WHAT IS THE ROSARY?

The Rosary is both a mental and a vocal

prayer. It is a mental prayer because
through the Rosary, we recall fifteen
mysteries and virtues in the life, death
and glory of Jesus and Mary. It is a vocal
prayer because we recite one Our Father,
ten Hail Marys, one Glory Be to the Father
and one Fatima decade prayer for every
mystery we recall.

HOW AND WHERE DID THE PRACTICE OF

PRAYING THE ROSARY BEGIN? (A BRIEF
HISTORY)
There are two popular beliefs on how the
devotion to the rosary began. The first
one dates back to the early 12th century. It
was believed that monks used to read
and recite 150 psalms from the Book of
Psalms in the Bible every day. They
divided these psalms into three sets of
50. But a lot of people didnt know how to
read at that time, so reading the psalms
became a problem to many. People began

to look for another way to pray. At first,

the prayer they used was the Our Father.
The 150 psalms were replaced by 150
Our Fathers. Then, during the middle of
the century, the 150 Our Fathers were
again replaced. This time, the 150 Our
Fathers became 150 Hail Marys. In the
following centuries, more changes were
made, until the rosary that is prayed
nowadays became the most widely used.
The other popular story about how the
devotion to the rosary began also
happened a long time ago in France in a
town called Toulouse, there lived priest
named Dominic. He was so sad because
he could not make the Albigensian people
believe in God. In an effort to lessen
Gods anger at the peoples grave sins,
Dominic spent three days and three
nights in the forest where he prayed
continuously, weeping and hurting his
own body in penanceuntil he lost
consciousness.
It was then that Mama Mary appeared to
him, accompanied by three angels, and

told him that the best way to convert the

people is by preaching to them the
devotion to the Holy Rosary. Dominic took
comfort in Mama Marys advice and
immediately got up and went to the
Cathedral. Upon his arrival, unseen
angels rang the bells to call on the
people. When a crowd had gathered,
Dominic began to preach. As he was
starting his sermon, a storm suddenly
broke out. Thunder and lightning struck
the earth shook and the sun darkened.
The people were so frightened. But they
saw something that made them even
more afraid. A picture of Mary in the
church moved! They saw her raise her
arms to heaven three times, bringing
down Gods anger upon the people if they
refused to be converted and lead good
lives under her protection. Seeing the
peoples fear, Dominic started to pray
and the storm stopped.
He began to talk to the people, and they
listened. He preached the devotion to the
Holy Rosary so well and with so much
faith that day that almost all the people

of his town were converted and began

believing in God. Slowly, they turned their
backs on their bad habits, and began
practicing the devotion to the Holy
Rosary.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO PRAY THE ROSARY?

Praying the Rosary helps us live as true
children of God. Its mysteries reflect the
virtues of Jesus and Mary that we may
imitate to enable us to do good ad not
give in to temptations. Praying the rosary
strengthens our faith. It is a chain of love
that will help us save ourselves as well as
other people. By praying it, we show our
great love for Jesus and Mary, and in turn,
through Marys intercession, we are
showered with spiritual gifts like peace,
joy, hope, wisdom, patience and
understanding from the Holy Spirit as we
live each day in Gods loving kindness.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ROSARY?

The word rosary comes from the Latin

word rosarium, which means a garden of
roses. Every time we pray the rosary
with love and devotion, we offer 150
heavenly roses to Jesus and Mary.

APOSTLES CREED

We begin the Rosary by making the sign

of the Cross and reciting the Apostles
Creed. This is followed by praying one Our
Father, three Hail Marys and one Glory be
to the Father before the fifteen mysteries
are recalled. Then, for each mystery, we
say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, one
Glory be to the Father and one Fatima
Decade prayer. The praying of the Hail
Holy Queen and the Ending prayers are
next. The Rosary is then ended by making
another sign of the Cross.

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 again 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.

SIGN OF THE CROSS

OUR FATHER

In the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

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

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

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.

Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us

from the fires of hell, and lead all souls
into heaven especially those who need
most of your divine mercy.

HAIL HOLY QUEEN

HAIL MARY
HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with
you. Blessed are you among women and
blessed is the fruit of your 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 DECADE

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail

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, O most gracious
advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us
and after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O
clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

ENDING PRAYERS
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O God, whose only begotten Son, by his
life, death and resurrection, has
purchased for us the rewards of eternal
salvation; grant, we beseech you, that
meditating upon 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!

