The Rosary

The Rosary is the story of our salvation in Jesus Christ, demonstrated by the his life. 

This is done in three sets of five Mysteries.  The first is called the Joyful Mysteries.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation - Luke 1:26 - 38

2. The Visitation - Luke 1:39 - 56

3. The Nativity - Luke 2:4 - 20; Matthew 2:1 - 11

4. The Presentation - Luke 2:22 - 28

5. The Finding in the Temple - Luke 2:41 - 52

The second set of Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, puts the Cross in the center of our prayer life, as it was central in the life of Jesus Christ.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony of the Garden - Matthew 26:36 - 46

2. The Scourging - Luke - 23:13 - 16

3. The Crowning with Thorns - John 19:2 - 3

4. The Bearing of the Cross - John 19:17

5. The Crucifixion Mark - Mark 15:23 - 38

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection - Matthew 28:1-10

2. The Ascension - Luke 24:50 - 51

3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:13 - 14, 2:1 - 4

4. The Assumption of the Virgin Mary - Dormition

5. The Coronation of the Virgin Mary - II Timothy 4:8

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How Do You Use The Rosary?

1. To begin the Rosary, holding the crucifix in your right hand, make the sign of the cross - this is done by taking the fingers of your right hand and touching your forehead saying, "in the name of the Father," then touching your chest and saying, "and the Son," then the left shoulder, "and the Holy" and finally the right shoulder, "Ghost. Amen" - and repeat the Apostles' Creed. This is the creed of our Baptism.
   
2. Moving up the pendant, holding the first bead above the crucifix, say the Our Father (The Lord's Prayer).
   
3. Moving up the pendant, say the Hail Mary on each of the next three beads, for the intention of the increase of the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity. On the chain, in the space before the next bead, say the Glory To The Father followed by the .
   
4. The next bead right before the medal is the Our Father bead that begins the first mystery. Holding the bead, recall the mystery you wish to offer, then begin the Our Father.
   
5. Moving past the medal, start up the right hand side of the circle, gently reciting the Hail Mary, on each of the next ten beads.
   
6. After the Hail Mary on the last of the ten beads, say the Glory To The Father followed by the , etc. on the chain.
   
7. Moving to the next bead which begins the next mystery, recall the second mystery in the series, and repeat the recitation as above for the first mystery. Begin with the Our Father, then ten Hail Mary's ending with the Glory To The Father followed by the .
   
8. Continue all the beads until you arrive back at the medal.
   
9. To the end Rosary, the prayer for the feast of the Annunciation may then be said on the medal.
   

As you become more familiar with the handling of the Rosary and the memorizing of the prayers, you will be able to carry it in your pocket, or wake at night and, by touch find your way around this familiar form of repetitive prayer.

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Rosary Prayers

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth:
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Our Father (The Lords Prayer)

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Hail Mary