T he word Rosary
means "Crown of Roses". Our Lady has revealed to several
people that each time they say a Hail Mary they are giving her
a beautiful rose and that each complete Rosary makes her a crown
of roses. The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary
is the rose of all devotions and it is therefore the most important
one. The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within
it lies the awesome story of our salvation. With the Rosary in
fact we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow and the glory
of Jesus and Mary. It's a simple prayer, humble so much like Mary.
It's a prayer we can all say together with Her, the Mother of
God. With 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. With your prayer made
together with Your heavenly Mother, you can obtain the great gift
of bringing about a change of hearts and conversion. Each day,
through prayer you can drive away from yourselves and from your
homeland many dangers and many evils.
It can seem a repetitive prayer but instead it is like two sweethearts
who many times say one another the words: "I love you"...
A devout exercise to perform praying the Rosary to obtain any
request is the "54-day Rosary Novena"
in honor of Our Lady of Pompeii.
You can find the History of the Rosary reading the Secret
of the Rosary of Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort.
The Holy Father John Paul II with the Apostolic Letter
ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE of
10/16/2002 has added 5 new mysteries of the Rosary:
The Mysteries of the Light.
on monday and saturday
1st - The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a
city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man
whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's
name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said: "Hail,
thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed
art thou among women". And when she saw him, she was troubled
at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation
this should be.And the angel said unto her:" Fear not, Mary:
for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive
in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest"...
And Mary said:" Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto
me according to thy word". And the angel departed from her.
(Luk 1,26-38)
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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
2nd - The visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth
Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with
haste, into a city of Juda. And entered into the house of Zacharias,
and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth
heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and she spake out with
a loud voice, and said: "Blessed art thou among women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb". ... And Mary said: "My
soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God
my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:
for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is
his name"...(Luk 1,39-49)
Mary goes to visit Elisabeth: She carries God to Her cousin,
for the love of Her brothers and neighbours. Lord help us to carry
Christ to others, like Mary did. Let us ask Mary the gift of burning
charity.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
3rd - The nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn
son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were
in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and
they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: "Fear
not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city
of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be
a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger". (Luk 2,6-12)
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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
4th - The presentation of Jesus to the Temple
And when the days of her purification according to the law of
Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present
him to the Lord; And to offer a sacrifice according to that which
is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two
young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose
name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting
for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
...When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him
after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms,
and blessed God, and said: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant
depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen
thy salvation... A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory
of thy people Israel." And Joseph and his mother marvelled
at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them,
and said unto Mary his mother: "Behold, this child is set
for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign
which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through
thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."(Luk
2,22-35)
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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
5th - The finding of Jesus in the Temple
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the
passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem
after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the
days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem;
and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing
him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they
sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they
found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them,
and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished
at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they
were amazed: and his mother said unto him: "Son, why hast
thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought
thee sorrowing". And he said unto them: "How is it that
ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And
he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject
unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
(Luk 2,41-51)
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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
on tuesday and friday
1st - The Agony of Jesus in the garden
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and
saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began
to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them: "My
soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and
watch with me". And he went a little farther, and fell on
his face, and prayed, saying: "O my Father, if it be possible,
let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as
thou wilt". (Mat 26,36-39). And being in an agony
he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops
of blood falling down to the ground. (Luk 22,44)
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.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
2nd -The scourging of Jesus at the pillar
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of
the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And
when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him
to Pontius Pilate the governor. And Jesus stood before the governor:
and the governor asked him, saying: "Art thou the King of
the Jews?" And Jesus said unto him: "Thou sayest".
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered
nothing. Then said Pilate unto him:" Hearest thou not how
many things they witness against thee?" And he answered him
to never a word Pilate saith unto them: "What shall I do
then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all say unto
him: "Let him be crucified!" And the governor said:"
Why, what evil hath he done?" But they cried out the more,
saying: "Let him be crucified!" (Mat 27). And
so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto
them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
(Mar 15,15) ss
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.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
3rd - The Crowning with Thorns
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall,
and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped
him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted
a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his
right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him,
saying:" Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit upon
him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that
they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put
his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. (Mat
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.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
4th - The Carrying of the Cross
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian,
coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that
he might bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great company
of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
But Jesus turning unto them said: "Daughters of Jerusalem,
weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say,
Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the
paps which never gave suck". ... And there were also two
other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.. (Luk
23,26-32)
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, so that Her and Jesus
may bear it.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
5th - The crucifixion and death of Jesus
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's
sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus
therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he
loved, he saith unto his mother:" Woman, behold thy son!"
Then saith he to the disciple: "Behold thy mother!"
And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (
Joh 19,25-27)
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.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
on wednesday and sunday
1st - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first
day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see
the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for
the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled
back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. And the angel answered
and said unto the women: "Fear not ye! For I know that ye
seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here. For he is risen,
as he said". (Mat 28,1-6)
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.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
2nd - The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven
And as they are speaking these things, Jesus himself stood in
the midst of them, and saith to them, "Peace to you";
being amazed, and becoming affrighted, they were thinking themselves
to see a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are ye troubled?
and wherefore do reasonings come up in your hearts? see my hands
and my feet, that I am he; handle me and see, because a spirit
hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me having." And having
said this, he shewed to them the hands and the feet. ... "And,
lo, I do send the promise of my Father upon you, but ye -- abide
ye in the city of Jerusalem till ye be clothed with power from
on high." And he led them forth without -- unto Bethany,
and having lifted up his hands he did bless them, and it came
to pass, in his blessing them, he was parted from them, and was
borne up to the heaven. (Luk 24,36-51)
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 recieving You in the Eucharist. Through
Mary we trust in you. Mary, give us the gift of hope.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
3rd - The Descent of the Holy Ghost
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with
one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues
like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Act 2,1-4)
Jesus, inffuse 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."
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
4th - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
Blessed art thou of the most high God above all the women upon
the earth; and blessed be the Lord God, which hath created the
heavens and the earth, which hath directed thee to the cutting
off of the head of the chief of our enemies. ... Thou hast done
all these things by thine hand: thou hast done much good to Israel,
and God is pleased therewith: blessed be thou of the Almighty
Lord for evermore. And all the people said, So be it. (Jdt
13,18-20; 15,10)
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.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
5th - The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven
and Earth
There appeared a great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with
the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown
of twelve stars. (Rev 12,1)
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.
bead-by-bead
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be
on thursday
from Apostolic Letter ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE
1st - The Baptism of Jesus
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized
by you, and do you come to me?"
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to
do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At
that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.
(Mt 3,13-17)
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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
2nd - The wedding of Cana
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus'
mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited
to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to
him, "They have no more wine."
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied,
"My time has not yet come."
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for
ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water";
so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now
draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that
had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come
from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he
called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out
the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests
have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana
of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put
their faith in him. (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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
3rd - The proclamation of the Kingdom of God
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God
is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (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).
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
4th - The Transfiguration
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and
James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was
praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became
as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah,
appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke
about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment
at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when
they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing
with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master,
it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one
for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know
what he was saying.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and
they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from
the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen
to him." When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus
was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no
one at that time what they had seen.(Luk 9,28-35)
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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
5th - The institution of the Eucharist
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke
it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this
is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and
they all drank from it.
"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for
many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will
not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I
drink it anew in the kingdom of God." (Mk 14,22-25)
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.
Our Father 10 Hail Marys Glory Be My Jesus
