The world is in much need of prayer, therefore I have decided that our parishes will celebrate a special “Year of the Rosary”. The rosary is a powerful prayer and weapon against evil. So, beginning the first weekend in October (the month of the rosary) through the first weekend of October next year, I am inviting all of our parishioners and families and friends to participate in this special Year of the Rosary to battle the evils of this world.
Here are some ways to participate in the Year of the Rosary:
1. Pray the rosary every day
2. Pray the rosary as a family once per week
3. Form/participate in a monthly home rosary group
4. Come 30 minutes early to Mass on the weekend to pray the rosary
5. Pray a prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary at the end of Mass
6. Meditate on a weekly quote in the bulletin concerning 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 the Luminous that were added by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
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.
Praying the Rosary
Make the Sign of the Cross.
Hold the Crucifix, say an Our Father.
Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.
Say the Glory Be.
For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture, then say the Our Father.
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.
After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen:
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!
The final dialogue and prayer are then said:
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.
Additional Rosary Prayers.