_

YOUR
ROSARY
BOOKLET
Dear Friend, How to Use
Bishop James E. Walsh of Maryknoll found Your Rosary Booklet
tremendous support in the Rosary while a
prisoner of the Communists. When Bishop James E. Walsh was a
He couldn’t say Mass, couldn’t recite his prisoner of the Communists, the Rosary he
Breviary; but he had his ten fingers to count the prayed so often was truly a Rosary of
Hail Marys on. Some days he said 6 Rosaries; Faith. It served him as a refresher course
other days, 12 or even 18. in Christian doctrine. Let me quote him on
The Rosary was a never-failing lifeline all that:
through his twelve prison years. Although life “The mysteries provided a clear and
seemed rather wearisome at times, he was complete review of the great central
never unhappy or despondent. The Rosary truths of religion and the great crucial
ministered to his deep need to keep in touch events in the history of God’s dealings
with God. with His universe.”
Whenever he felt oppressed by any trouble, As you are surely aware, in recent years
the Rosary afforded him hope and consolation. many of these “great central truths” and
Instead of worrying about people, he offered “great crucial events” have been
his “Rosary ministry” for them. You may be sure questioned and disputed. It’s no longer
he didn’t accidentally stumble upon the Rosary shocking or even startling to hear a
devotion in prison. For many years previously Catholic say, “I just don’t know what to
he had said a 15-decade Rosary daily. believe anymore.”
Are you perhaps “stumbling” upon the That you may know what to believe,
Rosary for the first time as you read this this little Rosary of Faith booklet has been
booklet? Or have you been a friend of the prepared.
Rosary for years? In any case, Franciscan It is intended as a refresher course in
missionaries and our Franciscan Mission
Christian doctrine. Each meditation
Associates trust you will find the Rosary a rich
focuses on one major truth or event in
source of blessings from now on. May we ask
salvation history.
that you remember us sometimes in prayer?
Thank you and God bless you!
If you use this booklet often, these
mysteries of our faith will remain vividly
present to your heart and mind. Your

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desire to remain faithful will be strength- 1st Joyful Mystery:
ened, and doubts will vanish as does the THE ANNUNCIATION
darkness when daylight approaches.
There are 20 Rosary mysteries. The SUGGESTED READING: Luke 1: 26-38
joyful mysteries are said on Monday and
Saturday; the sorrowful mysteries on
Tuesday and Friday; the glorious myster-
ies on Wednesday and Sunday; the lumi-
nous mysteries on Thursday.

The Bead Prayers

The chart on page 25 shows which
prayers are to be said. The text of these MARY’S MESSAGE: In this mystery two
prayers is found on pages 26, 27, 28 great truths of faith are combined: the
and 29. Trinity and the Incarnation. It is the
Father’s Son who becomes man by the
power of the Holy Spirit. The Son took on
our humanity, and made us partakers of
his divinity. Mankind couldn’t reach up to
God; so God reached down, down to make
The essence of prayer fruitful the womb of a humble virgin.
lies not in being always PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, teach me
on your knees, to welcome the will of the Father, of the
but in conforming Son, and of the Holy Spirit in my daily life.
your will totally to God May I always remain the Lord’s loving
in all the events of life. servant, firm in faith and joyful in hope.
Amen.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal Now recite the decade.

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 2nd Joyful Mystery: 3rd Joyful Mystery:
THE VISITATION THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD
SUGGESTED READING: Luke 1: 39-57 SUGGESTED READING: Luke 2: 1-20

