THE HOLY ROSARY
THE ORIGIN
The Holy Rosary had been in use all through the centuries from the time of the apostles and the disciples till now, as it is composed of Christ's prayer and Angelic salutation, that is our Father and Hail Mary respectively. It is even the first prayer of the faithful.
But in the year 1214, the Holy Rosary as it is now and according to the method we use today, came to us through Saint Dominic who received it from our Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary as a powerful means of converting the Albigensians and other sinners.
This is how he received it as it is in the very well known book "Due Dignitate Psaltari by Blessed Balance LA Roche 1". Saint Dominic seeing that the people's sin were too much and that it hinders the conversion of the Albigensians withdrew into the forest near Toulouse where he prayed seriously for three days and three nights. During this period, he always weep and do serious penance in order to reduce the anger of the Almighty God. The penance he did was too much to the extent that his body was not like human being's body. At last he fell into a coma.
At this point, our Lady followed by three Angels appeared to him, and She said "Dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world?". Saint Dominic answered "You know far better than I do because next to your son Jesus Christ you have always been the Chief instrument of our salvation".
Then our Lady replied, "I want you to know that in this kind of warfare, the weapon has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore, if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter".
So he arose comfortably and burning with zeal for the conversion of the people in that district, he made straight for the Cathedral. At once unseen Angels rang the bell to gather the people together and Saint Dominic began to preach.
At the beginning of his sermon, an appalling storm broke out; the earth shook, the sun was darkened and there was so much thunder and lightening that all were very very afraid. Even greater was their fear when looking at a picture of our Lady exposed in a prominent place. They saw Her raised Her arms to heaven three times to call down God's vengeance upon them if they failed to be converted to amend their lives and seek the protection of the Holy Mother of God.
God wished by means of this supernatural phenomenon to spread the new devotion of the Holy Rosary and to make it more widely known.
At last, at the prayer of Saint Dominic the storm came to an end and he went on preaching. So fervently and compelling did he explain the importance and value of the Holy Rosary that almost all the people of Toulouse embraced it and renounced their false beliefs. In a very short time, a great improvement was seen in the town; people began living Christian lives and gave up their former bad habits. Saint Dominic preached the Holy Rosary for the rest of his life. He preached it by his examples as well as by his sermons, in cities and country places, to people of high and low status, before scholars and the uneducated, to Catholics and to Heretics.
So, dear brethrens, in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary who gave us the Holy Rosary for prayer and in the name of Jesus Christ Her Son, please let us be praying the Holy Rosary all the time in our life time. It will help us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Let us remember that the Holy Scripture said that we should be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect(Mathew 5: 48). So to reach that perfection the bible is talking of, we should pray the Holy Rosary with good spirit, heart and body, our mind should be there very well. Let us not think that we can not do it, instead, let us have strong mind that we can, as difficult things are done by human beings. If we shall be remembering always that difficult things are done by human beings, we shall be more serious to put more effort in praying the Rosary. We shall also have strong faith in God and also pray for His grace and mercy. If we do as stated, we shall see that to pray Rosary is not difficult instead it is as sweet as honey, and it does wonders. Let us remember also that the bible said in Mark 10:27 "With God all things are possible"
So let us be moving forward in praying the Holy Rosary and other prayers, let us not fall back. God will grant us our petitions, and our Lady will be interceding for us. Waste time no more, there is no time anymore; start it today.
COMPONENTS OF THE HOLY ROSARY
The Holy Rosary of our Lady is made up of one hundred and fifty Hail Mary. Also, sixteen Our Father and other prayers including Glory be to the Father... and the mysteries to be meditated upon. All the mysteries are found in the Holy scripture and each mystery has its own virtue.
The Hail Mary are grouped in tens(each with one mystery, one Our Father and Glory be to the Father... and other prayers), into fifteen places thereby called Fifteen decades. It is also known as Full Rosary. A group of ten Hail Mary is known as one decade of the Rosary.
There is chorus for all these mysteries after each one is announced, and the chorus is:
O Mary, Queen, you are the mother of all, hear and receive this mystery, song and our prayer.
After each mystery is announced and the chorus recited, the prayers that follows are:
Our Father ---
Hail Mary ---
Glory be to the Father---
O my Jesus---
Jesus have mercy on us---
May the souls of the faithful departed---
The mysteries have three divisional parts, each with fifty Hail Mary but grouped in tens into five places, thereby called five decades(with five mysteries). It is also known as Chaplet.
