The Rosary is a set of beads intended to lead us in prayer.
Each bead guides us to reflect upon the events and mysteries in the lives of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Scriptural Rosary
is an excellent vessel for incorporating Sacred Scripture in the Rosary Prayers. Use your imagination to re-visit the earthly lives of Jesus
and the Blessed Mother. Contemplate the mysteries of incarnation, the sacraments, and God's all omnipotent power in your life.
Using the rosary beads helps us to stay focused and protects us from the many distractions that can rob us of the gift of PRAYER.
A personal recommendation is to offer an Act of Contrition before praying the Rosary. The scriptures speak of sins of the heart, which interfere with our prayers being answered. (Peter I 3:7, Matthew 5:23-24)
Act of Contrition
Oh my God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned
against You whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid
whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.
Amen.
With the commitment to do good and with contrition in your heart, proceed to lift up your heart to the Lord.
Begin the recitation of the Rosary with:
The Sign of the Cross
(In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.) Amen.
The sign of the Cross is symbolic of victory and blessings invoking
the presence of the Holy Trinity and professes our redemption.
The crucifix is kissed in reverence and respect for the saving act of our Lord. This outward sign is a symbol of total submission and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose 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 again in glory 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 life everlasting.
Amen.
The Apostles Creed is our profession of faith, reaffirms in our hearts, and minds what we believe as Catholics. We make the same profession of faith as the Apostles and the early church Fathers.
We continue to affirm our profession of faith until the coming of Christ.
Proceed to the prayer Jesus taught us as we pray to God the Father.
Then Pray three Hail Marys.
Hail Mary ... The Gift of Hope
Hail Mary ... The Gift of Charity
Hail Mary ... The Gift of Faith
After the three Hail Marys, give God Glory and Honor by praying ...
Glory be to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end.
Amen.
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven and help especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
Amen.
Entering the reflective and meditative part of the Rosary, we announce the first Mystery. Now is a good time to Pray for a specific grace relating to the reflection of the Mystery. After a short prayer, offer your Rosary or first decade for a specific intention.
Suggestions: A Rosary of Thanksgiving. A Rosary of Faith. A Rosary for the Acceptance of God's Will.
Pray the Our Father ...
Pray ten consecutive Hail Marys ...
After the first decade, we give Glory to God by Praying the Glory Be to the Father ...
Then we pray Fatima Prayer ... Reflect on the Fatima prayer. If there are additional intentions, begin to offer them during this meditative moment before beginning the next decade.
Announce the Second Mystery, and then Pray the Our Father.
Pray the next ten Hail Marys as you reflect on the Mystery.
Continue the process until the rosary decades are complete.