JOYFUL MYSTERIES

The Birth of Jesus Christ

The Annunciation

When Jesus was born, he was visited by

shepherds and three wise men who
brought him gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh. Upon his birth, hundreds of
angels sing in praise and joy: Glory to
God in the highest and peace to His
people on earth!

One day, the Angel Gabriel appeared to

Mary and told her that she has been
chosen by God to be the Mother of His
Son through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mary said yes because she loved and
trusted God and she wanted to make God
happy by obeying His wishes.

The Visitation
While Mary was carrying the baby Jesus in
her womb, her cousin Elizabeth was also
having a baby. But Elizabeth was much
older than Mary and had a hard time
moving around and doing housework.
Mary decided to visit and help Elizabeth
in her time of need, even though she
herself was heavy with child. Her
unselfish act made Elizabeth very grateful
and happy.

The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the

Temple
In keeping with Jewish customs, Joseph
and Mary brought the bay Jesus to the
temple to be blessed. A man named
Simeon met them and asked to see the
baby. He was filled with joy when he took
Jesus in his arms. He knew that Gods
promise to save the world finally came
true.

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the

Temple

When Jesus was 12 years old, Joseph and

Mary lost him. After visiting one of the
temples, the couple went home, not
knowing that Jesus stayed behind. They
searched all over. On the third day, they
found Him speaking to the elders and
teachers in the temple. Both parents were
so happy to see Jesus again.

The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar

After Jesus was arrested, those who did
not believe in His teachings punished
Jesus by whipping and lashing His body.
Jesus bled with countless wound and was
in great pain. Yet, Jesus never complained
nor said one bad word to them. He took
the lashing quietly, with faith and
humility.

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

The Agony of Jesus in the Garden

The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns

When Jesus started to preach Gods Word,

many people became His followers. The
Jewish priests got jealous and ordered His
arrest. Feeling lonely and scared, Jesus
went to a garden called Gethsemane and
prayed the whole night. He felt as though
God had abandoned Him. But Jesus knew
He had to suffer and die to save the
world. So like a Good Son, Jesus
submitted to His Fathers will.

People also made fun of Jesus by putting

a crown of thorns on His head, which
caused it to bleed. They accused Him of
daring to call Himself King of the Jews.
Still, Jesus remained silent.

The Carrying of the Cross to Calvary

Jesus was given a big, heavy cross and
was ordered to carry it up to a mountain
called Calvary. He suffered a lot because
He was not given any food and water on

His way up, and was aching with so much

pain from the wounds on His body.

death, Jesus rose from the grave and

appeared to His disciples.

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus on the

Cross

The Ascension of Jesus Into Heaven

Upon reaching Calvary, the guards nailed

Jesus to the cross. They placed it between
two criminals who were also sentenced to
die. Jesus suffered through hours of pain,
without any food or drink. But He never
showed anger or hatred. He even said to
God, Father, forgive them for they know
not what they do.

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

After His resurrection, Jesus spent time

with the disciples to prepare them for
their mission of preaching Gods Word.
The disciples were sad because they
knew Jesus was leaving them again. He
comforted them by promising to send the
Holy Spirit to guide them in their mission.
Then, Jesus led the disciples outside the
city where He blessed them. After this,
Jesus slowly ascended into heaven where
He was welcomed by the Father with
great joy.

The Resurrection of Jesus

After Jesus died, those who loved Him
were filled with sadness. But Mary and His
disciples never lost hope because they
believed that Jesus would return. And He
did return! On the third day after His

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

One day, while Mary and the disciples
were praying, a loud gust of wind blew
inside, and tiny balls of fire settled on top
of each of their heads. It was the Holy

Spirit, coming as Jesus had promised to

give them spiritual gifts like courage,
wisdom, and patience to guide them in
their mission of spreading the Word of
God.

The Assumption of Mary Into Heaven

When Mary died, Jesus brought her body
and soul to heaven, because he did not
want His Mothers body to rot and decay
like other human beings. Such was love of
Jesus for his Blessed mother.

The Coronation of Mary as Queen of

Heaven and Earth
After Marys body and soul were brought
to heaven, God honored her role in His
promise of salvation by crowning her as
the Queen of heaven and earth. This
makes Mama Mary the special mediator
between God and man. Through her, we
ask for Gods help and blessings, and
through her we receive Gods blessings.