THE MYSTERIES: According to the division, we have the Joyful Mysteries: in it we mediate on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Second part is the Sorrowful Mysteries: in it we meditate on how Jesus Christ our Saviour suffered till His death on a cross for the sake of saving the world from eternal damnation. The third part is the Glorious: in it we meditate on our Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour overcame death through rising from the dead again and ascended into heaven and sitted at the right hand of God. Again, how the apostles receive the Holy Spirit and how Virgin Mary got to heaven and Her queenship.
The chaplet is followed by the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary or any of the Litanies as the case may be. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is fifty one in number and then followed by the closing prayer and any song of our Blessed Lady.
DAYS OF PRAYING EACH PART OF THE MYSTERIES
Joyful Mysteries are said on Mondays, Thursdays and all Sundays in Advent.
Sorrowful Mysteries are said on Tuesdays, Fridays and all Sundays in Lent.
Glorious Mysteries are said on Wednesdays, Saturdays and all Sundays in Easter.
HOW TO SAY THE HOLY ROSARY
We start the Holy Rosary sign of the cross thus;
This is how he received it as it is in the very well known book "Due Dignitate Psaltari by Blessed Balance LA Roche 1". Saint Dominic seeing that the people's sin were too much and that it hinders the conversion of the Albigensians withdrew into the forest near Toulouse where he prayed seriously for three days and three nights. During this period, he always weep and do serious penance in order to reduce the anger of the Almighty God. The penance he did was too much to the extent that his body was not like human being's body. At last he fell into a coma.
At this point, our Lady followed by three Angels appeared to him, and She said "Dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world?". Saint Dominic answered "You know far better than I do because next to your son Jesus Christ you have always been the Chief instrument of our salvation".
Then our Lady replied, "I want you to know that in this kind of warfare, the weapon has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore, if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter".
So he arose comfortably and burning with zeal for the conversion of the people in that district, he made straight for the Cathedral. At once unseen Angels rang the bell to gather the people together and Saint Dominic began to preach.
At the beginning of his sermon, an appalling storm broke out; the earth shook, the sun was darkened and there was so much thunder and lightening that all were very very afraid. Even greater was their fear when looking at a picture of our Lady exposed in a prominent place. They saw Her raised Her arms to heaven three times to call down God's vengeance upon them if they failed to be converted to amend their lives and seek the protection of the Holy Mother of God.
God wished by means of this supernatural phenomenon to spread the new devotion of the Holy Rosary and to make it more widely known.
At last, at the prayer of Saint Dominic the storm came to an end and he went on preaching. So fervently and compelling did he explain the importance and value of the Holy Rosary that almost all the people of Toulouse embraced it and renounced their false beliefs. In a very short time, a great improvement was seen in the town; people began living Christian lives and gave up their former bad habits. Saint Dominic preached the Holy Rosary for the rest of his life. He preached it by his examples as well as by his sermons, in cities and country places, to people of high and low status, before scholars and the uneducated, to Catholics and to Heretics.
So, dear brethrens, in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary who gave us the Holy Rosary for prayer and in the name of Jesus Christ Her Son, please let us be praying the Holy Rosary all the time in our life time. It will help us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Let us remember that the Holy Scripture said that we should be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect(Mathew 5: 48). So to reach that perfection the bible is talking of, we should pray the Holy Rosary with good spirit, heart and body, our mind should be there very well. Let us not think that we can not do it, instead, let us have strong mind that we can, as difficult things are done by human beings. If we shall be remembering always that difficult things are done by human beings, we shall be more serious to put more effort in praying the Rosary. We shall also have strong faith in God and also pray for His grace and mercy. If we do as stated, we shall see that to pray Rosary is not difficult instead it is as sweet as honey, and it does wonders. Let us remember also that the bible said in Mark 10:27 "With God all things are possible"
So let us be moving forward in praying the Holy Rosary and other prayers, let us not fall back. God will grant us our petitions, and our Lady will be interceding for us. Waste time no more, there is no time anymore; start it today.
COMPONENTS OF THE HOLY ROSARY
The Holy Rosary of our Lady is made up of one hundred and fifty Hail Mary. Also, sixteen Our Father and other prayers including Glory be to the Father... and the mysteries to be meditated upon. All the mysteries are found in the Holy scripture and each mystery has its own virtue.
The Hail Mary are grouped in tens(each with one mystery, one Our Father and Glory be to the Father... and other prayers), into fifteen places thereby called Fifteen decades. It is also known as Full Rosary. A group of ten Hail Mary is known as one decade of the Rosary.
