66787 RsaryBk B-24-15.r1 FMA B-24/04 Rosary book.r2 · PDF filethat you remember us sometimes in prayer? ... 66787 RsaryBk B-24-15.r1_FMA B-24/04 Rosary book.r2 6 ... my son, performed

YOUR ROSARY

BOOKLET

_

66787 RsaryBk B-24-15.r1_FMA B-24/04 Rosary book.r2 6/24/15 9:16 AM P

2

Dear Friend, Bishop James E. Walsh of Maryknoll found

tremendous support in the Rosary while aprisoner of the Communists.

He couldn’t say Mass, couldn’t recite hisBreviary; but he had his ten fingers to count theHail Marys on. Some days he said 6 Rosaries;other days, 12 or even 18.

The Rosary was a never-failing lifeline allthrough his twelve prison years. Although lifeseemed rather wearisome at times, he wasnever unhappy or despondent. The Rosaryministered to his deep need to keep in touchwith God.

Whenever he felt oppressed by any trouble,the Rosary afforded him hope and consolation.Instead of worrying about people, he offeredhis “Rosary ministry” for them. You may be surehe didn’t accidentally stumble upon the Rosarydevotion in prison. For many years previouslyhe had said a 15-decade Rosary daily.

Are you perhaps “stumbling” upon theRosary for the first time as you read this booklet? Or have you been a friend of theRosary for years? In any case, Franciscan missionaries and our Franciscan MissionAssociates trust you will find the Rosary a richsource of blessings from now on. May we askthat you remember us sometimes in prayer?Thank you and God bless you!


3

How to UseYour Rosary Booklet

When Bishop James E. Walsh was a prisoner of the Communists, the Rosary heprayed so often was truly a Rosary ofFaith. It served him as a refresher coursein Christian doctrine. Let me quote him onthat:

“The mysteries provided a clear and complete review of the great centraltruths of religion and the great crucialevents in the history of God’s dealingswith His universe.”

As you are surely aware, in recent yearsmany of these “great central truths” and“great crucial events” have been questioned and disputed. It’s no longershocking or even startling to hear aCatholic say, “I just don’t know what tobelieve anymore.”

That you may know what to believe,this little Rosary of Faith booklet has been prepared.

It is intended as a refresher course inChristian doctrine. Each meditation focuses on one major truth or event in salvation history.

If you use this booklet often, these mysteries of our faith will remain vividlypresent to your heart and mind. Your


desire to remain faithful will be strength-ened, and doubts will vanish as does thedarkness when daylight approaches.

There are 20 Rosary mysteries. The joyful mysteries are said on Monday andSaturday; the sorrowful mysteries onTuesday and Friday; the glorious myster-ies on Wednesday and Sunday; the lumi-nous mysteries on Thursday.

The Bead Prayers

The chart on page 25 shows whichprayers are to be said. The text of theseprayers is found on pages 26, 27, 28 and 29.

4

The essence of prayer lies not in being always

on your knees, but in conforming

your will totally to God in all the events of life.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal


5

MARY’S MESSAGE: In this mystery twogreat truths of faith are combined: theTrinity and the Incarnation. It is theFather’s Son who becomes man by thepower of the Holy Spirit. The Son took onour humanity, and made us partakers ofhis divinity. Mankind couldn’t reach up toGod; so God reached down, down to makefruitful the womb of a humble virgin.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, teach meto welcome the will of the Father, of theSon, and of the Holy Spirit in my daily life.May I always remain the Lord’s loving servant, firm in faith and joyful in hope.Amen.

Now recite the decade.

1st Joyful Mystery:

THE ANNUNCIATIONSUGGESTED READING: Luke 1: 26-38


6

MARY’S MESSAGE: This mystery recallsmy three-month visit with Elizabeth andZechariah. May it remind you that God’sSon didn’t just come earthward on a shortvisit. He is with His Church until the endof the world. His Spirit, who sanctified theunborn John the Baptist, is also yourSanctifier. May you guard the rich depositof faith with the help of the Divine Spiritwho dwells in you.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray thatI may hold fast to the word of life. In thehour of my death, may I be ushered intothe celestial mansions for an unendingeternity of bliss. Amen.


