The Holy Rosary



The Rosary
• The word Rosary means "Crown of Roses”
• Each time we say a Hail Mary we are giving our Lady a beautiful rose
• Each complete Rosary makes her a crown of roses
• The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies
the awesome story of our salvation.
• We meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow and the glory of Jesus and
Mary.
• When we pray the Hail Mary we invite Her to pray for us. Our Lady
always grants our request. She joins Her prayer to ours. Therefore it
becomes ever more useful, because what Mary asks She always
receives, Jesus can never say no to whatever His Mother asks for.
• In every apparition, the heavenly Mother has invited us to say the
Rosary as a powerful weapon against evil, to bring us to true peace.
• The Blessed Holy Father John Paul II on October 16th, 2002 with the
Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae on the Most Holy Rosary
has added 5 new mysteries of the Rosary: The Mysteries of the Light.


How to Pray the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the "Apostles' Creed."
2. Say the "Our Father."
3. Say three "Hail Marys."
4. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the "Our Father."
6. Say ten "Hail Marys," while meditating on the Mystery.
7. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
8. 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
vale 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 dires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially
those who have most need of your mercy."
 The Joyful Mysteries
Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays of Advent, and
Sundays from Epiphany until Lent



First Joyful Mystery

The Annunciation

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town

of Galilee called Nazareth. And coming to
Mary, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is
with you." (Lk 1:26-28)

Oh Mary with Your "yes" You have opened

heaven's ways, You have achieved the will of the
Father. You will be blessed for ever: Your
intercession is heard in Heaven, because You
have accepted God's plan. Let us pray that we
can say "yes" to the Father in every instance He
ask it of us. Mary help us to be humble and
obedient to God's will.



Second Joyful Mystery

The Visitation

Mary set out and traveled to the house of

Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When
Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant
leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with
the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and
said, "Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Lk
1:39-45)

Mary goes to visit Elizabeth: She carries God to

Her cousin, for the love of Her brothers and
neighbors. Lord help us to carry Christ to others,
like Mary did. Let us ask Mary the gift of burning
charity.



Third Joyful Mystery

The Birth of Our Lord

And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She

wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid
him in a manger . . . And suddenly there was a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God
and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and
on earth peace to those on whom his favor
rests." (Lk 2:1-20)

Infant Jesus in the manger. Mary, Joseph and the

shepherds adore Him. Let us also adore Christ,
the Son of God, in the silence of our soul and
from the depth of our heart. Let us ask Mary to
make us love Jesus more, and also the gift of
poverty of spirit.



Fourth Joyful Mystery

The Presentation in the Temple

Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the

Temple to present him to the Lord. At the
temple Simeon and Anna came forward, gave
thanks to God and spoke about Jesus to all who
were present. (Lk 2:22-38)

We need to pay attention to the voice of God, to

discern His call and accept the mission He gave
us. After the Simeon prophecy, Mary takes into
Her Heart the wound of sorrow, but in the silence
She accepts the will of Her Father.



Fifth Joyful Mystery

The Finding of the Child Jesus in

the Temple

The boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,

but his parents did not know it. After three days
they found him in the temple, sitting in the
midst of the teachers, listening to them and
asking them questions. (Lk 2:41-50)

Let us think of how many times we have been far

from Jesus; from that Jesus, who with so much
love has died for us. Let us meditate that in the
difficulties of life the only safety is finding Jesus
and never again leaving his great love.
The Luminous Mysteries
Thursdays throughout the year



First Luminous Mystery

The Baptism in the Jordan

And a voice came from the heavens, saying,

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased." (Mt. 3:17)

The Baptism in the Jordan is first of all a mystery

of light. Here, as Christ descends into the waters,
the innocent one who became “sin” for our sake
(cf. 2Cor 5:21), the heavens open wide and the
voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son
(cf. Mt 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit
descends on him to invest him with the mission
which he is to carry out.



Second Luminous Mystery

The Wedding at Cana

"Women, how does your concern affect me?

My hour has not yet come." His mother said to
the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn
2:1-12)

Another mystery of light is the first of the signs,

given at Cana (cf. Jn 2:1- 12), when Christ
changes water into wine and opens the hearts of
the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention
of Mary, the first among believers.



Third Luminous Mystery

The Proclamation of the

Kingdom of God

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of

God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the
gospel." (Mk 1:15)

The preaching by which Jesus proclaims the

coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to
conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of
all who draw near to him in humble trust (cf. Mk
2:3-13; Lk 7:47- 48): the inauguration of that
ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise
until the end of the world, particularly through
the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has
entrusted to his Church (cf. Jn 20:22-23).



Fourth Luminous Mystery

The Transfiguration

While he was praying his face changed in

appearance and his clothing became dazzling
white. (Lk9:29)

The mystery of light par excellence is the

Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have
taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the
Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as
the Father commands the astonished Apostles to
“listen to him” (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to
prepare to experience with him the agony of the
Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the
Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy
Spirit.



Fifth Luminous Mystery

The Institution of the Eucharist

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his

hour had come to pass from this world to the
Father. He loved his own in the world and he
loved them to the end. (Jn 13:1)

A final mystery of light is the institution of the

Eucharist, in which Christ offers his body and
blood as food under the signs of bread and
wine, and testifies “to the end” his love for
humanity (Jn 13:1), for whose salvation he will
offer himself in sacrifice.
 The Sorrowful Mysteries
Tuesdays, Fridays, and daily from Ash Wednesday
until Easter Sunday 



First Sorrowful Mystery

The Agony in the Garden

Jesus went to a place called Gethsemane to

pray. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup
pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you
will." (Mt 26:36-46)

In the forsaking prayer to the Father, Jesus found

strength, trust, and an angel was sent to comfort
Him. So Jesus will be our comforting angel. It's as
He said to us: " Why do you worry in your
difficulties? Be strong in me; look to your God in
your most troubled hour, and you will be
triumphant." Let us ask to forsake ourselves to
God, to always do His will.