MARY’S MESSAGE: This mystery recalls MARY’S MESSAGE: Born of the Father
my three-month visit with Elizabeth and before time began, Jesus Christ was born
Zechariah. May it remind you that God’s as a child in a lowly stable. He is my Son.
Son didn’t just come earthward on a short I heard the straw crackle under his baby
visit. He is with His Church until the end back in the manger. I saw him shed his
of the world. His Spirit, who sanctified the first tears. I helped him to take his first
unborn John the Baptist, is also your unsteady steps. Now I reign with him in
Sanctifier. May you guard the rich deposit heavenly glory.
of faith with the help of the Divine Spirit PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, by God’s
who dwells in you. grace I am now passing through this
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray that human life. May it be a life of faith in your
I may hold fast to the word of life. In the Son who loved us and gave himself for our
hour of my death, may I be ushered into salvation, first in the manger of
the celestial mansions for an unending Bethlehem and afterwards on the cross of
eternity of bliss. Amen. Calvary. Amen.
Now recite the decade. Now recite the decade.

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 4th Joyful Mystery: 5th Joyful Mystery:
THE PRESENTATION THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE
SUGGESTED READING: Luke 2: 22-38 SUGGESTED READING: Luke 2: 41-52

MARY’S MESSAGE: Joseph and I MARY’S MESSAGE: For mysterious

journeyed to Jerusalem to present the reasons of his own, the boy Jesus
Child to his Father. Simeon, that great remained in the temple after the Passover
man of faith, held the Lord’s Anointed in celebrations. When God appeared on earth
his arms. Then he was willing to die, for he in a visible way, his words and actions
had seen the Lord’s salvation! For perhaps were sometimes puzzling, even bewilder-
an hour, the temple priests had Jesus in ing. Had Jesus explained his plan to us,
their midst. Then they let him go, in we need not have sought him in sorrow.
exchange for a pair of birds. Learn from Joseph and me to walk in faith
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, may I all the days of your earthly pilgrimage.
prize my faith too dearly to accept PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help me to
anything in exchange. May I be presented keep my eyes fixed on Jesus who inspires
to God with a purified soul, holding fast to and perfects our faith. May this faith
faith, firmly grounded and steadfast in it. sustain me in joy and in sorrow until I
Amen. finally find my Savior God in the heavenly
Now recite the decade. temple. Amen.
Now recite the decade.

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 1st Luminous Mystery: 2nd Luminous Mystery:
BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST CHRIST REVEALS HIMSELF AT CANA
SUGGESTED READING: Mt 3:17 SUGGESTED READING: John 2: 1-12

MARY’S MESSAGE: According to Jewish MARY’S MESSAGE: I was more than

law, Joseph and I presented Jesus as a pleased but somewhat stunned when
baby in the Temple; then came blessed Jesus, my son, performed his first miracle
Simeon’s confession that he had finally at the wedding we attended in Cana of
seen Jesus, the Light of the world. Much Galilee. For a while, I felt that he had
later, as a grown man, Jesus came to the ignored me and my plea to help the
river Jordan, there to be baptized by John, newlyweds. His miraculous changing of
his cousin. During his baptism, the Spirit water into wine brought light to a dark
of God descended, bathing the entire scene situation and eventually serenity to all
in light. From the heavens God said: “This the guests.
is my beloved Son.” Mt 3:17 PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, allow me
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help me to feel the joy you experienced when Jesus
follow your Son and always remain a performed his first miracle. May I hear
person of light and joy. May the light your words to the waiters: “Do whatever
presented to me at my baptism remain he tells you” (Jn 2:5) and be as swift as
bright for all of us on our pilgrim’s way to they in fulfilling all of Jesus’ commands
our heavenly home. Amen. and counsels. Amen.
Now recite the decade. Now recite the decade.
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 3rd Luminous Mystery: 4th Luminous Mystery:
PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM THE TRANSFIGURATION
AND CALL TO CONVERSION
SUGGESTED READING: Mark 1:15 SUGGESTED READING: Luke 9:35

