The Rosary

In the past few weeks I have had several conversations in regards to saying the rosary. I can see how to some, the rosary can be kind of intimidating... There are a lot of beads and it must take a lot of time and what if I say it wrong?

So I wanted to add a bit of encouragement, to some of you, who may be a bit intimidated...

First You can always start with just one decade there are no rules against that. Meaning start with the introduction from the crucifix to the center medallion through the first set of Hail Mary's and then conclude with the final prayers as if you said the whole thing.

Second You don't have to be in a quiet room or the sacristy to pray it. I say it in my car on rides to pick up the kids and I get interrupted about 300 times but I figure God gave me my kids and he understands how difficult it is for me to get a moment alone.

Third God knows we are imperfect and that we sometimes make mistakes, so if you accidently say 9 Hail Mary's He is not going to dwell on the one you missed. He will only see how hard you are trying and be grateful of the time you spend with Him.

Finally, I once told someone had badly I felt when I fall asleep during my prayers they told me not to worry because the angels finish your unfinished prayers! Now I don't know that to be fact but the idea of it made me focus more on what I was trying to accomplish and less on where I was falling short. So pray those rosaries ladies. And just in case you need a bit more encouragement here is what Our Lady Has to say about it!

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary

In the thirteenth century, Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan received the following promises from Our Lady for all those who faithfully pray the Rosary:

1. To all those who shall pray my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.
2. Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive some special grace.
3. The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, deliver from sin and dispel heresy.
4. The rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.
6. Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.
7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will share in the merits of the blessed.
9. I will deliver promptly from purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.
10. True children of my Rosary will enjoy great glory in heaven.
11. What you shall ask through my Rosary you shall obtain.
12. To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Son that all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.
14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

How to Pray the Rosary

Courtesy of http://www.usccb.org

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Pope John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.

The Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on the Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays of Advent:

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity
4. The Presentation in the Temple
5. The Finding in the Temple

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on the Tuesday, Friday, and Sundays of Lent:

1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion and Death

The Five Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on the Wednesday and Sundays outside of Lent and Advent:

1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Coronation of Mary

The Five Luminous Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Thursdays:

1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
3. Jesus' Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Praying the Rosary

Familiarize yourself and/or your group with the prayers of the rosary.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross.
2. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
3. On the first bead, say an Our Father.
4. Say three Hail Marys on each of the next three beads.
5. Say the Glory Be
6. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery, then say the Our Father.
7. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be. (After finishing each decade, some 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.")
8. After saying the five decades, say the "Hail, Holy Queen, followed by this dialogue and prayer:
   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 while meditating on 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.