The Holy Rosary
   of the Roman Catholic Church   

 "Whatever you ask through the Rosary shall be granted."
Promise of Our Lady to St. Dominic

The Mysteries of Light

     On October 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II, celebrated his 24th anniversary as the Holy Father.  On that day, he proclaimed October 2002 to October 2003 as THE YEAR OF THE ROSARY.  He also announced a rare change in the rosary itself, new mysteries called The Mysteries of Light or the Luminous Mysteries, consisting of 5 decades honoring the ministry of Jesus on earth.

 

The Holy Father has suggested this schedule:

 

  • Sunday: Glorious
    		•
  • Monday: Joyful
    		•
  • Tuesday: Sorrowful
    		•
  • Wednesday: Glorious
    		•
  • Thursday: Luminous
    		•
  • Friday: Sorrowful
    		•
  • Saturday: Joyful
    		•

  • You are free to pray the Rosary on any schedule you would like.  For beginners, even one mystery a day is a good start!

    How to Pray the Rosary of The Blessed Virgin.

          Saying the Rosary in meditation is one of the highest forms of prayer through which we venerate Mary (centered on her son Jesus) and deepen our awareness of the meaning of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The Knights of Columbus, under the leadership of Supreme Knight, have pledged devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and present special "Knights of Columbus Rosary" to each new member enrolled in the society.

          Marian devotion expresses an authentic Catholic spirituality altogether suited to both the present and the future of the people of God. Join with us as we meditate on the unfolding mysteries of Jesus Christ in the World.

    1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostle's Creed.
    2. Say the Our Father.
    3. Say one Hail Mary for each of the three beads.
    4. Say the Glory Be between the two beads.
    5. Announce and meditate on the First Mystery and then say the Our Father.
    6. Say one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads.
    7. Say the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
    8. Announce and meditate on the Second Mystery and then say the Our Father. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Mysteries.
    9. Say the Hail Holy Queen.

    Sign of the Cross

    In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
     

    The 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 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 to judge the living and the dead. * I believe in the Holy Ghost, 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 our 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.

     

    O My Jesus

     

    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.

     

    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 towards us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. L:  Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.    R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

    The Mysteries of the Rosary

     

           1st JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Annunciation of Mary
           2nd JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Visitation of Mary
           3rd JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Nativity of Our Lord
           4th JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
           5th JOYFUL MYSTERY: The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple

            1st SORROWFUL MYSTERY: The Agony in the Garden
            2nd SORROWFUL MYSTERY: The Scourging at the Pillar
            3rd SORROWFUL MYSTERY: The Crowning with Thorns
            4th SORROWFUL MYSTERY: The Carrying of the Cross
            5th SORROWFUL MYSTERY: The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross
     
           1st GLORIOUS MYSTERY: The Resurrection of Our Lord
           2nd GLORIOUS MYSTERY: The Ascension of Our Lord
           3rd GLORIOUS MYSTERY: The Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles
           4th GLORIOUS MYSTERY: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
           5th GLORIOUS MYSTERY: The Coronation of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth
     
           1st LUMINOUS MYSTERY: The Baptism in the Jordan
           2nd LUMINOUS MYSTERY: The Wedding at Cana
           3rd LUMINOUS MYSTERY: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
           4th LUMINOUS MYSTERY: The Transfiguration
           5th LUMINOUS MYSTERY: The Institution of the Eucharist

    THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT
    LUMINOUS MYSTERIES

    The First Luminous Mystery
    The Baptism in the Jordan

    "Here, as Christ descends into the waters, the innocent one who became 'sin' for our sake (cf. 2Cor 5:21), the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son (cf. Mt 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out." (no. 21)

    The Second Luminous Mystery
    The Wedding at Cana

    "The first of the signs, given at Cana (cf. John 2:1- 12), when Christ changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among believers." 

    The Third Luminous Mystery
    The Proclamation of the Kingdom

    "The preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mark 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust (cf. Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48): the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to his Church (cf. John 20:22-23)." 

    The Fourth Luminous Mystery
    The Transfiguration

    "The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to 'listen to him' (cf. Luke 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit." 

    The Fifth Luminous Mystery
    The Institution of the Eucharist

    "Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies 'to the end' his love for humanity (John 13:1), for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice."