Changes

'''The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]]''' (Latin: rosarium, "rose garden", Spanish:Rosario, English: "rosary"), is a traditional [[prayer]] devotion in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], originally inspired by the [[Monastery|monastic]] praying of the 150 [[Psalms]]. The Rosary is also prayed by some in the [[Anglican Communion]], most notably [[Anglo-Catholicism|Anglo-Catholic]]s, and [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]]. The Rosary is not a part of [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] tradition.

'''The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]]''' (Latin: rosarium, "rose garden", Spanish:Rosario, English: "rosary"), is a traditional [[prayer]] devotion in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], originally inspired by the [[Monastery|monastic]] praying of the 150 [[Psalms]]. The Rosary is also prayed by some in the [[Anglican Communion]], most notably [[Anglo-Catholicism|Anglo-Catholic]]s, and [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]]. The Rosary is not a part of [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] tradition.

The Rosary is a compact summation of Christian doctrine directed toward [[God|Almighty God]]. It begins with the [[Sign of the Cross]], the [[Apostles' Creed]] and the [[The Lord's Prayer|Our Father]], followed by a prayer combining the Angelic Salutation of [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] when he first appeared to Mary to announce the [[Incarnation]], with the declaration of Elizabeth to Mary when she was filled with the [[Holy Spirit]] and cried out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb", and a petition to Mary, alive in [[heaven]], to [[Intercession of the saints|pray for sinners]], "now and at the hour of our death", concluding with an [[Amen]] and prayer of [[praise]] directed to the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]], "Glory be to the [[God the Father|Father]] and to the [[Jesus Christ|Son]] and to the [[Holy Spirit]]'''!''' As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, amen."<ref>"world without end" is from the Latin ''secula seculorum'', and simply means "forever". Some updated versions of the Rosary say, "is now, and will be forever".</ref> It concludes with a prayer to Mary to look on us with mercy and pray for us ([[intercession]]), and a final prayer to Almighty God, "'''O God''', whose Only-begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life<ref>"rewards of eternal life". See Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:14; 2:11-22; also Matthew 5:12; 10:41-42; 16:27; Romans 2:10; Colossians 2:18; 3:24; Hebrews 12:28; 2 John 8; see verses referring to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross as meriting for us our unmerited salvation as the free gift of God, Romans 5:15-18; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 4:7; Hebrews 6:4-6.</ref>, '''grant, we beseech thee''', that in [[Meditation#Christian meditation - Contemplation|meditating]] upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, '''through the same Christ Our Lord, amen.'''" The prayers of the Rosary are concluded with the Sign of the Cross, orienting the whole to [[salvation]] in and through Christ Jesus alone. <blockquote>"In the Rosary is contained in compact form the whole of the Christian doctrine of salvation."<ref>See [[Rosary#External links|External links] below: Quotes about the Rosary from Our Lady, Popes and Saints]].</ref></blockquote>

The Rosary is a compact summation of Christian doctrine directed toward [[God|Almighty God]]. It begins with the [[Sign of the Cross]], the [[Apostles' Creed]] and the [[The Lord's Prayer|Our Father]], followed by a prayer combining the Angelic Salutation of [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] when he first appeared to Mary to announce the [[Incarnation]], with the declaration of Elizabeth to Mary when she was filled with the [[Holy Spirit]] and cried out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb", and a petition to Mary, alive in [[heaven]], to [[Intercession of the saints|pray for sinners]], "now and at the hour of our death", concluding with an [[Amen]] and prayer of [[praise]] directed to the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]], "Glory be to the [[God the Father|Father]] and to the [[Jesus Christ|Son]] and to the [[Holy Spirit]]'''!''' As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, amen."<ref>"world without end" is from the Latin ''secula seculorum'', and simply means "forever". Some updated versions of the Rosary say, "is now, and will be forever".</ref> It concludes with a prayer to Mary to look on us with mercy and pray for us ([[intercession]]), and a final prayer to Almighty God, "'''O God''', whose Only-begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life,<ref>"rewards of eternal life". See Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:14; 2:11-22; also Matthew 5:12; 10:41-42; 16:27; Romans 2:10; Colossians 2:18; 3:24; Hebrews 12:28; 2 John 8; see verses referring to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross as meriting for us our unmerited salvation as the free gift of God, Romans 5:15-18; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 4:7; Hebrews 6:4-6.</ref> '''grant, we beseech thee''', that in [[Meditation#Christian meditation - Contemplation|meditating]] upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, '''through the same Christ Our Lord, amen.'''" The prayers of the Rosary are concluded with the Sign of the Cross, orienting the whole to [[salvation]] in and through Christ Jesus alone. <blockquote>"In the Rosary is contained in compact form the whole of the Christian doctrine of salvation."<ref>See [[Rosary#External links|External links]] below: Quotes about the Rosary from Our Lady, Popes and Saints.</ref></blockquote>

