By Cynthia Aralu

Introduction to 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 centre on the events of Christ’s life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and–added by Saint John Paul II in 2002–the Luminous.” – Excerpt from USCCB

“The Apostles’ Creed is so called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles’ faith. It is the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome. Its great authority arises from this fact: it is ‘the Creed of the Roman Church, the See of Peter, the first of the apostles, to which he brought the common faith.” – Excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 194.

Note From Me:

Image from: https://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/how-to-pray-the-rosary/

I searched the internet for The Rosary prayed in the manner I learnt growing up, to help me in praying The Rosary. I needed the help because it had been years since I had picked up The Rosary to pray. I could not find a single source which held the entirety of the prayers I was accustomed to.

So, I decided to write down a direction of how to pray The Rosary as taught by my mother, as taught by her parents and her “Block Rosary” she attended as a child. It is my hope that this could be of use to Catholics or believers or anyone who needs help reciting The Rosary.

The Rosary can be prayed alone or with a group of believers, led by a prayer lead or said by everyone all together. Turns could be taken to lead the prayer of each mystery as well. It is gold standard, based on the book; The Secret of The Rosary by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, to pray The Rosary in a Catholic Church in a group, and on your knees, and meditate on the Mysteries of the Life, Death, and Glory of Jesus and Mary. This meditation is the core of praying The Rosary.

The Rosary can also be prayed anywhere you find yourself. My advice would be to as much as possible incorporate the Gold standard in your practice. Take the time to be familiar with the diagram and sequence above, paying attention to the direction of the arrows.

Note: One may meditate on a Mystery of the Rosary (for instance “The Annunciation” is a Mystery of The Rosary), as they recite Each Decade of The Rosary (one Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be and so on..). Alternatively, one may begin this meditation prior to praying Each Decade of The Rosary, paying particular focus to the words being said in each decade of The Rosary, i.e., meditate on the words, imagine Jesus and Mary present (Mary as Queen, carrying in her hands, Baby Jesus as King, holding the world in One Hand, a cross atop the world), and allow yourself to be enveloped and lifted up to God. I am not an expert on the Rosary, so what I have shared on this Note is only my viewpoint.

The words prayed in The Rosary are taken or inspired from The Bible.

“Hail Mary, Full of Grace…(Archangel Gabriel’s announcement of the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to Mary or The Words guided by The Holy Spirit to seek Mary’s consent so that Jesus would be given to us, unworthy as we are of anything, through her),

Blessed are you among women….(The Visitation),

Pray for us sinners… (The Bible mentions intercession still goes on in Heaven in Tobit 12:12 and in Revelations and the best person to intercede for us to Jesus is Mary, Mother of Jesus, who is Full of Grace),

Our Father Who art in Heaven…(Jesus gave us this prayer),

Glory Be…(The Bible is full of people praising God. It is good to do the same),

O Our Good Jesus…(A pleasing prayer to God, which asks God to forgive us and others of their sins),

Jesus Have Mercy on us…(A pleasing prayer to God, asking God to forgive us our sins out of the abundance of His mercy, because we are undeserving),

Mother Mary Help us (A pleasing humble prayer to Jesus, asking for the intercession of Mary, out of love for her, Reverence for Jesus and His Sovereignty as God),

May the souls of all the faithful departed…(Praying that God is merciful to all deceased souls of the faithful so that they are granted entrance into heaven. It is a holy practice that is seen in Maccabees).

To Pray The Rosary:

1. Holding The Crucifix, begin by making the sign of the cross. Say: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

2. Still holding The Crucifix, recite the introductory prayer below, followed by the Apostles’ Creed:

Lead: Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of Your faithful

Response: And enkindle in them the fire of Your love.

Lead: Send forth Your spirit and they shall be created.

Response: And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Lead: Let Us Pray

Response: O God, who by The Light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful. Grant by The Same Holy Spirit, that we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His Holy Consolation through The Same Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Lead: And Thou O Lord shall open up our lips

Response: And our tongue shall announce Thy praise

Lead: Incline unto our aid O Lord

Response: O Lord make haste to help us.

Glory Be:

Lead: All Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

Response: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

The Apostles’ Creed:

Lead: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten 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, and is seated at the right hand of God, The Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

Response: 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.

3. On the first bead, say the Our Father.

Lead: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Response: 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.

4. On the next three beads, say three Hail Marys.

Lead: Hail Mary, Full of Grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy Womb, Jesus.

Response: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

5. Say the Glory Be (refer to “Glory Be” prayer on number 2), followed by the Fatima prayer.

Fatima prayer:

Lead: O my good Jesus,

Response: Forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven especially those most in need of your mercy. Amen.

6. Say the following prayers.

Lead: Jesus have mercy on us.

Response: Mother Mary help us.

