Changes

== History ==

== History ==

<ref>The main source of information for this History section on the history of the development of the Rosary is ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' - The Rosary (newadvent.org), ''Britannica Encyclopedia'' - Rosary: Religion, and ''The Scriptural Rosary: A Modern Version of the Way the Rosary was Once Prayed Throughout Western Europe in the Late Middle Ages''. Copyright 1961 Christianica Center, Copyright renewed 1989 Christianica Center, Christianica (America) 1807 Prairie Street, P.O. Box 685, Glenview, IL 60025, "Historic Background of the Scriptural Rosary" pp.9-15.</ref>

<ref>The main source of information for this History section on the history of the development of the Rosary is ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' - The Rosary (newadvent.org), ''Britannica Encyclopedia'' - Rosary: Religion, and ''The Scriptural Rosary: A Modern Version of the Way the Rosary was Once Prayed Throughout Western Europe in the Late Middle Ages''. Copyright 1961 Christianica Center, Copyright renewed 1989 Christianica Center, Christianica (America) 1807 Prairie Street, P.O. Box 685, Glenview, IL 60025, "Historic Background of the Scriptural Rosary" pp.9-15.</ref>

By tradition, the [[Catholic]] laity living near monasteries of [[monk]]s and  [[convent|cloistered convents]] of [[nun]]s, seeking to imitate the monastic practice of daily praying the 150 [[Psalms]] [[Prophecy|prophesying]] the [[Incarnation]] of Christ, and his life, passion, death, resurrection and glory for our [[salvation]], and the sufferings and joys of his mother with him from the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Annunciation]] to the [[Resurrection]] and [[the Ascension]], found the practice difficult to perform in the midst of the demands of their daily duties and chores, and this was especially so for those who [[Illiteracy|could not read]] and found memorizing the entire book of the Psalms, the ''Psalter'', almost impossible. To assist their desire to join with the monks and nuns and priests in daily praise of God with the prayers of the Psalter, their pastors, the priests and bishops, recommended a simple substitute—praying [[the Lord's Prayer]] 150 times, paying close attention to the meaning of the words, because it is the prayer that Jesus himself taught his apostles to pray. Most historians trace the origin of this initial form of the Rosary back to the so-called [[Middle Ages|Dark Ages]] of 9th century Ireland, about the year [[Anno Domini|A.D.]] 800, when [[Charlemagne]] was made [[Holy Roman Emperor]].

Most historians trace the origin of this initial form of the Rosary back to the so-called [[Middle Ages|Dark Ages]] of 9th century Ireland, about the year [[Anno Domini|A.D.]] 800, when [[Charlemagne]] was made [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. By tradition, the [[Catholic]] laity living near monasteries of [[monk]]s and  [[convent|cloistered convents]] of [[nun]]s, sought to imitate the monastic practice of daily praying the 150 [[Psalms]], Which were believed to [[Prophecy|prophesy]] the [[Incarnation]] of Christ, and his life, passion, death, resurrection and glory for our [[salvation]], and the sufferings and joys of his mother with him from the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Annunciation]] to the [[Resurrection]] and [[the Ascension]]. However, they found the practice difficult to perform in the midst of the demands of their daily duties and chores, and this was especially so for those who [[Illiteracy|could not read]] and found memorizing the entire book of the Psalms, the ''Psalter'', almost impossible. To assist their desire to join in with the monks and nuns and priests in their daily praise of God with the prayers of the Psalter, the bishops and priests, their pastors, and the monks, recommended a simple substitute—praying [[the Lord's Prayer]] 150 times, because it is the prayer that Jesus himself taught his apostles to pray, and paying close attention to the meaning of the words.  

People at first carried in a small leather pouch or in their pocket 150 pebbles. With each devoutly prayed "[[The Lord's Prayer|Our Father]]" they would take one pebble out, or put one in. However, pebbles can be dropped and lost, so they adopted the use of a thin rope with 150 knots, moving from knot to knot and praying the "Our Father" on each knot until the end. Eventually they found that a string with 150 wooden beads was an easier tool, or implement, to use. This is [[Analogy|analogous]] to singing or playing a long piece of [[sacred]] [[music]] or a [[hymn]] with 150 verses out of love of God, just as many churches in worship sing favorite old hymns of prayer and praise again and again, and people at home might recite favorite old poems of faith and devotion again and again.

