|
Saying the Rosary
Saying the rosary consists of three parts: An introduction (the “end”
of the rosary with the cross; as through a door you enter the place of prayer
which is being filled with the words of the prayers, then the actual rosary
and finally a conclusive prayer.
(It is important to say the rosary slowly and attentively, so that the words
may touch your soul and direct it at God with Mary through Jesus Christ in
the spirit.)
Saying the rosary begins with crossing yourself and the words:
“In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Now you pick up the rosary and say the creed:
Creed
“I believe in one God, the almighty Father,
Creator of heaven and earth,
Of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
Only-begotten Son of God, born of God before all times,
God of God, Light of light, true God of the true God.
Born, not created, one in being with the Father, through whom all things
were created.
He descended from heaven for us, humans, and for the sake of our
salvation.
He assumed the flesh through the holy Spirit out of the virgin Mary, and
became man.
He was crucified for us.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate and was buried.
He was raised from the dead on the third day, according to the
Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven: is sitting on the right hand of the Father.
He will return in glory to judge living and dead and his kingdom will
never end.
I believe in the holy Spirit who is Lord and gives life,
Who emanates from the Father and the Son;
who is worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son;
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I profess one baptism for the remission of sins.
I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the kingdom to
come.
Amen.”
Next is the praise of the triune
God:
“Glory to the Father and the Son and the holy Ghost.
Like it was in the beginning and now and always in the ages to come.
Amen.”
Then you take between your fingers the first separate bead following
the cross of the rosary and you say the Lord’s Prayer.
Next are three beads for three hails of Mary which express her relationship
with the three Divine persons (within the Trinity), followed every time by
the Hail Mary.
Hail Mary, daughter of God the Father.
(…Hail Mary…)
Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son.
(…Hail Mary…)
Hail Mary, Bride of God, the holy Spirit.
This is followed by the “Praise”and the
“Lord’s Prayer” (next separate bead) and saying the actual rosary. It is
composed as follows:
First a mystery of the rosary is mentioned (on the first of the ten beads
that are closer together).
Silence may follow and can be called an intention (something or someone you
want to pray for) and is followed by ten Hail Marys (that is ten beads).
This decade is again concluded with the “Praise”. Next (on the separate bead)
the Lord’s Prayer as beginning of the next decade that is once again preceded
by mentioning a mystery, silence and intention etc.
There are three times five mysteries of the rosary which together sum up the
gospel and the belief of the Roman-Catholic Church concerning Mary.
So saying an entire rosary consists of 150 Hail Marys (three times around the
wreath for the three kinds of mysteries).
Usually a third is said every time. This is called chaplet. On Mondays and
Thursdays the Happy Mysteries are considered, on Tuesdays and Fridays The Sad
ones and on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays The Glorious Mysteries.
It is advisable to learn these by heart:
 The happy mysteries
1. The angel Gabriel delivers Mary the Glad News.
2.Mary visits her niece Elisabeth.
3.Jesus is born in the stable of Bethlehem.
4.Jesus is dedicated in the temple.
5.Jesus is encountered anew in the temple.
The said mysteries
1.Jesus prays to God in anguish.
2.Jesus is whipped.
3.Jesus is crowned with thorns.
4.Jesus carries His cross to Calvary
5.Jesus dies at the cross.
The glorious mysteries
1.Jesus rises from the dead.
2.Jesus ascends to heaven.
3.The holy Ghost descends on the apostles.
4.Mary is assumed.
5.Mary is crowned in heaven.
As a conclusive prayer the “Litany of Loreto” can be said or another Marian Prayer. The rosary is concluded with
the sign of the cross.
UP
|