There is chorus for all these mysteries after each one is announced, and the chorus is:
O Mary, Queen, you are the mother of all, hear and receive this mystery, song and our prayer.
After each mystery is announced and the chorus recited, the prayers that follows are:
Our Father ---
Hail Mary ---
Glory be to the Father---
O my Jesus---
Jesus have mercy on us---
May the souls of the faithful departed---
The mysteries have three divisional parts, each with fifty Hail Mary but grouped in tens into five places, thereby called five decades(with five mysteries). It is also known as Chaplet.
THE MYSTERIES: According to the division, we have the Joyful Mysteries: in it we mediate on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Second part is the Sorrowful Mysteries: in it we meditate on how Jesus Christ our Saviour suffered till His death on a cross for the sake of saving the world from eternal damnation. The third part is the Glorious: in it we meditate on our Lord Jesus Christ the Saviour overcame death through rising from the dead again and ascended into heaven and sitted at the right hand of God. Again, how the apostles receive the Holy Spirit and how Virgin Mary got to heaven and Her queenship.
The chaplet is followed by the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary or any of the Litanies as the case may be. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is fifty one in number and then followed by the closing prayer and any song of our Blessed Lady.
DAYS OF PRAYING EACH PART OF THE MYSTERIES
Joyful Mysteries are said on Mondays, Thursdays and all Sundays in Advent.
Sorrowful Mysteries are said on Tuesdays, Fridays and all Sundays in Lent.
Glorious Mysteries are said on Wednesdays, Saturdays and all Sundays in Easter.
HOW TO SAY THE HOLY ROSARY
We start the Holy Rosary sign of the cross thus;
*In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Next: The opening prayer which is Calling Upon The Holy Spirit:
* Come Holy Spirit, fill the heart of the faithful,
R. And enkindle in them the fire of thy love.
* Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be recreated,
R. And thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
LET US PRAY:
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the heart of the faithful, grant that in the same spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
* Thou O Lord will open my lips,
R. And my tongue shall announce thy praise.
* Incline unto my aid O God,
R. O Lord make haste to help me.
* Glory be to the father and to the son and to the Holy Spirit,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PETITION:
(Say your private intentions after which you begin with the Apostles Creed)
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 rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, sitteth 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 ever lasting, Amen.
OUR FATHER:
Our father who art in heaven, hollowed 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:
* Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus
R. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.(3 times)
GLORY BE:
* Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now a and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
O MY JESUS:
O my Jesus forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those who are mostly in need of thy mercy.
* Jesus have mercy on us,
R. Virgin Mary help us.
* May the divine assistance remain always with us,
R. May the souls of the faithful departed
* Through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.
JOYFUL MYSTERIES AND WHERE THEY ARE IN THE BIBLE (Days of prayer; Monday, Thursday and all Sunday during Advent):
1. The Annunciation (Lk. 1:28)
Let us medidate on how Angel Gabriel visited and greeted Virgin Mary; Hail Mary You are full of grace, You will be the Mother of Jesus Christ.
(Virtue of the Mystery -- Humility)
CHORUS: O Mary Queen, You are the Mother of all, hear and receive this mystery, song and our prayer.
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,
R. 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:
* Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb Jesus.
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen. ( 10 Times)
* Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
O MY JESUS:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are mostly in need of Thy mercy.
* Jesus have mercy on us,
R. Virgin Mary help us.
* May the divine assistance remain always with us,
R. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.
N/B: (The second, third, fourth and fifth mysteries will be prayed in the same way/manner)
2. The visitation (Lk. 1:41-42)
When the Angel told Virgin Mary that Elizabeth her cousin was pregnant she went quickly to see her and stayed with her for three months. (Virtue of the Mystery; Love of neighbour)
Oh Mary Queen....
3. The Birth of Jesus Christ: Nativity (Lk. 2:7)
When the time for Virgin Mary to deliver came, She gave birth to the child Jesus at Bethlehem in a manger within the animal hurt in the town. (Virtue of the Mystery; Poverty)
Oh Mary Queen....
4. The Presentation (Lk. 2:22-23)
She presented Jesus in the temple on the day of Her purification, where Simeon gave thanks and blessed the king of the world. (Virtue of the Mystery; Obedience)
Oh Mary Queen....