People at first carried 150 pebbles in a small leather pouch or in their pocket. With each devoutly prayed "[[The Lord's Prayer|Our Father]]" they would take one pebble out, or put one in. However, pebbles can be dropped and lost, so they adopted the use of a thin rope with 150 knots, moving from knot to knot and praying the "Our Father" on each knot until the end. Eventually they found that a string with 150 wooden beads was an easier tool, or implement, to use. This is [[Analogy|analogous]] to singing or playing a long piece of [[sacred]] [[music]] or a [[hymn]] with 150 verses out of love of God. Many churches in worship sing favorite old hymns of prayer and praise again and again, and people at home might recite favorite old poems of faith and devotion again and again.

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the "Our Father", others began using the "Angelic Salutation" (Luke 1:28), first mentioned as a devotion in Europe by St. Peter Damian, who died in 1072. This initial form of an abbreviated substitute for the hymn-prayers of the Psalter was recommended as a devout remembrance of the wondrous, incomprehensible [[miracle]] of the [[Incarnation]] of God the Son when the angel [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] came to Mary in [[Nazareth]] and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Because Gabriel addressed Mary directly, her name was added to his salutation and said after the initial "Hail"<ref>See [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hail "hail" definition (dictionary.com)]</ref>. Saying this simple "Angelic Salutation" 150 times for the 150 Psalms of prophesy, with a devout intention of honoring the Incarnation and the mother of Jesus, was deemed to be sufficient, because of its profound spiritual meaning within the whole of the mystery of salvation, and because it was uttered by an angel from heaven sent by God, Gabriel himself, the same angel who had appeared to the prophet Daniel. The simplest and most ignorant peasant could thus offer up his and her prayer of the heart in union with the official daily prayer of the whole Church to God, using words brought from heaven itself, remembering that the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The mouth uttered praise, and the mind was directed to the mystery of the Incarnation and the wonder of our salvation. It is also much shorter than the Our Father, and thus took less time. Many people prayed the "Angelic Salutation" with devotion, while others, equally devout, preferred the "Our Father".

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the 150 "Our Father"s, others began using the "Angelic Salutation" (Luke 1:28). This was first mentioned as a devotion in Europe by St. Peter Damian, who died in 1072. This initial form of an abbreviated substitute for the chanted prayers of the Psalter was recommended as a devout remembrance of the wondrous, incomprehensible [[miracle]] of the [[Incarnation]] of God the Son when the angel [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] came to Mary in [[Nazareth]] and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Because Gabriel addressed Mary directly, her name was added to his salutation and said after the initial "Hail"<ref>See [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hail "hail" definition (dictionary.com)]</ref>. Saying this simple "Angelic Salutation" 150 times for the 150 Psalms of prophesy, with a devout intention of honoring the Incarnation and the mother of Jesus, was deemed to be sufficient, because of its profound spiritual meaning within the whole of the mystery of salvation, and because it was uttered by an angel from heaven sent by God, Gabriel himself. He was the same angel who had appeared to the prophet Daniel. The simplest and most ignorant peasant could thus offer up his or her prayer of the heart in union with the official daily prayer of the whole Church to God, using words brought from heaven itself, remembering that the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The mouth uttered praise, and the mind was directed to the mystery of the Incarnation and the wonder of our salvation. It is also much shorter than the Our Father, and thus took less time. Many people prayed the "Angelic Salutation" with devotion, while others, equally devout, preferred the "Our Father".

Some [[medieval]] [[theologian]]s of the 13th century, by deep [[meditation]] and [[Hermeneutics|skillful interpretation]] of the 150 Psalms as veiled, or [[Allegory|allegorical]], prophesies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, began to compose 150 ''praises of Jesus'' based on interpretations of the 150 Psalms as "Psalters of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". Soon, to honor his mother also, 150 praises of Mary were also composed as "Psalters of Our Lady [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary Mother of Our Lord]]". A Psalter of 50 Marian praises was commonly called a bouquet of spiritual fragrance offered from the heart like a bouquet of roses, in [[Latin]] a "''rosarium''". Many mothers receive bouquets of flowers on [[Mother's Day]], and songs are sung in honor of them, in fulfillment of the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12). Defenders of devotion to Mary point out that sons are pleased when their mothers are honored, and that when a woman in the crowd blessed his mother, Jesus the Son of Mary agreed, but he also said, "Yes! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28), and they also point out that Elizabeth, [[Inspiration|inspired]] by the [[Holy Spirit]] Himself, also said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord!" (Luke 1:45). Mary herself testified, "Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed!" (Luke 1:48). Jesus also said, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, '''and mother'''" (Matthew 12:50). And to the rich young ruler who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus included the commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Matthew 19:19). They conclude that to honor Mary the mother of Jesus is to honor and please Jesus himself, God the Son, who chose Mary and honored her above all others by making her his own mother and becoming incarnate in her womb and being obedient to her (Luke 2:51). Because she heard the word of God and kept it, and therefore she certainly did the will of God, they reason that, according to the Bible, by Jesus' own testimony, she is therefore most truly his mother.  

