The Rosary: Part 2
Last week we looked at the history and purpose of the Rosary. This week, we’ll look at how Catholics use it to pray.
In his book, Let’s Pray (Not Just Say) the Rosary, Richard Rooney, SJ writes: “The traditional rosary consists of a cross, five beads (two large and three small), a medal, and five ‘decades’ (groups containing ten beads each). Each decade is separated from the others by a single bead; these are usually larger or more decorative than others.” (Rooney, Richard. Let’s Pray (Not Just Say) the Rosary. Kindle, Liguori Publications, 2007.)
Praying the Rosary follows a pattern of basic steps. (Definitions of words in bold will follow.)
- Holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross
- Recite the Apostles’ Creed
- Follow the first set of five beads in this order: Recite the Lord’s Prayer; Recite three Hail Marys; Recite the Glory Be
- Before moving onto the first/next decade, meditate on the Daily Mystery
- Recite a Hail Mary for each of the next ten beads
- Recite a Glory Be
- Recite The Lord’s Prayer. (Steps 6 & 7 are both recited on the last bead of each decade)
At this point, the Introduction and First Decade of the Rosary are complete. Steps 4-7 are repeated four more times, completing the sequence of beads, ending with a final Lord’s Prayer. This brings the participant back to the medal where some choose to recite the Glory Be to conclude the ritual.
These Basic Steps involve a number of terms unfamiliar to many Protestants. Let’s look at them in the order they are listed:
Crucifix– literally means “one fixated to a cross;” an image or icon of Jesus crucified on the cross
Sign of the Cross– ritual, sacramental hand motion combined with words; Touch fingers or crucifix to forehead and say, “In the name of the Father…”; Touch fingers or crucifix to chest and say, “..and the Son…”; Touch left then right shoulder and say, “…and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Apostles’ Creed– the oldest Christian statement of faith; slightly different versions are used in both Catholic and Protestant tradition
Lord’s Prayer – The prayer Jesus taught His disciples as recorded in Luke 11:2-4; again, this is used in both Catholic and Protestant practices
Hail Mary– Traditional Catholic Prayer of devotion to Mary; built from the words spoken in Luke 1:28 and 1:42
Glory Be– Common term from what is also known as the “Doxology,” the name being taken from the Latin doxologia (referring to an expression of highest praise); “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.”
Mystery– Highlight of specific aspect and virtue from the lives of Jesus and Mary
The fifteen Mysteries are meant to be used as a daily reminder of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection by deliberate meditation on a portion of Scripture. The intended purpose of this practice is to examine Biblical truth and thoughtfully enter the scene while moving along the beads, looking for Jesus, asking questions, and seeking the answers in Scripture.
There are four categories of Mysteries prayed during the week. Each Mystery includes 5 portions of Scripture to match the 5 decades of The Rosary.
I. Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)
A. Annunciation (Gabriel’s announcement to Mary as recorded in Luke 1:25-38)
B. Visitation (of Mary to Elizabeth as recorded in Luke 1:39-56)
C. Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-21; Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-11)
D. Presentation at the Temple (Luke 2:22-38)
E. Jesus in the Temple at age 12 (Luke 2:41-52)
II. Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)
A. Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 2:39-47; John 18:1)
B. Jesus scourged the night of His arrest (Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-19; John 19:1-3)
C. Crown of Thorns (Matthew 27:29-30; Mark 15:17-19; John 19:2-3)
D. Jesus’ journey of the cross (Matthew 27:26-32; Mark 15:15-21; Luke 23:25-32; John 19:16-17)
E. Jesus’ crucifixion and death (Matthew 27:33-54; Mark 15:15-47; Luke 23:23-49; John 19:18-37)
III. Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)
A. Jesus’ Resurrection (Matthew 27:52-28:4; Mark 16; Luke 24, John 20)
B. Jesus’ Ascension (Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24: 44-53; Acts 1:4-12)
C. The Holy Spirit at Pentecost. (Acts 2)
D. Mary’s Death (detailed according to Catholic tradition stemming from Revelation 12)
E. Mary crowned in Heaven (detailed according to Catholic tradition stemming from Revelation 12)
IV. Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
A. Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23)
B. Wedding at Cana (John 2:2-11)
C. Beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 4:12-25; Mark 1; Luke 4; John 2)
D. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36)
E. The Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
Looking through a Protestant lens, there are aspects of the Rosary held in common. Other than the parts concerning Mary, many Protestants contemplatively pray in a similar way (minus the beads) using the same Scriptures…especially during the Advent (Christmas) and Lenten (Easter) Seasons. Learning about the Catholic tradition of the Rosary can be a good reminder to continue to focus on the entirety of Jesus’ life all year long.
(Before moving on to another topic, we will spend one more week looking at the Rosary. If you would like to submit a question regarding this topic, please send a brief message to: anchoredtograce@yahoo.com)