Second Sorrowful Mystery

The Scourging at the Pillar

The chief priests with the elders and the

scribes held a council. They bound Jesus, led
him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate,
wishing to satisfy the crowd, had Jesus
scourged and handed him over to be crucified.
(Mk 15:1-16)

How many pains, how many torments, and how

many wounds on the body of Jesus? How much
blood falls to the ground, while His tormenters
laugh, insult him, and gather their strength to hit
the innocent body of Jesus again? Let us ask to
accept every insult for the love of our Lord, and
also a true regret for our sins.



Third Sorrowful Mystery

The Crowning with Thorns

They stripped off his clothes and threw a

scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a
crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head,
and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling
before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail,
King of the Jews!" (Mt 27:27-31)

Think of the indignity, outrage, pain, and

humiliation that Jesus suffered. They striped Him
of every dignity, He was treated as the guilt of
our worst sins. He seems to say to us: " Why do
you despair when you suffer? Is that the way you
love me? Meditate about my passions and find in
them great riches." Let us ask the gift of patience
to accept all humiliations, thinking of how Jesus
suffered for us.



Fourth Sorrowful Mystery

The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus, weak from being beaten, was unable to

carry His cross to Golgotha alone. Simon, a
Cyrenian, helped him. (Mk 15:20-22)

Even if He had suffered just for you, Jesus would

have accepted such pains, great is His love for
you. Along the road to Calvary Jesus sees Mary,
His Mother. Can we imagine the moment when
Their eyes met? Oh how Her Heart must have
ached. Let us pray to Mary for the grace to
always accept our cross.



Fifth Sorrowful Mystery

The Crucifixion

When they came to the place called the Skull,

they crucified him and the criminals there, one
on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they
do." (Lk 23:33-46)

Jesus wishes to see us close to His Mother; He

wishes that, like children, we keep our hand in
the hand of Mary. That is what He wants. He asks
us to look to the heavenly Mother, that is depend
on Her. He asks that we accept Our Lady as our
true Mother, who will ignite in us a fervent love
of Her Son. Mary, we trust in You, take us and put
us in the refuge of Your Immaculate Heart, heal
with Your humility our pride, that so often takes
us far from God.
 The Glorious Mysteries
Wednesdays, and Sundays throughout the year



First Glorious Mystery

The Resurrection

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to

see the tomb. An angel appeared and said, "Do
not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus
the crucified. He is not here, for He has been
raised just as He said." (Mt 28:1-10)

The risen Jesus has proved that man, together

with Him, can have power over sin and therefore
death. Jesus, help raise us, deliver us from sin,
from evil, give us Your light, give us Your joy.
Rekindle inside us the love, the faith, the
hopefulness, and the gift of prayer. Let us ask
Mary for the gift of an unshakeable faith.



Second Glorious Mystery

The Ascension of Our Lord

As Jesus blessed them He parted from them

and was taken up to heaven. (Lk 24:44-53)

Jesus, You have not deserted Your apostles in

anguish, but have given them the joy of knowing
Jesus "glorified" over 40 days . After Your
Ascension, You granted to all those who seek You
the gift of receiving You in the Eucharist. Through
Mary we trust in you. Mary, give us the gift of
hope.



Third Glorious Mystery

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to

them, "Peace be with you. Receive the Holy
Spirit." (Jn 14:15-21)

Jesus, infuse us with the Comforter, the Holy

Ghost, enlighten us with the light of Your Spirit,
with His strength enter in the deepest parts of
our hearts and heal us. Deliver us, fill up our
hearts with Your love. Make us apostles of Yours,
dear Lord. Let us ask Mary the gift of true love,
the gift of prayer from the heart. 

"Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the
powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary,Your well-beloved Spouse."



Fourth Glorious Mystery

The Assumption of Our Lady into

Heaven

"Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free

from all stain of original sin, when the course of
her earthly life was finished, was taken up
body and soul into heavenly glory." (from
Munificentissimus Deus (1950):DS 3903)

Now that Mary is raised into heaven, She prays

for Her sons and daughters, those sons and
daughters Jesus left Her when He was on the
cross. Mary, pray for us, You know our fears, take
us into Your Heart, the Heart of a Mother. Help us
now and in the time of our death to be with You
in Heaven. We ask of you a devotion to Your
Immaculate Heart, where we may take refuge in
times of trouble.
 Fifth Glorious Mystery

The Coronation of the Blessed

Virgin Mary

"We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the

new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in
heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf
of the members of Christ." (from the Solemn
Profession of Faith: Credo of the People of
God)

Let us trust in Mary, Let us call to Her, let us love

Her, let us confide in Her, because She gives Her
all to us. We have a Mother in Heaven who is also
a Queen; thus we need to turn to Her with full
faith and hopefulness. If we ask for something
while praying the Holy Rosary, it will be granted
to us. Ask Her for the gift of prayer, a prayer of
the heart, said only for love, a love for Her and
Jesus. Let us also ask for a consistency of prayer,
to always be joined to Her Heart, and therefore
to the Heart of Jesus.