MARY’S MESSAGE: My son, Jesus, MARY’S MESSAGE: Mount Tabor

proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of remained always in the apostles’ memory
God, calling everyone to conversion. He when the divine glory of Jesus was shown
announced the ministry of the light of the to them. I was pleased for them because
mercy of God, which he continues to every day for the previous thirty years I
exercise until the end of the world,
particularly through the Sacrament of was fortunate and blessed to be in his
Reconciliation, now entrusted to his light, enjoying the happiness of his
church. Jesus taught that the light of presence. His apostles, however, needed to
peace would overcome the darkness of see with their own eyes Jesus, trans-
hatred. figured in the grand light of the Godhead.
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help us be PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, help me
men and women of goodness. May we be keep my resolve always to listen to Jesus
generous flames of light to brighten our Christ and to put his words into daily
space of existence. May the light of the practice. May I always stay close to your
goodness of our lives gain its increase in
Son and be like him in doing good always
the radiance of the grand beacon of Light,
Who is Jesus Christ. Amen. and everywhere. Amen.
Now recite the decade. Now recite the decade.

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 5th Luminous Mystery: 1st Sorrowful Mystery:
INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN
SUGGESTED READING: John 13:1 SUGGESTED READING: Luke 22: 39-44

MARY’S MESSAGE: The Thursday MARY’S MESSAGE: The sorrowful

Passover meal when he instituted the Holy mysteries lasted only hours, but they
Eucharist, offering his body and blood as the remain etched in my memory forever. May
eternal food for all of us, reminded me of our it be the same for you whom Christ has
many family meals together in Nazareth.
redeemed at such great personal cost.
John told me how that Seder meal went,
what Jesus said and did the evening before Remember always his agony in the
his death. You could say that in a rather garden. Remember the sweat falling like
special way I was uniquely present at the drops of blood to the ground. Remember
Last Supper because it was from my body the immense love he bore you, centuries
that Jesus received his flesh and blood. before you were born. Be ready to confess
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, how your faith in him without hesitating.
fortunate I am to be able to receive the Body PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, may there
and Blood of your Son in daily Communion. be enkindled in my heart a fire of faith
Grateful for the Holy Eucharist as the and a love to match Christ’s love for me in
memorial of his suffering and death, we pray the garden of sorrows. Amen.
daily that we may experience the salvation
He won for us, now and forever. Amen. Now recite the decade.
Now recite the decade.
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 2nd Sorrowful Mystery: 3rd Sorrowful Mystery:
THE SCOURGING THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
SUGGESTED READING: Mark 15: 1-15 SUGGESTED READING: Mt. 27: 27-31

MARY’S MESSAGE: The Lamb of God MARY’S MESSAGE: My Son Jesus had to
endured the most cruel of scourgings. It be crowned with thorns before being
was the agony of the flesh after the agony crowned with honor. His Amen of
of the spirit. Pilate’s underlings were not acceptance before Pilate had to precede
limited to 40 lashes, as were Jewish his Alleluia of joyous triumph in heaven’s
soldiers. Rest assured that Jesus didn’t halls of glory. Look upon my Son, that you
keep count. He kept no record of what he may not lose heart when you suffer.
endured for sinners. Remain faithful to what you have learned
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray for and believed because you know that faith
me that I may always be found faithful in Jesus leads to salvation and life
and generous. May the blood of the everlasting.
spotless Lamb cleanse me and make me PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray for
worthy to stand before him holy, free of all me that I may keep the faith as I finish
reproach and blame. Amen. the race. May the Lord God grant me, on
Now recite the decade. the day of rewards, a crown of glory in the
eternal dwellings. Amen.
Now recite the decade.