Some [[medieval]] [[theologian]]s of the 13th century, by deep [[meditation]] and [[Hermeneutics|skillful interpretation]] of the 150 Psalms saw in them veiled, or [[Allegory|allegorical]], prophesies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They began to compose 150 ''praises of Jesus'' based on interpretations of the 150 Psalms, and offering them as "Psalters of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". Soon, to honor his mother also, 150 praises of Mary were also composed as "Psalters of Our Lady [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary Mother of Our Lord]]". A shorter Psalter of 50 Marian praises was commonly called a bouquet of spiritual fragrance, offered from the heart like a bouquet of roses, in [[Latin]] a "''rosarium''". Many mothers receive bouquets of flowers on [[Mother's Day]], and songs are sung in honor of them, in fulfillment of the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12). Defenders of devotion to Mary point out that sons are pleased when their mothers are honored, and that when a woman in the crowd blessed his mother, Jesus the Son of Mary agreed, but he also said, "Yes! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28), and they point out that Elizabeth, [[Inspiration|inspired]] by the [[Holy Spirit]] Himself, also said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord!" (Luke 1:45). Mary herself testified, "Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed!" (Luke 1:48). Jesus also said, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, '''and mother'''" (Matthew 12:50). And to the one who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus included the commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Matthew 19:19). They conclude that to honor Mary the mother of Jesus is to honor and please Jesus himself, God the Son, who chose Mary and honored her above all others, by making her his own mother and becoming incarnate in her womb, and being obedient to her (Luke 2:51). Because she heard the word of God and kept it, and therefore she certainly did the will of God, they reason that, according to the Bible, by Jesus' own testimony, she is therefore most truly his mother, not only by nature, but by her doing the will of his Father in heaven.  

During the same 13th century, then, five Psalters were being used to honor and praise God:

During the same 13th century, then, five Psalters were being used to honor and praise God:

:*The 150 Praises of Jesus

:*The 150 Praises of Jesus

:*The 150 Praises of Mary

:*The 150 Praises of Mary

The first historical evidence of the rosary is from [[Saint Dominic]] (A.D. 1221), who founded Order of Preachers or Dominicans.<ref>[http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/rosary_history.htm Rosary - History. Colin B. Donovan (ewtn.com)]</ref>  

The first historical evidence of the rosary is from [[Saint Dominic]] (A.D. 1221), who founded the Order of Preachers or Dominicans.<ref>[http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/rosary_history.htm Rosary - History. Colin B. Donovan (ewtn.com)]</ref>  

Then about 1375, Henry of Kalkar, the ''Visitator'' of the [[Carthusians|Carthusian Order]], divided the 150 Angelic Salutations into fifteen groups of ten, fifteen ''decades'', each decade beginning with an Our Father first, to certainly orient the prayers primarily to God.

Then about 1375, Henry of Kalkar, the ''Visitator'' of the [[Carthusians|Carthusian Order]], divided the 150 Angelic Salutations into fifteen groups of ten, fifteen ''decades'', beginning each decade with an Our Father first, to orient the prayers more certainly to God.

In the 15th century, about 1409, Dominic the Prussian (another Carthusian), wrote a book attaching a "Psalter" of fifty reflective thoughts relating the lives of Jesus and his mother Mary to a devotional ''rosarium'' of 50 Angelic Salutations, a thought for each one of the fifty. Eventually this Psalter was divided into decades, ten thoughts with ten Angelic Salutations, each decade introduced by an Our Father first. Because the form was not firmly fixed, very gradually various forms of this meditative prayer-devotion were composed and proposed from about 1425 through 1470. It was roughly during this period that the greeting of Elizabeth was included, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb", and her testimony under the influence of the Holy Spirit that Mary is the mother of God, "Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Greek Κύριος ''Kyrios'' "Lord" = God).