'''A Rosary''' also refers to the Rosary implement, which is simply called a Rosary. It is a circular string or chain, usually of fifty-five beads, a "five-decade Rosary", beginning with a pendant [[crucifix]] and four additional beads representing one ''Our Father'' prayer and three ''Hail Mary'' prayers for faith, hope and charity, followed by a spacing for the ''Glory Be'' prayer, and a single ''Our Father'' bead representing the first of the five decades, which is attached to the circlet of five groupings of beads called decades (Latin ''decade'': "ten"), representing five sets of one ''Our Father'' prayer and ten groupings of the ''Hail Mary'' prayer each set separated by a space for the ''Glory Be'' prayer. The circlet and the pendant of the crucifix with the four introductory prayer beads and a single Our Father bead for the first decade are usually joined together with a small medallion representing Mary in prayer to God bestowing His divine graces on the world, making 59 beads total. The "five-decade Rosary" used three times equals fifteen decades in representation of the 150 Psalms.  

'''A Rosary''' also refers to the Rosary implement, which is simply called a Rosary. It is a circular string or chain, usually of fifty-five beads, a "five-decade Rosary", beginning with a pendant [[crucifix]] and four additional beads representing one ''Our Father'' prayer and three ''Hail Mary'' prayers for faith, hope and charity, followed by a spacing for the ''Glory Be'' prayer, and a single ''Our Father'' bead representing the first of the five decades, which is attached to the circlet of five groupings of beads called decades (Latin ''decade'': "ten"), representing five sets of one ''Our Father'' prayer and ten groupings of the ''Hail Mary'' prayer each set separated by a space for the ''Glory Be'' prayer. The circlet and the pendant of the crucifix with the four introductory prayer beads and a single Our Father bead for the first decade are usually joined together with a small medallion representing Mary in prayer to God bestowing His divine graces on the world, making 59 beads total. The "five-decade Rosary" used three times equals fifteen decades in representation of the 150 Psalms.  

A larger "fifteen-decade Rosary" implement is made up of the full number of fifteen decades, sometimes referred to in Spanish terminology as a ''lasso''<ref>"a lasso". Not only because of its physical form, but in reference to devoutly capturing souls for Christ and the Kingdom of God by prayer, and "rounding them up" in the gathering of the flock of the Church.</ref>. Together with the pendant crucifix with four introductory beads and the fifteen Our Father beads with each of the fifteen decades divided by fifteen spaces, the number of Rosary beads in the "full Rosary" totals 169 beads (150 + 15 + 4).  

A larger "fifteen-decade Rosary" implement is made up of the full number of fifteen decades, sometimes referred to in Spanish terminology as a ''lasso''.<ref>"a lasso". Not only because of its physical form, but in reference to devoutly capturing souls for Christ and the Kingdom of God by prayer, and "rounding them up" in the gathering of the flock of the Church.</ref> Together with the pendant crucifix with four introductory beads and the fifteen Our Father beads with each of the fifteen decades divided by fifteen spaces, the number of Rosary beads in the "full Rosary" totals 169 beads (150 + 15 + 4).  

The additional five decades of the ''Luminous Mysteries'', the "Mysteries of Light" promulgated by [[Pope John Paul II]], makes a "full Rosary" of twenty decades. A ''lasso'' made for the purpose of including these decades as an integral part of the whole would total 224 beads (169 + 55).  

The additional five decades of the ''Luminous Mysteries'', the "Mysteries of Light" promulgated by [[Pope John Paul II]], makes a "full Rosary" of twenty decades. A ''lasso'' made for the purpose of including these decades as an integral part of the whole would total 224 beads (169 + 55).  

The Catholic Church teaches that the words of prayers said without intention from the heart, soul, and mind, merely "going through the motions" [[Indifference|indifferently]]<ref>What the Bible calls "vain repetition"—also called "rattling them off" as a mechanically repeated dead [[habit]] having no significant meaning, empty of content.</ref>, offering only empty "lip service"<ref>"lip service" in condemned in Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6.</ref> with the willful distraction of thinking of other things as more important, without reverence and love in the lifting up of the heart and mind toward God, is a serious [[sin]] of irreverence. See [[Sacrilege]] and [[Blasphemy]], also [[Hypocrites]] and [[Pharisees]].

