THE BEGINNING

Rosary Vers. ER2

Beginning3 The Rosary consists of a number of prayers, said in a specific order.
It is divided into 4 sets of Mysteries, each containing 5 decades (a Lord's Prayer, followed by 10 Hail Marys. the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer). At the end of these prayers, the Final prayers are said.
It is usual these days, to consider the praying of one set of Mysteries, (that is 5 decades (10 Hail Marys comprises a "decade") ) as "The Rosary", though to be exact, the full Rosary consists of 20 decades, (that is the 4 sets of Mysteries.)

Pope John XXIII prayed the (then) full 15 decades every day, as busy as he was. Our present Pope, John Paul II, did likewise, and now I presume, since he added the 5 decades of the 'Luminous Mysteries' in October 2002, he would be praying the 20 decades per day.

********************************************************************************************
We start by making the sign of the Cross, (holding the Crucifix of our Rosary Beads in our right hand) and saying,
 "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen"

Then the Prayer before the Rosary - "My Blessed Mother, you have told us that the proper way to pray the Rosary is to meditate on its various Mysteries.
Please keep my mind free from distractions during this Rosary, and help me to better come to know you and your Divine Son, through my properly meditating on each of the Mysteries contained in the Rosary.
By my concentration on these prayers, may I help to relieve the tears you have shed in many parts of the world."

My intentions for this Rosary are for ......

(Here you may mention your own private intentions- they may be of thanksgiving, or petition - Jesus says "ask and you shall receive etc." so it is quite a legitimate intention to be praying for something you need.

Then we pray THE APOSTLES CREED (Prayed with the Crucifix in your hand)
"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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there He shall 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 life everlasting . Amen."



To continue Please click now on "Introductory prayers" to start.

OR ALTERNATIVELY RETURN TO ROSARY MENU