In the 15th century, about 1409, Dominic the Prussian (another Carthusian), wrote a book attaching a "Psalter" of fifty reflective thoughts, relating the lives of Jesus and his mother Mary to a devotional ''rosarium'' of 50 Angelic Salutations, a thought for each one of the fifty. Eventually this Psalter was also divided into decades. Each decade was introduced by an Our Father, each decade having ten thoughts with ten Angelic Salutations. Because the form was not firmly fixed, very gradually various forms of this meditative prayer-devotion were composed and proposed from about 1425 through 1470. It was roughly during this period that the greeting of Elizabeth was included, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb"; and joined to this was her additional testimony under the influence of the Holy Spirit that Mary is the mother of God, "Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"<ref>"mother of my Lord." Here, and throughout the New Testament, the word "Lord" means "God"—Greek Κύριος ''Kyrios'' "Lord" = God.</ref>

When the [[Dominican]] Alan of Rupe, ''Alain de Roche'', a disciple of [[Saint Dominic]], founded the first Rosary Confraternity, he also instituted the more modern form of the rosary, and with that launched the Dominican Order as the foremost preachers and missionaries of the Rosary. The form he favored was to refer a special thought for each bead of the Rosary, in preference to a single meditative thought for the whole, which he called the "old" Rosary. The prayer form of 150 special thoughts for the 150 "Hail Mary"s spread rapidly throughout Western Christendom<ref>In Eastern Christendom, among the Orthodox faithful, another form of prayer with a string of beads became widespread, from the [http://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Philokalia.pdf ''Philokalia'']. This particular repeated devotional-prayer of petition, also using an implement of beads similar but not identical in form to the western Rosary implement, says, "'''Oh, my Lord Jesus Christ, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner.''" Hindus and Moslems have copied this form of prayer-tool also using beads of varying numbers up to 99 or more. Some [[Fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalists]] insist that the Catholic Rosary is a demonic practice borrowed directly from pagan Hindus and Moslems, and that the title [[Queen of Heaven]] refers directly and '''''only''''' to [[Babylon]]ian [[Mesopotamian mythology|Ishtar]] and Phoenician [[Astarte]] and Egyptian [[Isis]] instead of Mary, because the title is found in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+44%3A15-28&version=KJV Jeremiah 44:15-28] together with the burning of incense, and that this is proof that Catholics and Orthodox have substituted Mary/Istar/Astarte/Isis in place of the Son of God, Jesus, having thereby committed [[Apostasy]] from true Christianity. See [[Great Apostasy]] and [[''The Two Babylons'']]</ref>. This form of meditation, with 150 different thoughts, one for each bead, was gradually abandoned as the Christian world transitioned to the [[Renaissance]].

When the [[Dominican]] Alan of Rupe, ''Alain de Roche'', a disciple of [[Saint Dominic]], founded the first Rosary Confraternity, he also instituted the more modern form of the rosary. With that he launched the Dominican Order as being the foremost of preachers and missionaries of the Rosary. The form he favored was to refer a special thought for each bead of the Rosary, in preference to a single meditative thought for the whole, which he called the "old" Rosary. The prayer form of 150 special thoughts for the 150 "Hail Mary"s spread rapidly throughout Western Christendom<ref>In Eastern Christendom, among the Orthodox faithful, another form of prayer with a string of beads became widespread, from the [http://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Philokalia.pdf ''Philokalia'']. This particular repeated devotional-prayer of petition, also using an implement of beads similar but not identical in form to the western Rosary implement, says, "'''Oh, my Lord Jesus Christ, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner.''" Hindus and Moslems have copied this form of prayer-tool also using beads of varying numbers up to 99 or more. Some [[Fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalists]] insist that the Catholic Rosary is a demonic practice borrowed directly from pagan Hindus and Moslems, and that the title [[Queen of Heaven]] refers directly and '''''only''''' to [[Babylon]]ian [[Mesopotamian mythology|Ishtar]] and Phoenician [[Astarte]] and Egyptian [[Isis]] instead of Mary, because the title is found in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+44%3A15-28&version=KJV Jeremiah 44:15-28] together with the burning of incense, and that this is proof that Catholics and Orthodox have substituted Mary/Istar/Astarte/Isis in place of the Son of God, Jesus, having thereby committed [[Apostasy]] from true Christianity. See [[Great Apostasy]] and [[''The Two Babylons'']]</ref>. This form of meditation, with 150 different thoughts, one for each bead, was gradually abandoned as the Christian world transitioned to the [[Renaissance]].