The Catholic Church teaches that the words of prayers said without intention from the heart, soul, and mind, merely "going through the motions" [[Indifference|indifferently]],<ref>What the Bible calls "vain repetition"—also called "rattling them off" as a mechanically repeated dead [[habit]] having no significant meaning, empty of content.</ref> offering only empty "lip service"<ref>"lip service" in condemned in Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6.</ref> with the willful distraction of thinking of other things as more important, without reverence and love in the lifting up of the heart and mind toward God, is a serious [[sin]] of irreverence. See [[Sacrilege]] and [[Blasphemy]], also [[Hypocrites]] and [[Pharisees]].

The charge that devotion to Mary is a form of [[paganism]]<ref> Some [[Fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalists]] insist that the Catholic Rosary is a [[demon]]ic 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 [[Egyptian mythology|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'']] <br> See the general article [http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/cath/catholic.htm '''Roman Catholicism: Pagan or Christian?''' (rapidnet.com)], a critique of Catholic doctrines. Contains the argument that devotion to Mary makes of her a separate pagan goddess. <br> It should be noted that no Catholic is ever taught or told that the name of Mary actually refers to Isis, Ishtar, Astarte, Diana, Artemis, Hera, Juno, Gaia, or to any pagan mother goddess, or that they are to regard her as the sole source of saving grace apart from Jesus Christ, but to regard her as his most perfect servant and his beloved mother. Catholics utterly reject as absurd the notion that the devotion to Mary addressed to her is the same as the worship of [[adoration]], to be offered apart from devotion to her Son Jesus Christ in the Father with the Holy Spirit, one God.</ref> and the mindless uttering of merely empty "vain repetitions"<ref>KJV "vain repetitions", or "heaping up empty phrases" (RSV), Matthew 6:7-8.</ref> is regarded by Catholics as utterly absurd, and as part of an ongoing, centuries-old campaign of anti-Catholic Protestant [[polemic]] of [[defamation]], unfortunately based on [[falsehood|misrepresentations]] rooted in [[ignorance]] of its real meaning and intent. (See [[Libel]] and [[Slander]].) David J. Stewart, a popular [[Fundamentalism|fundamentalist]], states in his widely read column that, "Biblically, Mary was a dirty, rotten, vile, sinner—just like you and me, and everyone else!". And he states emphatically and unequivocally, "The Rosary is evil!"<ref>[https://jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/mary_is_nothing.htm Catholic Mary is Nothing! By David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)]</ref>

The charge that devotion to Mary is a form of [[paganism]]<ref>Some [[Fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalists]] insist that the Catholic Rosary is a [[demon]]ic 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 [[Egyptian mythology|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'']] <br> See the general article [http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/cath/catholic.htm '''Roman Catholicism: Pagan or Christian?''' (rapidnet.com)], a critique of Catholic doctrines. Contains the argument that devotion to Mary makes of her a separate pagan goddess. <br> It should be noted that no Catholic is ever taught or told that the name of Mary actually refers to Isis, Ishtar, Astarte, Diana, Artemis, Hera, Juno, Gaia, or to any pagan mother goddess, or that they are to regard her as the sole source of saving grace apart from Jesus Christ, but to regard her as his most perfect servant and his beloved mother. Catholics utterly reject as absurd the notion that the devotion to Mary addressed to her is the same as the worship of [[adoration]], to be offered apart from devotion to her Son Jesus Christ in the Father with the Holy Spirit, one God.</ref> and the mindless uttering of merely empty "vain repetitions"<ref>KJV "vain repetitions", or "heaping up empty phrases" (RSV), Matthew 6:7-8.</ref> is regarded by Catholics as utterly absurd, and as part of an ongoing, centuries-old campaign of anti-Catholic Protestant [[polemic]] of [[defamation]], unfortunately based on [[falsehood|misrepresentations]] rooted in [[ignorance]] of its real meaning and intent. (See [[Libel]] and [[Slander]].) David J. Stewart, a popular [[Fundamentalism|fundamentalist]], states in his widely read column that, "Biblically, Mary was a dirty, rotten, vile, sinner—just like you and me, and everyone else!". And he states emphatically and unequivocally, "The Rosary is evil!"<ref>[https://jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/mary_is_nothing.htm Catholic Mary is Nothing! By David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)]</ref>

== History ==

== History ==

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. For the same reason, many Christians love personally reciting the [[Psalm 23|23rd Psalm]] and the Lord's Prayer frequently through the day, to keep their hearts attuned to the will and love of God.

