The Rosary
Traditionally, the months of May and October have been dedicated to the Rosary because some of Mary's apparitions occurred during these months. For those of you not familiar with the Rosary, the following piece may help to introduce you.
The Rosary
The word Rosary comes from the Latin 'Rosa' = Rose, referring to the crown of roses often seen on Mary's head in paintings. The complete Rosary is a prayer consisting of fifteen decades (a decade is one Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's and one Glory be to the Father). The fifteen decades are divided into three groups of five Mysteries - the Joyful, the Sorrowful and the Glorious.
Origin of the Rosary
The origin of the Rosary has been subject to much debate. According to one pious tradition, Mary appeared to St. Dominic (13th Century) when he was trying to convert the Albigenses, a heretical sect, and gave him the Rosary and instructed him to preach it. Another belief, and probably a more accurate explanation of the Rosary's origin, is that it developed gradually as various devotions to Christ and Mary came together during the Middle Ages. The 150 Hail Mary's became for the unlettered faithful a substitute for the 150 Psalms. The Rosary became the "poor man's psalter".
Origin of the "Hail Mary"
'Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you' are the words of the Angel Gabriel to Mary at the Annunciation (Lk. 1:29). 'Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb' are the words of Elizabeth to Mary (Lk. 1:42). Then the Church created the second part of the 'Hail Mary', which simply asks Mary to pray for us.
The Rosary, A Christ-Centered Meditation
While the Rosary is usually associated with Mary, we ought to remember that it is a Christ-centered prayer. It is a unique way for us to meditate on the great events in the life of Jesus. So while the Rosary is recited in honor of Mary, Our Mother, its central focus is Jesus, Our Saviour.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
As we have noted already, there are three sets of five Mysteries. Each group are reflected on different days of the week.
Group One: The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays, Thursdays)
1) The Annunciation- Lk. 1:26-38
2) The Visitation- Lk. 1:39-45
3) The Nativity- Lk. 2:1-8
4) The Presentation- Lk. 2:22-8
5) The Finding in the Temple-Lk. 2:41-50
Group Two: The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Tuesdays, Fridays)
1) The Agony in the Garden- Mk. 1:32-42
2) The Scourging of Jesus- Mk 15:15
3) The Crowning with Thorns- Mk. 15:16-20
4) The Carrying of the Cross- Lk. 23:26-32
5) The Crucifixion- Lk. 23:33-46
Group Three: The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays)
1) The Resurrection- Lk. 24:1-43
2) The Ascension- Lk. 24:50-53
3) The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles- Acts. 2:1-4
4) The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
5) The Coronation of Mary Queen of Heaven
While the above are the traditional fifteen decades of the Rosary, one is also free to reflect on other events in the life of Jesus while praying a decade of the Rosary. Fr. Basil Pennington suggests the following five events to help us meditate on social concern issues:
1) Jesus Feeds the Hungry
2) Jesus Heals the Sick
3) Jesus Respects Women
4) Jesus Reaches out to Outcasts
5) Jesus Honors the Despised
We do not have to pray a whole Rosary at one time. We can pray one or two decades whenever we get a chance. Many people pray a decade of the rosary while traveling in their car.