In 1500 for the first time, inexpensive woodblock prints could be made of pictures of the events meditated upon in praying the Rosary, but it was difficult and expensive to draw and then print reproductions of 150 different pictures for each of the 150 Hail Marys. The ten pictures for each of the ten thoughts in each decade were printed around the words of the Our Father. Since the vast majority of the common people were still illiterate these picture rosaries were immensely popular, as a form of directed meditation on the events of our salvation, much easier than attempting to memorize them. This was the time of the printing of the [[Gutenberg Bible]] and the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. It was also the century of the reported apparition in Mexico of [[Our Lady of Guadalupe]]. But gradually, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the use of 150 meditative thoughts gradually died out, and only the 15 brief Our Father thoughts, one for each entire decade of 10 Hail Marys, were printed in the picture rosaries. These fifteen became known as the mysteries of the rosary, because they directly represent the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption in the lives of Jesus and Mary for our salvation.  

In 1500 for the first time, inexpensive woodblock prints could be made of pictures of the events meditated upon in praying the Rosary. Since the vast majority of the common people were still illiterate these picture rosaries were immensely popular, as a form of directed meditation on the events of our salvation, much easier than attempting to memorize them. But it was difficult and expensive to draw and then print reproductions of 150 different pictures for each of the 150 Hail Marys. The ten pictures for each of the ten thoughts in each decade were printed around the words and picture of the Our Father. This was the time of the printing of the [[Gutenberg Bible]] and the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. It was also the century of the reported apparition in Mexico of [[Our Lady of Guadalupe]]. But gradually, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the use of 150 distinct meditative thoughts gradually died out, and only the 15 brief Our Father thoughts, one for each entire decade of 10 Hail Marys, were printed in the picture rosaries. These fifteen became known as the mysteries of the rosary, because they directly represent the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption in the lives of Jesus and Mary for our salvation.  

The [[Sign of the Cross]] and the [[Apostles' Creed]] were added to the beginning of the rosary by the authority of the [[Magisterium]] of the Church, as an affirmation of the fullness of the orthodox and [[catholic]] Christian faith and to prevent superstitious abuse of a sacramental<ref>"superstitious abuse of a sacramental". The added emphasis on orienting the recitation of the Rosary to orthodox Christian doctrine in the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed at the very beginning of the prayer, was pastorally mandated as a counter to any tendency on the part of ignorant people to turn it into a superstitious talisman divorced and separated from God, away from Christ and the Church, and to remind them of the faith in God they should always profess and give witness to.</ref> (a devotional practice officially approved by the Magisterium which predisposes the individual to live a life of grace, as does reverent Bible-reading and other acts of [[piety]]). The addition of the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed along with three Hail Marys, one each for an increase of [[Faith]], an increase of [[Hope]], and an increase of [[Charity]], before beginning the series of 50 or 150 decades, and a "Glory Be" at the end of each decade,

The [[Sign of the Cross]] and the [[Apostles' Creed]] were added to the beginning of the rosary by the authority of the [[Magisterium]] of the Church, as an affirmation of the fullness of the orthodox and [[catholic]] Christian faith and to prevent superstitious abuse of a sacramental<ref>"superstitious abuse of a sacramental". The added emphasis on orienting the recitation of the Rosary to orthodox Christian doctrine in the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed at the very beginning of the prayer, was pastorally mandated as a counter to any tendency on the part of ignorant people to turn it into a superstitious talisman divorced and separated from God, away from Christ and the Church, and to remind them of the faith in God they should always profess and give witness to.</ref> (a devotional practice officially approved by the Magisterium which predisposes the individual to live a life of grace, as does reverent Bible-reading and other acts of [[piety]]). The addition of the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed along with three Hail Marys, one each for an increase of [[Faith]], an increase of [[Hope]], and an increase of [[Charity]], as a preparatory introduction before beginning the series of 50 or 150 decades, and a "Glory Be" at the end of each decade—

:"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."