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. For the same reason, many Christians love personally reciting the [[Psalm 23|23rd Psalm]] and the Lord's Prayer frequently through the day, to keep their hearts attuned to the will and love of God.

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the 150 "Our Father"s, others began likewise 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".

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the 150 "Our Father"s, others began likewise 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 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). And they note that 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), a unique [[privilege]] given to no one else. 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.  

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). And they note that 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), a unique [[privilege]] given to no one else. 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.  

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>  

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 [[Carthusian Order]]<ref>A visitator is an authorized representative of a religious order who makes tours of inspection, to encourage and to correct the lives of the memberships and leaderships of the various individual congregations,</ref>, 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.

Then about 1375, Henry of Kalkar, the ''Visitator'' of the [[Carthusian Order]],<ref>A visitator is an authorized representative of a religious order who makes tours of inspection, to encourage and to correct the lives of the memberships and leaderships of the various individual congregations,</ref> 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 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>

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. With that he launched the Dominican Order as being the foremost of preachers and missionaries of the Rosary, during the [[Albigensians|Albigensian Crusade]] in Europe against the [[Cathar]]s. 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.</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, during the [[Albigensians|Albigensian Crusade]] in Europe against the [[Cathar]]s. 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.</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. 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 at the beginning of each decade. 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.  

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 at the beginning of each decade. 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.  

== External links ==

== External links ==

:''The following sequence of external links corresponds to the sequence of information as presented in the main article.''

:''The following sequence of external links corresponds to the sequence of information as presented in the main article.'' * [https://www.rosarybay.com/pray-the-rosary-with-the-psalms-our-ladys-psalter Our Lady's Psalter: Praying the Rosary with the Psalms (rosarybay.com)] ''How the Rosary was originally drawn from the 150 Psalms.''

 

* [http://www.franciscan.org.au/anglican-rosary/ The Anglican Rosary (franciscan.org)] ''Anglican Prayer Beads (Rosary) arose out of a contemplative prayer group led by Rev. Lynn Bauman from the Episcopal church in the United States.'' (1980's)

[https://www.rosarybay.com/pray-the-rosary-with-the-psalms-our-ladys-psalter Our Lady's Psalter: Praying the Rosary with the Psalms (rosarybay.com)] ''How the Rosary was originally drawn from the 150 Psalms.''

* [https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=788 Martin Luther's Devotion to Mary, Dave Armstrong (catholicculture.org)] ''Quotes Luther with direct source references to his writings''.

 

* [https://www.wikihow.com/Pray-the-Lutheran-Rosary How to Pray the Lutheran Rosary (wikihow.com)]

[http://www.franciscan.org.au/anglican-rosary/ The Anglican Rosary (franciscan.org)] ''Anglican Prayer Beads (Rosary) arose out of a contemplative prayer group led by Rev. Lynn Bauman from the Episcopal church in the United States.'' (1980's)

* [http://www.prayerbedes.com/?page_id=53 Lutheran Rosary - Prayer Bedes (prayerbedes.com)]

 

* [http://www.pivotpointministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Praying-The-Lutheran-Rosary.pdf How to Pray the Rosary as a Lutheran (pivotpointministries.org)]

[https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=788 Martin Luther's Devotion to Mary, Dave Armstrong (catholicculture.org)] ''Quotes Luther with direct source references to his writings''.

* [https://oca.org/questions/romancatholicism/the-rosary The Rosary - Orthodox Church in America (oca.org)] ''Article says the Catholic Rosary is not a part of Orthodox tradition and refers to the monastic Philokalia tradition''.

 

* [http://www.catholicapologetics.org/ap080600.htm Private Devotions to Mary: The Rosary (catholicapologetics.org)]

[https://www.wikihow.com/Pray-the-Lutheran-Rosary How to Pray the Lutheran Rosary (wikihow.com)]

* [http://www.tfp.org/quotes-of-our-lady-popes-and-saints/ Quotes about the Rosary from Our Lady, Popes and Saints (tfp.org)]

 

* [https://www.smp.org/dynamicmedia/files/f6ddcfc8a0222cec6f222a67f63b6d69/TX001054_1-Background-The_Rosary.pdf The Rosary: A Prayer for All Time (smp.org)] ''Historical background''

[http://www.prayerbedes.com/?page_id=53 Lutheran Rosary - Prayer Bedes (prayerbedes.com)]

* [https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-rosary.html Is Praying the Rosary Scriptural? (gotquestions.org)] ''Article says absolutely not.''