5. The finding of the Child Jesus Christ in the Temple(Lk. 2:46)
Having searched for Jesus for three days, Joseph and Mary later found the Child Jesus at the temple of Jerusalem among the Jewish learned people; He was teaching them and answering their questions. (Virtue of the mystery: Love of Jesus and piety)
SORROWFUL MYSTERIES AND WHERE THEY ARE IN THE BIBLE (Days of prayer; Tuesday, Friday and all Sunday during Lent):
1. The Agony in the Garden (Lk. 22:44-45)
Let us meditate on how Jesus suffered in the garden of Getsemani, the pains he suffered in His heart, the sweat like blood that dropped from His body (Virtues of the mystery; Sorrow for sin).
Let us meditate on how Jesus suffered in the garden of Getsemani, the pains he suffered in His heart, the sweat like blood that dropped from His body (Virtues of the mystery; Sorrow for sin).
Oh Mary Queen....
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (John 19:1)
Jesus was tied to the pillar before the public and was scourged by the ordinary Jewish citizens. (Virtues of the mystery; Purity)
Jesus was tied to the pillar before the public and was scourged by the ordinary Jewish citizens. (Virtues of the mystery; Purity)
Oh Mary Queen....
3. The crowning with thorns (Matthew 27:28-29)
The soldiers plaited a crown of thorn and placed it on Jesus head, they mocked Him and saying; Hail You King of the Jews. (Virtue of the mystery; Moral Courage)
The soldiers plaited a crown of thorn and placed it on Jesus head, they mocked Him and saying; Hail You King of the Jews. (Virtue of the mystery; Moral Courage)
Oh Mary Queen....
4. The carrying of the cross (John 19:17)
Jesus was sentenced to death; He was made to carry a heavy cross to Mount Calvary, on His way He fell three times on the rocky path(Virtue of the mystery; Patience)
Oh Mary Queen....
5. The Crucifixion (Lk. 23:46)
When Jesus arrived at Calvary, the soldiers stripped Him of His clothes and the Son of God was nailed to the cross with big nails (Virtue of the mystery; Perseverance)
Oh Mary Queen....
GLORIOUS MYSTERIES AND WHERE THEY ARE IN THE BIBLE (Days of prayer; Wednesday, Saturday and all Sunday during Easter)
1. The Resurrection (Mark 16:6)
Our Lord Jesus Christ overcame death and was glorified; He rose from the dead at the early hours of the third data(Virtue of the Mystery; Faith)
Oh Mary Queen....
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19)
When it is time for Him to leave this world, Jesus with His Glory ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. (Virtue of the Mystery; Hope)
Oh Mary Queen....
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:41)
Let us medidate on how God the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles revealing to them the great mysteries as Jesus the Lord had promised. (Virtue of the Mystery; Love of God)
Oh Mary Queen....
4. The Assumption (Rev. 12:1)
Blessed Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven where she went straight to Her Son Jesus Christ, Host of Angels received Her when She entered into heaven. (Virtue of the mystery; Grace for happy death)
Oh Mary Queen....
5. The Coronation (Judith 15:9-10)
The Blessed Trinity Crowned Virgin Mary the Queen of Angels and of the earth till the world without end. (Virtue of the Mystery; Trust in Mary's intercession)
Oh Mary Queen....
HAIL HOLY QUEEN:
Hail Holy Queen Mother of Mercy, hail 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,
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 medidating upon these mysteries in the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.
GLORIOUS MYSTERIES AND WHERE THEY ARE IN THE BIBLE (Days of prayer; Wednesday, Saturday and all Sunday during Easter)
1. The Resurrection (Mark 16:6)
Our Lord Jesus Christ overcame death and was glorified; He rose from the dead at the early hours of the third data(Virtue of the Mystery; Faith)
Oh Mary Queen....
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19)
When it is time for Him to leave this world, Jesus with His Glory ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. (Virtue of the Mystery; Hope)
Oh Mary Queen....
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:41)
Let us medidate on how God the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles revealing to them the great mysteries as Jesus the Lord had promised. (Virtue of the Mystery; Love of God)
Oh Mary Queen....
4. The Assumption (Rev. 12:1)
Blessed Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven where she went straight to Her Son Jesus Christ, Host of Angels received Her when She entered into heaven. (Virtue of the mystery; Grace for happy death)
Oh Mary Queen....
5. The Coronation (Judith 15:9-10)
The Blessed Trinity Crowned Virgin Mary the Queen of Angels and of the earth till the world without end. (Virtue of the Mystery; Trust in Mary's intercession)
Oh Mary Queen....
HAIL HOLY QUEEN:
Hail Holy Queen Mother of Mercy, hail 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,
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 medidating upon these mysteries in the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.
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