2nd Joyful Mystery:

THE VISITATIONSUGGESTED READING: Luke 1: 39-57


7

MARY’S MESSAGE: Born of the Fatherbefore time began, Jesus Christ was bornas a child in a lowly stable. He is my Son.I heard the straw crackle under his babyback in the manger. I saw him shed hisfirst tears. I helped him to take his firstunsteady steps. Now I reign with him inheavenly glory.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, by God’sgrace I am now passing through thishuman life. May it be a life of faith in yourSon who loved us and gave himself for oursalvation, first in the manger ofBethlehem and afterwards on the cross ofCalvary. Amen.


3rd Joyful Mystery:

THE BIRTH OF OUR LORDSUGGESTED READING: Luke 2: 1-20


8

MARY’S MESSAGE: Joseph and I journeyed to Jerusalem to present theChild to his Father. Simeon, that greatman of faith, held the Lord’s Anointed inhis arms. Then he was willing to die, for hehad seen the Lord’s salvation! For perhapsan hour, the temple priests had Jesus intheir midst. Then they let him go, inexchange for a pair of birds.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, may Iprize my faith too dearly to accept anything in exchange. May I be presentedto God with a purified soul, holding fast tofaith, firmly grounded and steadfast in it.Amen.


4th Joyful Mystery:

THE PRESENTATIONSUGGESTED READING: Luke 2: 22-38


9

MARY’S MESSAGE: For mysterious reasons of his own, the boy Jesusremained in the temple after the Passovercelebrations. When God appeared on earthin a visible way, his words and actionswere sometimes puzzling, even bewilder-ing. Had Jesus explained his plan to us,we need not have sought him in sorrow.Learn from Joseph and me to walk in faithall the days of your earthly pilgrimage.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help me tokeep my eyes fixed on Jesus who inspiresand perfects our faith. May this faith sustain me in joy and in sorrow until Ifinally find my Savior God in the heavenlytemple. Amen.


5th Joyful Mystery:

THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLESUGGESTED READING: Luke 2: 41-52

66787 RsaryBk B-24-15.r2_FMA B-24/04 Rosary book.r2 7/2/15 3:50 PM Pa

10

MARY’S MESSAGE: According to Jewishlaw, Joseph and I presented Jesus as ababy in the Temple; then came blessedSimeon’s confession that he had finallyseen Jesus, the Light of the world. Muchlater, as a grown man, Jesus came to theriver Jordan, there to be baptized by John,his cousin. During his baptism, the Spiritof God descended, bathing the entire scenein light. From the heavens God said: “Thisis my beloved Son.” Mt 3:17

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help mefollow your Son and always remain a person of light and joy. May the light presented to me at my baptism remainbright for all of us on our pilgrim’s way toour heavenly home. Amen.


1st Luminous Mystery:

BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRISTSUGGESTED READING: Mt 3:17


11

MARY’S MESSAGE: I was more thanpleased but somewhat stunned whenJesus, my son, performed his first miracleat the wedding we attended in Cana ofGalilee. For a while, I felt that he hadignored me and my plea to help the newlyweds. His miraculous changing ofwater into wine brought light to a dark situation and eventually serenity to allthe guests.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, allow meto feel the joy you experienced when Jesusperformed his first miracle. May I hearyour words to the waiters: “Do whateverhe tells you” (Jn 2:5) and be as swift asthey in fulfilling all of Jesus’ commandsand counsels. Amen.