:"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."

—and an added conclusive ending with a "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy," a prayer crying to her, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, as advocate, to look on us with mercy and pray for us to God, and after our deaths to show to us Jesus himself, and finally ending with a closing prayer to God alone, acknowledging his gift of unmerited salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Son of God:

—and an added conclusive ending with a "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy," a prayer crying to her, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, as advocate, to look on us with mercy and pray for us to God, and after our deaths to show to us Jesus himself, and finally ending with a closing prayer to God alone, acknowledging his gift of unmerited salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Son of God:

:"O God, Whose only-begotten Son has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, Grant, we beseech thee, that meditating on these mysteries in 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".

:"O God, Whose only-begotten Son has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, Grant, we beseech thee, that meditating on these mysteries in 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".

The Rosary ends as it begins, with the Sign of the Cross,  

—these, when prayed with sincere devotion to God and to Mary his handmaiden, achieved by grace the purpose of prayer: the raising of the heart and mind to God our Savior. The Rosary ends as it begins, with the Sign of the Cross,  

:"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."  

:"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."  

"''World without end''" is an English translation of the ancient traditional Latin ''per secula seculorum'', more literally, "unto world upon world", "to age after age", meaning "for ever and ever". (Compare [[Secular]].)

"''World without end''" is an English translation of the ancient traditional Latin ''per secula seculorum'', more literally, "unto world upon world", "to age after age", meaning "for ever and ever". (Compare [[Secular]].)

During the [[Easter|Easter Season]] up to [[Pentecost]], the Church prescribes the temporary replacement of the Hail Holy Queen at the end of the recitation of the Rosary with the prayer, ''Regina Caeli'',

During the [[Easter|Easter Season]] up to [[Pentecost]], the Church prescribes the temporary replacement of the Hail Holy Queen at the end of the recitation of the Rosary with the prayer, ''Regina Caeli'',

:"Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia! For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia! Has risen as He said, Alleluia! Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, Alleluia! For the Lord has risen indeed, Alleluia!"

:"Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia! For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia! Has risen as He said, Alleluia! Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, Alleluia! For the Lord has risen indeed, Alleluia!"

This prayer, to be used during the Easter Season, has fallen into general neglect and disuse through the unwitting ignorance of most of the people who are generally unaware of it through lack of being told about it, and who pray the Rosary privately and lead the Rosary in church before or after the [[Eucharist|Mass]]. Because they are in the habit of always saying the Hail Holy Queen prayer at the end of the Rosary they say it during the Easter Season too, simply from habit. When another devoutly attempts to advise them to use the ''Regina Caeli'', they either resist the counsel offered and do what they have always done, even if they believe what they have just been told, or they humbly accept it and do what has been more traditionally prescribed by the Church, once they know about it. If the pastor, the priest, is disinclined to correct them, he will advise the individual in favor of praying the ''Regina Caeli'' to not be too concerned, and to let the matter rest, to avoid disturbing the people.

This prayer, to be used during the Easter Season, has fallen into general neglect and disuse through the unwitting ignorance of people who are generally unaware of it through lack of being told about it, and who pray the Rosary privately and lead the Rosary in church before or after the [[Eucharist|Mass]]. Because they are in the habit of always saying the Hail Holy Queen prayer at the end of the Rosary they say it during the Easter Season too, simply from habit. When another person, better informed about the traditions of the faith, devoutly attempts to advise them to use the ''Regina Caeli'', they either resist the counsel offered and do what they have always done, even if they believe what they have just been told, or they humbly accept it and do what has been more traditionally prescribed by the Church, once they know about it. If the pastor, the priest, is disinclined to correct them, he will advise the individual in favor of praying the ''Regina Caeli'' to not be too concerned, and to let the matter rest, to avoid disturbing the people.