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 4th Sorrowful Mystery: 5th Sorrowful Mystery:
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS THE CRUCIFIXION
SUGGESTED READING: Mark 15: 20-25 SUGGESTED READING: Mark 15: 27-41

MARY’S MESSAGE: No apostle, disciple, MARY’S MESSAGE: Look upon the

or friend stepped forward to help Jesus on pierced feet of the Saving Victim on your
the rugged road to the crucifixion. Simon crucifix. Those are the feet of a kindly
of Cyrene did so, under compulsion. The shepherd running tirelessly after lost
absence of his chosen ones must have sheep; the feet of a bearer of glad tidings of
grieved Jesus; yet he uttered no reproach. salvation; the feet that alighted on earthly
There is no reproach on his lips now as he soil and made it holy ground. The blessed
sees some former followers turning away. feet of the Redeemer follow the sinner
They find the cross of fidelity too heavy. down the nights, down the days, down the
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, turn your arches of the years, as the poet wrote.
merciful eyes upon all who have lost their PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray that
faith or are in danger of losing it. Mother I may have strong feet and a loving heart
of Faith, lead them back to him who is the to follow my Lord. May I cling faithfully to
Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen. him in life and in death. Amen.
Now recite the decade. Now recite the decade.

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 1st Glorious Mystery: 2nd Glorious Mystery:
THE RESURRECTION THE ASCENSION
SUGGESTED READING: Mt. 28: 1-15 SUGGESTED READING: Acts 1: 1-14

MARY’S MESSAGE: It was a greater MARY’S MESSAGE: Two angels told the
miracle to emerge from a grave on Sunday sky-gazing Galileans, “This Jesus who has
morning than to come down from a cross been taken from you will return, just as
on Friday afternoon. Jesus is the Risen you saw him go up into the heavens.” In
Lord, Firstborn of the dead; and your that one sentence you find three major
resurrection will be patterned upon his truths: There is a heaven; Jesus ascended
own. Take him at his word, cleave to him, to heaven; Jesus will come again. “When
for he will do for you according to his the Son of Man comes, will he find any
magnificent promises. faith on the earth?” (Luke 18: 8) May he
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, join me in always find in your heart and soul that
magnifying the Lord and in rejoicing in vibrant faith he praised so often during
God our Savior. He is the Resurrection and his public ministry.
the Life, the God who pledges to summon PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, continue
his sons and daughters forth from dust to to intercede for me that I may never be
splendor. Amen. found lacking in faith, hope, and love.
Now recite the decade. Amen.
Now recite the decade.

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 3rd Glorious Mystery: 4th Glorious Mystery:
THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
SUGGESTED READING: Acts 2: 1-41 SUGGESTED READING: Judith 13: 17-20

MARY’S MESSAGE: The Holy Spirit MARY’S MESSAGE: The Father, who
formed Christ within me. He wants to associated me with Jesus in the mystery of
form Christ in you. That is why you have redemption, chose also to associate me
been reborn of water and the Holy Spirit. with Jesus in the mystery of glorification.
That is why you have had your personal Our Catholic faith proclaims that I was
Pentecost, like the apostles and early raised body and soul into heavenly glory
christians. Let the strengthening Spirit do when my earthly years were ended. I
his work in you. Believe me, it will be have been likened to my Risen Son in
made beautiful and glorious for God your anticipation of the lot that awaits all the
Father! just. This is your faith. Cherish it.
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, pray for PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, continue
me that I may allow the Divine Spirit free to cooperate in the birth and growth of
rein in my life. May I follow his guidance, divine life in our souls. Help us until we
heed his inspirations, and allow him to reach our heavenly homeland, there to
mold me into the image of your Son Jesus. rejoice with Jesus and you forever. Amen.
Amen. Now recite the decade.
Now recite the decade.

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 5th Glorious Mystery: The Bead Prayers A Visualization
THE CORONATION OF OUR LADY
SUGGESTED READING: I Pet. 1: 3-9

Continue each decade:

Announce the Mystery

(reflect on it)
Pray the Our Father
Recite 10 Hail Marys Our Father
Announce
Recite the Glory Be ➞ the mystery
Glory be
MARY’S MESSAGE: The Son and his
Mother have entered into an eternal
inheritance. The same inheritance awaits
all those who possess eternal life because ➞ Hail Mary
(on each
they believe in the name of Jesus Christ. bead)
By accepting him as God’s Son through Hail Holy Queen
➞ ➞ Our Father
faith, you receive Christ Himself who Rosary Prayer
➞ Announce the mystery
becomes in you the source of eternal life. ➞ Glory be
Continue in faith, in hope, in love, that no
one may rob you of your prize. ➞ Hail Mary
(on each bead)
PRAYER: Dear Blessed Mother, may your
Holy Rosary deepen my faith, strengthen ➞ Our Father
my hope, increase my love until I behold
you face to face in the kingdom where you
reign as Queen beside the immortal King Apostles’ Creed
▲
of Ages. Amen. ▲ Make the Sign
of the Cross
Now recite the decade.

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 The 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.
The Apostles’ Creed Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
I believe in God, the Father almighty, as we forgive those who trespass against us;
creator of heaven and earth. and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the
Holy Spirit The Hail Mary
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, Hail Mary,
was crucified, died, and was buried. full of grace,
He descended to the dead. the Lord is with you.
On the third day he rose again.
Blessed are you among women
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the and blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Father. Jesus.
He will come again to judge the living and Holy Mary,
the dead. Mother of God,
I believe in the Holy Spirit, pray for us sinners,
the holy catholic Church, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

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 The Glory… Prayer

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His
the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is life, death and resurrection, has
now, and will be for ever. Amen. purchased for us the rewards of eternal
life; grant, we beseech Thee, that
Fatima Prayer meditating upon these mysteries of the
most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin
(to be said after the Glory… after each decade)
Mary, we may learn to imitate what they
O, my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us contain and obtain what they promise,
from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heaven, especially those in most need of
Thy Mercy.
The Memorare
Hail Holy Queen
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Hail
that never was it known that anyone who
our Life, our Sweetness, and our Hope. To
thee do we cry, poor banished children of fled to your protection, implored your help,
Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, or sought your intercession was left unaid-
mourning and weeping in this vale of ed. Inspired with this confidence, I fly
tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after To you I come, before you I stand, sinful
this our exile show unto us the blessed and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word
fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in
loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God;

R. That we may be made worthy of the

promises of Christ.

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 The Popes on the Rosary

With the Rosary, the Christian people sits

at the school of Mary and is led to
contemplate the beauty on the face of
Christ and to experience the depths of
his love.
–Saint John Paul II
Blessing of St. Francis
The Rosary …is a form of union with God
and has a most uplifting effect on the soul.
The Lord bless you and
–Saint John XXIII
keep you
May He show His face
Place your confidence in the Holy Rosary.
to you and have Use this most powerful form of prayer
mercy on you with the utmost possible zeal, and let it
May He turn His become more and more esteemed.
countenance to you and –Pius XII
give you peace.
The Lord bless you! The Rosary …is also a powerful incentive
and encouragement to the practice of
Numbers 6:24-26 Christian virtues, and these it develops
and cultivates in our soul. Above all,
it preserves and nourishes our Catholic
faith.
–Pius XI

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 WE HAVE A DREAM
In a poignant description of the plight of
Latin American peoples, a writer has
stated that they are “betrayed for profit,
condemned by indifference, scourged by
ideologies.” Daily they “drag their crosses
up a million calvaries, there to die with
thirst unquenched and hunger gnawing.”
Jesus Christ is continuing the sorrowful
mysteries of His Passion in them.
That is why your Franciscan mission-
aries have a dream, a beautiful dream: We
want those peoples to experience
something of life’s joyful and glorious
mysteries. We want to share spiritual and
material blessings with them; to secure for
them the spiritual and temporal rights to
which their human dignity entitles them.
Please continue your spiritual and
material support for which we are deeply
grateful.
“Happy are those who dream dreams
and are able to make them come true.”
With God’s help and yours, our dream shall
come true!

Franciscan Mission Associates

P.O. Box 598, Mount Vernon, New York 10551-0598
www.franciscanmissionassoc.org

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