 

* [http://spiralgoddess.com/Mary.html Mary: Protectress, Mother, Goddess and Saint (spiralgoddess.com)] ''[[Feminism|Feminist]] pagan article claiming that the Mother Goddess was retained by the Catholic Church under the guise of Mary, also acknowledging that the Catholic Church denies this.''

[http://www.pivotpointministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Praying-The-Lutheran-Rosary.pdf How to Pray the Rosary as a Lutheran (pivotpointministries.org)]

* [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/unholy_rosary.htm The Unholy Catholic Rosary, David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)] ''Author states unequivocally that "the Rosary comes straight from the pits of hell!", and offers supporting arguments from the Bible. Presents accurate list of the 15 promises of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 to everyone who prays the Rosary.'' This article also includes a link to his companion article [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/hoax_of_our_lady_of_fatima.htm The Hoax of ''Our Lady of Fatima''] regarding praying the Rosary, and that statues and representations of Mary are [[Satan]]ic.

 

* [http://www.catholicbridge.com/catholic/mary_rosary.php Is the Rosary Contrary to the Bible? (catholicbridge.com)] —''Author says, "no", and offers supporting argument from the Bible that the Rosary is completely scriptural. "Jesus is at the Centre - Here are the Main Prayers of the Rosary ... The 'Hail Mary' written above has the scriptural references after each line. Some Evangelicals feel that it is blasphemous to say that Mary is 'Holy.' Peter quoted Jesus, 'You shall be holy because I am holy' (1&nbsp;Peter 1:14-16).''" Article includes the Rosary prayers.

[https://oca.org/questions/romancatholicism/the-rosary The Rosary - Orthodox Church in America (oca.org)] ''Article says the Catholic Rosary is not a part of Orthodox tradition and refers to the monastic Philokalia tradition''.

 

[http://www.catholicapologetics.org/ap080600.htm Private Devotions to Mary: The Rosary (catholicapologetics.org)]

 

[http://www.tfp.org/quotes-of-our-lady-popes-and-saints/ Quotes about the Rosary from Our Lady, Popes and Saints (tfp.org)]

 

[https://www.smp.org/dynamicmedia/files/f6ddcfc8a0222cec6f222a67f63b6d69/TX001054_1-Background-The_Rosary.pdf The Rosary: A Prayer for All Time (smp.org)] ''Historical background''

 

[https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-rosary.html Is Praying the Rosary Scriptural? (gotquestions.org)] ''Article says absolutely not.''

 

[http://spiralgoddess.com/Mary.html Mary: Protectress, Mother, Goddess and Saint (spiralgoddess.com)] ''[[Feminism|Feminist]] pagan article claiming that the Mother Goddess was retained by the Catholic Church under the guise of Mary, also acknowledging that the Catholic Church denies this.''

 

[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/unholy_rosary.htm The Unholy Catholic Rosary, David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)] ''Author states unequivocally that "the Rosary comes straight from the pits of hell!", and offers supporting arguments from the Bible. Presents accurate list of the 15 promises of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 to everyone who prays the Rosary.'' This article also includes a link to his companion article [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/hoax_of_our_lady_of_fatima.htm The Hoax of ''Our Lady of Fatima''] regarding praying the Rosary, and that statues and representations of Mary are [[Satan]]ic.

 

[http://www.catholicbridge.com/catholic/mary_rosary.php Is the Rosary Contrary to the Bible? (catholicbridge.com)] —''Author says, "no", and offers supporting argument from the Bible that the Rosary is completely scriptural. "Jesus is at the Centre - Here are the Main Prayers of the Rosary ... The 'Hail Mary' written above has the scriptural references after each line. Some Evangelicals feel that it is blasphemous to say that Mary is 'Holy.' Peter quoted Jesus, 'You shall be holy because I am holy' (1&nbsp;Peter 1:14-16).''" Article includes the Rosary prayers.

[http://miraculousrosary.blogspot.com/p/famous-rosary-miracles.html Miraculous Rosary: Famous Rosary Miracles (miraculousrosary.blogspot.com)]

[http://miraculousrosary.blogspot.com/p/famous-rosary-miracles.html Miraculous Rosary: Famous Rosary Miracles (miraculousrosary.blogspot.com)]