2nd Luminous Mystery:

CHRIST REVEALS HIMSELF AT CANASUGGESTED READING: John 2: 1-12


12

MARY’S MESSAGE: My son, Jesus, proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom ofGod, calling everyone to conversion. Heannounced the ministry of the light of themercy of God, which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament ofReconciliation, now entrusted to hischurch. Jesus taught that the light ofpeace would overcome the darkness ofhatred. PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help us bemen and women of goodness. May we begenerous flames of light to brighten ourspace of existence. May the light of thegoodness of our lives gain its increase inthe radiance of the grand beacon of Light,Who is Jesus Christ. Amen. Now recite the decade.

3rd Luminous Mystery:PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM

AND CALL TO CONVERSIONSUGGESTED READING: Mark 1:15


13

MARY’S MESSAGE: Mount Taborremained always in the apostles’ memorywhen the divine glory of Jesus was shownto them. I was pleased for them becauseevery day for the previous thirty years Iwas fortunate and blessed to be in hislight, enjoying the happiness of his presence. His apostles, however, needed tosee with their own eyes Jesus, trans -figured in the grand light of the Godhead.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help mekeep my resolve always to listen to JesusChrist and to put his words into dailypractice. May I always stay close to yourSon and be like him in doing good alwaysand everywhere. Amen.


4th Luminous Mystery:

THE TRANSFIGURATIONSUGGESTED READING: Luke 9:35


14

MARY’S MESSAGE: The ThursdayPassover meal when he instituted the HolyEucharist, offering his body and blood as theeternal food for all of us, reminded me of ourmany family meals together in Nazareth.John told me how that Seder meal went,what Jesus said and did the evening beforehis death. You could say that in a rather special way I was uniquely present at theLast Supper because it was from my bodythat Jesus received his flesh and blood. PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, how fortunate I am to be able to receive the Bodyand Blood of your Son in daily Communion.Grateful for the Holy Eucharist as thememorial of his suffering and death, we praydaily that we may experience the salvationHe won for us, now and forever. Amen.


5th Luminous Mystery:

INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARISTSUGGESTED READING: John 13:1


15

MARY’S MESSAGE: The sorrowful mysteries lasted only hours, but theyremain etched in my memory forever. Mayit be the same for you whom Christ hasredeemed at such great personal cost.Remember always his agony in the garden. Remember the sweat falling likedrops of blood to the ground. Rememberthe immense love he bore you, centuriesbefore you were born. Be ready to confessyour faith in him without hesitating.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, may therebe enkindled in my heart a fire of faithand a love to match Christ’s love for me inthe garden of sorrows. Amen.


1st Sorrowful Mystery:

THE AGONY IN THE GARDENSUGGESTED READING: Luke 22: 39-44


16

MARY’S MESSAGE: The Lamb of Godendured the most cruel of scourgings. Itwas the agony of the flesh after the agonyof the spirit. Pilate’s underlings were notlimited to 40 lashes, as were Jewish soldiers. Rest assured that Jesus didn’tkeep count. He kept no record of what heendured for sinners.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray forme that I may always be found faithfuland generous. May the blood of the spotless Lamb cleanse me and make me worthy to stand before him holy, free of allreproach and blame. Amen.


2nd Sorrowful Mystery:

THE SCOURGINGSUGGESTED READING: Mark 15: 1-15


17

MARY’S MESSAGE: My Son Jesus had tobe crowned with thorns before beingcrowned with honor. His Amen of acceptance before Pilate had to precedehis Alleluia of joyous triumph in heaven’shalls of glory. Look upon my Son, that youmay not lose heart when you suffer.Remain faithful to what you have learnedand believed because you know that faithin Jesus leads to salvation and life everlasting.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray forme that I may keep the faith as I finishthe race. May the Lord God grant me, onthe day of rewards, a crown of glory in theeternal dwellings. Amen.


3rd Sorrowful Mystery:

THE CROWNING WITH THORNSSUGGESTED READING: Mt. 27: 27-31


18

MARY’S MESSAGE: No apostle, disciple,or friend stepped forward to help Jesus onthe rugged road to the crucifixion. Simonof Cyrene did so, under compulsion. Theabsence of his chosen ones must havegrieved Jesus; yet he uttered no reproach.There is no reproach on his lips now as hesees some former followers turning away.They find the cross of fidelity too heavy.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, turn yourmerciful eyes upon all who have lost theirfaith or are in danger of losing it. Motherof Faith, lead them back to him who is theWay, the Truth, and the Life. Amen.


