the merits of the agony of Jesus in the Garden, have
mercy on us and on the whole world.
The
Second Sorrowful Mystery
THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR
- Jesus is
taken before the High Priest where He is falsely accused,
buffeted and insulted.
- The Jewish
leaders take Jesus before Pilate, for only he can impose
the death penalty.
- The robber,
Barabbas, is preferred to Jesus.
- Pilate can
"find no cause in Him", yet to appease the Jews,
he orders Jesus to be scourged.
- The scourge
is made of leather throngs to which are attached small
sharp bones.
- Jesus is
bound to a pillar and cruelly scourged until His whole
body is covered with deep wounds.
- The Lamb of
God offers His suffering for the sins of mankind.
- Jesus
suffers so much in His sacred flesh to satisfy,
especially, for sins of the flesh.
- The prophesy
of Isiah is fulfilled: "He was wounded for our
iniquities, He was bruised for our sins."
- Father, by
the merits of Jesus in this painful scourging, have mercy
on us and on the whole world.
The Third Sorrowful Mystery
THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
- Pilate asks,
"Are You a king?" Jesus answers: "I am a
King, but My kingdom is not of this world."
- In the
praetorium, the soldiers place an old purple robe on
Jesus in mockery of His claim to be a king.
- They fashion
a crown out of thorns, and forcefully press it down upon
His head.
- In His bound
hands they place a reed, as a sceptre, in mockery of His
kingship.
- Kneeling
before Him in derision, they spit on Him, and cry out:
"Hail, King of the Jews!"
- Taking the
reed from His hand they strike Him on the head, driving
the thorns more deeply into His scalp.
- Pilate
brings Jesus before the people, hoping His pitiful sight
will soften them: "Behold the man!"
- Their
response: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
- Our Blessed
Lord submitted to this terrible humiliation to make
reparation for our pride.
- Father, by
the merits of this painful humiliation, have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
- One
condemned to death by crucifixion is forced to carry the
cross to the place of execution.
- The
suffering of Jesus is intense as the cross is laid on His
bruised and wounded back and shoulders.
- Weak and
exhausted from loss of blood, lack of food and rest,
Jesus falls three times under the cross.
- Jesus meets
His afflicted Mother causing untold anguish in the Hearts
of Son and Mother.
- The
countenance of Jesus is disfigured with blood and sweat,
with dust and spittle.
- Veronica
wipes His face, leaving on her towel the image of His
countenance.
- Fearing that
Jesus might die on the way, the soldiers force Simeon of
Cyrene to carry the cross behind Jesus.
- Jesus speaks
to weeping women; "Weep not for Me, but for
yourselves and your children."
- "If
anyone is to be My disciple, let him take up his cross
and follow Me."
- Father, by
the merits of this painful journey to Calvary, have mercy
on us and on the whole world.
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CRUCIFIXION
- The hands
and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the presence
of His afflicted Mother.
- "Father,
forgive them for they know not what they do."
- "This
day you will be with Me in paradise."
- "Woman,
behold your Son. Son, behold your Mother."
- "My God,
My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
- "I
thirst."
- "It is
finished."
- "Father,
into Your hands I commend My spirit."
- The side of
Jesus is pierced with a lance. His body is taken down and
placed in the arms of His Mother.
- Father, by
the merits of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, have
mercy on us and on the whole world.
Back to "How to Pray the Rosary".
The Glorious Mysteries
The First Glorious Mystery
THE RESURRECTION
- The body of
Jesus is placed in the tomb on the evening of Good Friday.
- His soul
descends into the realm of the dead to announce to the
Just the tidings of their redemption.
- Fearing the
body of Jesus will be taken, the chief priests place
guards at the tomb.
- On the third
day Jesus rises from the dead, glorious and immortal.
- The earth
quakes as the angel rolls back the stone, the guards flee
in terror.
- The holy
women coming to annoint the body of Jesus are amazed and
frightened to find the tomb open.
- An angel
calms their fears: "He is not here. He has risen as
He said."
- Jesus
appears to Mary Magdalen and Peter and two disciples on
the way to Emmaus.
- That evening
He appears to the apostles behind locked doors: "Peace
be unto you ... do not be afraid."
- Jesus
breathes on them and gives them the power to forgive sin.
The Second Glorious Mystery
THE
ASCENSION
- Jesus
remains on earth forty days after His Resurrection to
prove He has truly risen from the dead.
- He
commissions the apostles to preach the gospel to every
creature, and promises to be with them forever.
- He will not
leave them orphans, but will send the Holy Spirit to
enlighten and strengthen them.
- Jesus
proceeds to Mt. Olivet accompanied by His Mother and the
apostles and disciples.
- Extending
His pierced hands over all in a last blessing, He ascends
into heaven.
- As He
ascends a cloud takes Him from their sight.
- Jesus
ascends to take His place at the right hand of the Father.
- What
jubilation there must be amid the angels of heaven at the
triumphant entry of Jesus.
- The wounds
in His glorified body are an endless plea before the
Father on our behalf.
- The
disciples leave Mt. Olivet and "return to Jerusalem
with great joy."
The Third Glorious Mystery
THE DESCENT
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- The apostles
are gathered in the upper room where Jesus had held the
Last Supper.
- They are
persevering in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus.
- A sound
comes from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it
fills the whole house.
- The Holy
Spirit descends on each of them in the form of tongues of
fire.
- Filled with
the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are enlightened and
strengthened to spread the gospel.
- Having lost
all fear of the Jewish leaders, the apostles boldly
preach Christ crucified.
- The
multitudes are confounded because every man hears them
speak in his own tongue.
- The Holy
Spirit comes upon the Infant Church never to leave it.
- That first
day Peter goes forth to preach and baptizes three
thousand.
- The feast of
Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day
it begins to grow.
The Fourth Glorious Mystery
THE
ASSUMPTION
- After the
apostles have dispersed, the Blessed Mother goes to live
with John, the beloved disciple.
- Mary lives
many years on earth after the death of Christ.
- She is a
source of comfort, consolation and strength to the
apostles.
- As she had
nourished the infant Jesus, so she nourishes spiritually
the infant Church.
- Mary dies,
not of bodily infirmity, but is wholly ravished in a
rapture of divine love.
- Her body as
well as her soul is taken up into heaven.
- After her
burial the apostles go to the tomb and find only fragrant
lilies.
- Jesus does
not premit the sinless body of His Mother to decay in the
grave.
- Corruption
of the body is an effect of original sin from which Mary
is totally exempted.
- The bodies
of all mankind, at the last judgment, will be brought
back and united again to the soul.
The Fifth Glorious Mystery
THE
CORONATION
- As Mary
enters heaven, the entire court of heaven greets with joy
this masterpiece of God's creation.
- Mary is
crowned by her divine Son as Queen of heaven and earth.
- More than we
can ever know the Hearts of Jesus and Mary overflow with
joy at this reunion.
- Only in
heaven will we know the great majesty of that coronation,
and the joy it gave to the angels and saints.
- Even the
angels, who by nature are greater than humans, hail Mary
as their Queen.
- Mary shares
so fully in the glory of Christ because she shared so
fully in his suffering.
- Only in
heaven will we see how central is the role of Mary in the
divine plan of redemption.
- The angels
and saints longed for the coming of her whose heel
crushes the head of the serpent.
- Mary pleads
our cause as a most powerful Queen and a most merciful
and loving Mother.
- A great sign
appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, the
moon under her feet, and on her
- head a crown
of twelve stars.
Back to "How to Pray the Rosary".
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