Lead: May the souls of all the faithful departed,

Response: Through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

7. Holding the next bead, announce the mystery (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous mystery). For example: The Five Joyful Mysteries

The Mystery recited is dependent on the day of the week. Please see below.

8. To begin the First Decade, announce the First Mystery, followed by a brief intention alone or a Bible Verse added. Followed by a meditation on the Mystery. Followed by The Our Father and The 10 Hail Marys and so on, OR the meditation can occur while you pray The Our Father and 10 Hail Marys.

For example, The First Joyful Mystery. The Annunciation. Followed by a brief intention alone or a Bible Verse could be added. Followed by a meditation on the Mystery. Followed by Our Father Who art in heaven…and so on.

OR, The First Joyful Mystery. The Annunciation. Followed by a brief intention alone or a Bible Verse could be added. Followed by Our Father Who art in heaven…and 10 Hail Marys, while meditating on the Mystery being prayed.

FYI: It is Gold Standard to always make an intention with each Mystery.

9. The Our Father is prayed on the centrepiece medallion, while the Ten Hail Marys are prayed on the next Ten Beads of the Decade.

10. On the Chain say Glory Be, followed by The Fatima Prayer, followed by the following:

Lead: Jesus have mercy on us.

Response: Mother Mary help us.

Lead: May the souls of all the faithful departed,

Response: Through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

11. On the next Four Decades of the Rosary, repeat number 8 – 10. Remember to announce The Mystery before you begin praying the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Decade of The Rosary.

For example, The Second Joyful Mystery. The Visitation. Followed by what I mentioned earlier…Please refer back to #8.

12. Pray The Hail Holy Queen.

Hail Holy Queen:

Lead: Hail, Holy Queen,

Response: 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 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.

13. Say the following prayers.

Lead: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

Response: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Lead: Let us pray

Response: O God, whose only Begotten Son, by His Life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; 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.

14. Say the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lead: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Response: Have mercy on us

Lead: Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Response: Pray for us

Lead: St. Joseph

Response: Pray for us

Lead: St. Louis Marie De Montfort

Response: Pray for us

Lead: St. John, the Evangelist

Response: Pray for us.

Lead: Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Lead: Lord, have mercy on us.

Response: Lord, have mercy on us.

Lead: Christ, have mercy on us.

Response: Christ, have mercy on us.

Lead: Lord, have mercy on us.

Response: Lord, have mercy on us.

Lead: Christ, hear us.

Response: Christ, graciously hear us.

Lead: God The Father of Heaven,

Response: Have mercy on us.

Lead: God The Son, Redeemer of the world,

Response: Have mercy on us.

Lead: God The Holy Spirit,

Response: Have mercy on us.

Lead: Holy Trinity, One God,

Response: Have mercy on us.

Lead: Holy Mary,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Holy Mother of God,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Holy Virgin of virgins,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother of Christ,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother of Divine Grace,

Response: pray for us

Lead: Mother most pure,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother most chaste,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother inviolate,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother undefiled,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother most amiable,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother most admirable,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother of Good Counsel,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother of Our Creator,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mother of Our Saviour,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Virgin most prudent,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Virgin most venerable,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Virgin most renowned,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Virgin most powerful,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Virgin most merciful,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Virgin most faithful,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mirror of Justice,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Seat of Wisdom,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Cause of our joy,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Spiritual vessel,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Vessel of honour,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Singular vessel of devotion,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Mystical rose,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Tower of David,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Tower of ivory,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: House of gold,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Ark of the Covenant,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Gate of Heaven,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Morning star,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Health of the sick,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Refuge of sinners,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Comforter of the afflicted,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Help of Christians,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of Angels,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of Patriarchs,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of Prophets,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of Apostles,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of Martyrs,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of Confessors,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of Virgins,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of All Saints,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen conceived without original sin,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen assumed into Heaven,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Queen of my family and loved ones

Response: Pray for us

Lead: Queen of all countries of the world

Response: Pray for us

Lead: Our Lady, Queen of Peace,

Response: pray for us.

Lead: Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Response: Spare us, O Lord.

Lead: Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Response: Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lead: Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,

Response: Have mercy on us.

Lead: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,

Response: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Lead: Let us pray.

Response: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin, we may be delivered from present sorrow and attain eternal happiness. Through The Same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

15. Conclude The Rosary with the Sign of the Cross.

I hope this has been helpful to you!

Thank you for reading today’s post. Remember to like this post and share it with your friends if this has been helpful to you. Follow me on my blog, Katmira’s blog or my podcast, Amara’s Musings, to receive notifications whenever I have a new post. You can also subscribe below to get an email notification whenever a new post is out. This is particularly helpful if you don’t have a WordPress account.

Let it be, until we meet again or “Ka ọ dị” as it is said in Igbo.