4th Sorrowful Mystery:

THE CARRYING OF THE CROSSSUGGESTED READING: Mark 15: 20-25


19

MARY’S MESSAGE: Look upon thepierced feet of the Saving Victim on yourcrucifix. Those are the feet of a kindlyshepherd running tirelessly after lostsheep; the feet of a bearer of glad tidings ofsalvation; the feet that alighted on earthlysoil and made it holy ground. The blessedfeet of the Redeemer follow the sinnerdown the nights, down the days, down thearches of the years, as the poet wrote.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray thatI may have strong feet and a loving heartto follow my Lord. May I cling faithfully tohim in life and in death. Amen.


5th Sorrowful Mystery:

THE CRUCIFIXIONSUGGESTED READING: Mark 15: 27-41


20

MARY’S MESSAGE: It was a greater miracle to emerge from a grave on Sundaymorning than to come down from a crosson Friday afternoon. Jesus is the RisenLord, Firstborn of the dead; and your resurrection will be patterned upon hisown. Take him at his word, cleave to him,for he will do for you according to his magnificent promises.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, join me inmagnifying the Lord and in rejoicing inGod our Savior. He is the Resurrection andthe Life, the God who pledges to summonhis sons and daughters forth from dust tosplendor. Amen.


1st Glorious Mystery:THE RESURRECTION

SUGGESTED READING: Mt. 28: 1-15


21

MARY’S MESSAGE: Two angels told thesky-gazing Galileans, “This Jesus who hasbeen taken from you will return, just asyou saw him go up into the heavens.” Inthat one sentence you find three majortruths: There is a heaven; Jesus ascendedto heaven; Jesus will come again. “Whenthe Son of Man comes, will he find anyfaith on the earth?” (Luke 18: 8) May healways find in your heart and soul thatvibrant faith he praised so often duringhis public ministry.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, continueto intercede for me that I may never befound lacking in faith, hope, and love.Amen.


2nd Glorious Mystery:

THE ASCENSIONSUGGESTED READING: Acts 1: 1-14


22

MARY’S MESSAGE: The Holy Spiritformed Christ within me. He wants toform Christ in you. That is why you havebeen reborn of water and the Holy Spirit.That is why you have had your personalPentecost, like the apostles and earlychristians. Let the strengthening Spirit dohis work in you. Believe me, it will bemade beautiful and glorious for God yourFather!

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray forme that I may allow the Divine Spirit freerein in my life. May I follow his guidance,heed his inspirations, and allow him tomold me into the image of your Son Jesus.Amen.


3rd Glorious Mystery:

THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRITSUGGESTED READING: Acts 2: 1-41


23

MARY’S MESSAGE: The Father, whoassociated me with Jesus in the mystery ofredemption, chose also to associate mewith Jesus in the mystery of glorification.Our Catholic faith proclaims that I wasraised body and soul into heavenly glorywhen my earthly years were ended. I have been likened to my Risen Son in anticipation of the lot that awaits all thejust. This is your faith. Cherish it.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, continueto cooperate in the birth and growth ofdivine life in our souls. Help us until wereach our heavenly homeland, there torejoice with Jesus and you forever. Amen.


4th Glorious Mystery:

THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADYSUGGESTED READING: Judith 13: 17-20


24

MARY’S MESSAGE: The Son and hisMother have entered into an eternalinheritance. The same inheritance awaitsall those who possess eternal life becausethey believe in the name of Jesus Christ.By accepting him as God’s Son throughfaith, you receive Christ Himself whobecomes in you the source of eternal life.Continue in faith, in hope, in love, that noone may rob you of your prize.

PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, may yourHoly Rosary deepen my faith, strengthenmy hope, increase my love until I beholdyou face to face in the kingdom where youreign as Queen beside the immortal Kingof Ages. Amen.


5th Glorious Mystery:

THE CORONATION OF OUR LADYSUGGESTED READING: I Pet. 1: 3-9


25

The Bead Prayers A Visualization

Continue each decade:

Announce the Mystery(reflect on it)Pray the Our FatherRecite 10 Hail MarysRecite the Glory Be

Our FatherAnnouncethe mysteryGlory be

Hail Mary(on eachbead)

Our FatherAnnounce the mysteryGlory be

Our Father

Apostles’ CreedMake the Signof the Cross

Hail Holy QueenRosary Prayer

Hail Mary(on each bead)

➞

➞

➞

➞

➞

➞

➞

▲

▲

➞


26

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the

Father.He will come again to judge the living and

the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.


27

The Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 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.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,the Lord is with you.Blessed are you among womenand blessed is the fruit of your womb,Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.


28

The Glory…

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and tothe Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, isnow, and will be for ever. Amen.

Fatima Prayer(to be said after the Glory… after each decade)

O, my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save usfrom the fires of hell. Lead all souls toHeaven, especially those in most need ofThy Mercy.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Hailour Life, our Sweetness, and our Hope. Tothee do we cry, poor banished children ofEve; to thee do we send up our sighs,mourning and weeping in this vale oftears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate,thine eyes of mercy towards us; and afterthis our exile show unto us the blessedfruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God;

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


29

Prayer

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by Hislife, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternallife; grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of themost holy rosary of the Blessed VirginMary, we may learn to imitate what theycontain and obtain what they promise,through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,that never was it known that anyone whofled to your protection, implored your help,or sought your intercession was left unaid-ed. Inspired with this confidence, I flyunto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.To you I come, before you I stand, sinfuland sorrowful. O Mother of the Wordincarnate, despise not my petitions, but inyour mercy hear and answer me. Amen.


30

Blessing of St. Francis

The Lord bless you andkeep you

May He show His faceto you and have

mercy on youMay He turn His

countenance to you andgive you peace.

The Lord bless you!

Numbers 6:24-26


31

The Popes on the Rosary

With the Rosary, the Christian people sitsat the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face ofChrist and to experience the depths of his love.

–Saint John Paul II

The Rosary …is a form of union with Godand has a most uplifting effect on the soul.

–Saint John XXIII

Place your confidence in the Holy Rosary.Use this most powerful form of prayerwith the utmost possible zeal, and let itbecome more and more esteemed.

–Pius XII

The Rosary …is also a powerful incentiveand encouragement to the practice ofChristian virtues, and these it developsand cultivates in our soul. Above all, it preserves and nourishes our Catholicfaith.

–Pius XI


B-24/15

Franciscan Mission AssociatesP.O. Box 598, Mount Vernon, New York 10551-0598

www.franciscanmissionassoc.org

WE HAVE A DREAM

In a poignant description of the plight ofLatin American peoples, a writer has stated that they are “betrayed for profit,condemned by indifference, scourged byideologies.” Daily they “drag their crossesup a million calvaries, there to die withthirst unquenched and hunger gnawing.”Jesus Christ is continuing the sorrowfulmysteries of His Passion in them.

That is why your Franciscan mission -aries have a dream, a beautiful dream: Wewant those peoples to experience something of life’s joyful and glorious mysteries. We want to share spiritual andmaterial blessings with them; to secure forthem the spiritual and temporal rights towhich their human dignity entitles them.

Please continue your spiritual andmaterial support for which we are deeplygrateful.

“Happy are those who dream dreamsand are able to make them come true.”With God’s help and yours, our dream shallcome true!


Documents

66787 RsaryBk B-24-15.r1 FMA B-24/04 Rosary book.r2 · PDF filethat you remember us sometimes in prayer? ... 66787 RsaryBk B-24-15.r1_FMA B-24/04 Rosary book.r2 6 ... my son, performed