Church of SS. Cosmas and Damian
The Rosary

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary[i]

“All generations will call me blessed”: “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs… This very special devotion… differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.” The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.

How To Pray the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles Creed.”
2. Say the “Our Father.”
3. Say three “Hail Marys.”
4. Say the “Glory be to the Father.”
5. Announce the first mystery; then say the “Our Father.”
6. Say ten “Hail Marys,” while meditating on the mystery.
7. Say the “Glory be to the Father” and the “Fatima Prayer.”
8. Announce the second mystery; then say the “Our Father.” Repeat 6 and 7, and continue with the third, fourth, and fifth mysteries in the same manner.
9. Say the “Hail Holy Queen.”
10. Say the “Prayer after the Rosary.”[ii]

Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries ( prayed on Monday and Saturday)

            Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Humility)[iii]

            Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth (Love of Neighbor)

            Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Spirit of Poverty)

            Presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple (Obedience)

            Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple by Mary and Joseph (Fidelity to Duties)

Sorrowful Mysteries ( prayed on Tuesday and Friday)

            Agony of Christ in the Garden (Sorrow for Sin)

            Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar (Purity)

            Placing of the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus (Patience)

            Carrying the cross by Jesus (Bearing of Trials)

            Crucifixion of out Lord Jesus Christ (Forgiveness and Perseverance)

Glorious Mysteries ( prayed on Wednesday and Sunday)

            Resurrection of our Lord from the dead (Faith)

            Ascension of our Lord into heaven (Hope)

            Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on Pentecost (Love of God)

            Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven (Devotion to Mary)

            Coronation of the Virgin Mary (For eternal happiness)

Mysteries of Light ( prayed on Thursday)

             Baptism in the Jordan

             Self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana

             Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion

             Transfiguration

             Institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery

Prayers of the Rosary

The 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. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will 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 the 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 to the Father

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.

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 most in need of your mercy.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your 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! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer After the Rosary

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech you, that we who meditate upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Suggested Reading and Listening:

De Montfort, St. Louis Mary. The Secret of the Rosary. Montfort Publications. Bay Shore, N.Y. 11706. 

Hahn, Dr. Scott and Hahn, Kimberly.  The Venerable Beads: A Bible Study on the Rosary. (3 audiotapes). Available through St. Joseph Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 720, West Covina, CA  91793; Tel. 800-526-2151, Fax 626-858-9331 or visit their website at www.saintjoe.com.