Near the end of the 20th century, [[Pope John Paul II]], who was specially devoted to the mother of Jesus, proposed five more decades, which he called the ''Mysteries of Light'', directly related to the mysteries of the ministry of Jesus and the preaching of [[the Gospel]] to the multitudes and to his apostles on earth, whom he called and ordained, before his passion and death, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven. This brought the number of decades of the full Rosary to twenty mysteries—2 Sign of the Cross, 1 Apostles' Creed, 21 Our Father, 203 Hail Mary, 21 Glory Be, 1 Hail Holy Queen, and 1 closing prayer petitioning God for the grace to live the mysteries contained in the truths of the Gospel remembered in the Rosary, ending with the sign of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord, the Sign of the Cross. When five decades of the Rosary are prayed at one time (one Rosary), times 4, then the prayers total more—8 Sign of the Cross, 4 Apostles' Creed, 24 Our Father, 212 Hail Mary, 24 Glory Be, 4 Hail Holy Queen, or 4 ''Regina Caeli'', and 4 Grant We Beseech Thee O Lord.

Near the end of the 20th century, [[Pope John Paul II]], who was specially devoted to the mother of Jesus, proposed five more decades, which he called the ''Mysteries of Light'', directly related to the mysteries of the ministry of Jesus and the preaching of [[the Gospel]] to the multitudes and to his apostles on earth, whom he called and ordained, before his passion and death, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.  

Many Popes, and particularly the Dominicans, have urged the regular recitation of the rosary, which means "a crown of roses" as a spiritual bouquet given to the [[Mary|Blessed Mother]]. In the Bible both the purpose and the elements of this devotion can be found.{{cquote|"Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15) <br>"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28) <br>"Behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48)  <br>"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42) <br>"The holy women who hoped in God." (1 Peter 3:5) <br>"And why is this granted unto me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43) <br>"Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous." (1 John 3:7) <br>"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30) <br>"And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) <br>"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father." (Matthew 13:43) <br>"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Revelation 12:1) <br>"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' " (John 2:5) <br>"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4) <br>"The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. ... My brothers, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (1 John 5:16 and 20) <br>"If he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (2 Maccabees 12:44-45)}}

 

Many Popes, and particularly the Dominicans, have urged the regular recitation of the rosary which means "a crown of roses" as a spiritual bouquet given to the [[Mary|Blessed Mother]]. In the Bible both the purpose and the elements of this devotion can be found.{{cquote|"Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15) <br>"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28) <br>"Behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48)  <br>"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42) <br>"The holy women who hoped in God." (1 Peter 3:5) <br>"And why is this granted unto me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43) <br>"Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous." (1 John 3:7) <br>"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30) <br>"And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) <br>"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father." (Matthew 13:43) <br>"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Revelation 12:1) <br>"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' " (John 2:5) <br>"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4) <br>"The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. ... My brothers, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (1 John 5:16 and 20) <br>"If he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (2 Maccabees 12:44-45)}} The devout prayer of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been recommended to the faithful as a most salutary and beneficial spiritual exercise of the heart, mind and soul.

==Vain repetitions==

==Vain repetitions==

The Catholic Church teaches that an empty recitation of her officially approved prayers, in particular the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, without personal intent or attention to and awareness of the meaning of the words, and without consciously addressing them, as they should be addressed, to God or to the saints (see [[Intercession of the saints]]), saying them without obedient love and devotion, without meaning them, but instead simply mouthing them, as an empty habit of repetition, while freely thinking about something else entirely, is a serious [[sin]] of [[indifference]], even disrespectful contempt for what is [[sacred]] and [[holy]] as if it has no meaning or dignity, or is unworthy of honor or humble reverence, like ignoring and taking someone for granted as if he or she is no more important than a post or a wall or a piece of furniture. Such people are [[hypocrites]]. This is why God through the prophet [[Isaiah]] said, "This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote." And Jesus himself said, "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me'." (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:7-8.) He also said, "But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:7.)  

The Catholic Church teaches that an empty recitation of her officially approved prayers, in particular the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, without the effort of deliberately engaging personal intent or attention to and awareness of the meaning of the words, and without consciously addressing them, as they should be addressed, directly to God or to the saints (see [[Intercession of the saints]]), saying them without obedient love and devotion, without meaning them, but instead simply mouthing them, as an empty habit of repetition, while freely thinking about something else entirely, is a serious [[sin]] of [[indifference]], even coldly disrespectful contempt for what is [[sacred]] and [[holy]] as if it has no meaning or dignity, or is unworthy of honor or humble reverence, like ignoring and taking someone for granted as if he or she is no more important than a post or a wall or a piece of furniture, an empty ritualistic formula and hollow waste of time. Such people are [[hypocrites]]. This is why God through the prophet [[Isaiah]] said, "This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote." And Jesus himself said, "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me'." (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:7-8.) He also said, "But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:7.)  

On the basis of these verses many Protestants condemn the repeated recitations of the Hail Mary in the Rosary as always ''[[ipso facto]]'' being vain repetitions, without taking account of the fact that Psalm 136 repeats the same praise 26 times, and without considering the inward devotion in the heart of the sincerely devout Catholic Christian who says them with reverent love. It is written in the Protestant King James Version of 1 Samuel 16:7b, "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the L<small>ORD</small> looketh on the heart." The devout Christian who means every word of the prayers of the Rosary does not use vain repetitions.

On the basis of these verses many Protestants condemn the repeated recitations of the Hail Mary in the Rosary as always ''[[ipso facto]]'' being vain repetitions, without taking account of the fact that the inspired biblical text of Psalm 136 repeats the same praise 26 times, and without considering the inward devotion in the heart of the sincerely devout Catholic Christian who says them with reverent love. It is written in the Protestant King James Version of 1 Samuel 16:7b, "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the L<small>ORD</small> looketh on the heart." The devout Christian who means every word of the prayers of the Rosary does not use vain repetitions.

==Praying the Rosary==

==Praying the Rosary==

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'''Mysteries of the Rosary'''  

===Mysteries of the Rosary===  

The Joyful Mysteries  

====The Joyful Mysteries====

Said on Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays of the Christmas Season.  

Said on Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays of the Christmas Season.  

*The Blessed Mother finds Jesus in the Temple.  

*The Blessed Mother finds Jesus in the Temple.  

The Mysteries of Light, as proposed by Pope John Paul II

====The Mysteries of Light, as proposed by Pope John Paul II====

Said on Thursdays

Said on Thursdays

*The institution of the Sacrament and the establishment of the Priesthood

*The institution of the Sacrament and the establishment of the Priesthood

The Sorrowful Mysteries

====The Sorrowful Mysteries====

Said on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Sundays of Lent

Said on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Sundays of Lent

*Jesus is crucified, gives his mother to John, thirsts, cries out, dies, and is pierced in the side

*Jesus is crucified, gives his mother to John, thirsts, cries out, dies, and is pierced in the side

The Glorious Mysteries

====The Glorious Mysteries====

Said on Wednesdays and Sundays of Easter Season and Ordinary Time

Said on Wednesdays and Sundays of Easter Season and Ordinary Time

*The Coronation of Mary and the glory of all the Saints Revelation 12:1

*The Coronation of Mary and the glory of all the Saints Revelation 12:1

*A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.<ref>See Daniel 12:3 and Matthew 13:43</ref>

*A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.<ref>See Daniel 12:3 and Matthew 13:43</ref>

Before the Mysteries of Light proposed by Pope John Paul II, the 15-Decade Rosary (in honor of the 150 Psalms) was prayed as follows:

Before the Mysteries of Light proposed by Pope John Paul II, the 15-Decade Rosary (in honor of the 150 Psalms) was prayed as follows:

*On Sundays of Christmas the 5 Joyful Mysteries

*On Sundays of Christmas the 5 Joyful Mysteries

*On Sundays of Lent the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries

*On Sundays of Lent the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries

*On all other Sundays of the year, during Advent and Ordinary Time, the 5 Glorious Mysteries.

*On all other Sundays of the year, during Advent and Ordinary Time, the 5 Glorious Mysteries.<ref>

 

Some devotees of this form of prayer and praise of God in honor of Mary recite and meditate once every day on all 15 Mysteries or on all 20 Mysteries (including the Mysteries of Light), which normally takes from 30 to 45 minutes.  

Some devotees of this form of prayer and praise of God in honor of Mary recite and meditate once every day on all 15 Mysteries or on all 20 Mysteries (including the Mysteries of Light), which normally takes from 30 to 45 minutes.  

The Rosary is comparable and parallel to the Old Testament Psalm 136, which recalls with praises of thanksgiving each of the marvelous works of the Lord and repeats 26 times, "for his mercy endures for ever!"

The Rosary is comparable and parallel to the Old Testament Psalm 136, which recalls with praises of thanksgiving each of the marvelous works of the Lord and repeats 26 times, "for his mercy endures for ever!"

== Rosary in Latin ==

== Rosary in Latin ==

[[Category:Catholic Church]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]