I recently have fallen in love with the Rosary and hope that maybe many of you will too. Growing up I was taught the basics of the Rosary, the prayers and the mysteries. I was also taught that if I couldn’t go to sleep I should say the Rosary. If I couldn’t finish saying it, the angels would finish it for me. Sure enough it worked every time I was restless.
However, until recently it never really affected me. I went through the motions. Then one day someone said that the Rosary was like Christmas and Easter wrapped into one. A gift worth opening and if you really concentrate on it, it really can affect you.
People have said to me that you are not suppose to pray to Mary and that the Rosary is all about Mary but that is not true at all. We are asking Mary to intercede on our behalf. While we say the prayers we should actively be thinking about the life of Jesus and all he did for us. For me praying the sorrowful mysteries can bring me to tears because you are re-telling the passion of Christ as if you are there. Not only are we asking Mary to pray for us you can also offer up your prayers for someone else in need. It truly is a beautiful gift and can be life changing.
Many Catholics use rosary beads but I often find myself just using my fingers instead. So there is no right or wrong way. There is no right or wrong time to do it either. I love spending my car rides praying, when I am working out or when I actually have a few quiet moments in my house. Here is the info I think can be helpful. One good website is; http://www.theholyrosary.org/
How to pray the rosary
1. Holding the crucifix, begin with the Sign of the Cross and then say the Apostles Creed
2. On the first large bead say the Our Father
3. On the next three small beads say a Hail Mary on each. While saying the first one pray to increase your faith in God. On the second one pray for a deeper desire of hope. On the third one pray to have charity.
4. Then say one Glory Be prayer. Now you are at the medal that joins the beads. Here is where you announce any prayer intentions you have. Then announce the first mystery (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful or Glorious) depending upon the particular day.
I personally just try to make sure I say each of the mystery sets at least once a week. Some people try and do them all in one day. I don’t think it truly matters what Rosary you say on what day but the Catholic Church has set days to say them on.
5. Then begin the decade with one Our Father while holding the medal.
6. On the ten small beads that follow pray ten Hail Marys.
7. Followed by one Glory Be. Then the Fatima Prayer. After that I have also been saying ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we love you. Save the souls of the unborn children, all priests and religious, all married and families and all those in purgatory.
8. Repeat steps 5-7 starting with an Our Father on the next large bead until you have finished all 5 sets.
9. After the fifth and final decade pray the Hail Holy Queen prayer. I also say: Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. O God whose only begotten Son by his life, death, and Resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant we beseech thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. However, I think this is usually said in a group setting.
10. Now end with the Sign of the Cross.
PRAYERS
Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Apostles Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come 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.
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.
Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Glory Be: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
The Hail, Holy Queen: Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
There are wonderful meditations you can use when praying
how to pray the rosary everyday:
Rosary: http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm#loaded
EWTN devotionals: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/rosary/scripture.htm
If you are interested in me providing more details I am more than willing to, just let me know 🙂
copyright 2014 Sheila M Scarpulla . All rights reserved. No reproduction without written consent
