Let Us Pray
Blessed Mother Mary, Mother of all, You have been there for us always.
Thank you for guiding us on life’s journey. You have been our guide and taught us to trust.
Keep us in your loving care. Help us to know your Son Jesus better, and walk in His way. O good and gentle Mother, wrap us in your mantle of love. Protect us this day from all that would separate us from you and your precious Son. Teach us to love as you do, to forgive as Jesus does, and to reach out to others in need, reflecting the image of our Divine Creator. Keep us ever faithful and true as we seek to enhance the reign of God on earth. Thank you for loving us, dearest Mother. Amen.
October the Month of the Rosary
In the Church, October is the month dedicated to the Rosary. The rosary is one of the most cherished prayers of our Catholic Church. The word rosary itself comes from the Latin “rosarium,” meaning “crown of roses” or “garland of roses”. The Rosary focuses on gospel stories from the life of Christ in addition to a handful of prayers. By focusing on the life of Jesus Christ, when one prays the Rosary, they focus on God and his ways.
Pope Pius V (1566-1576) established a set of fifteen prayers or what we commonly call the mysteries of the rosary. The mysteries are listed in three sets; Joyful mystery, sorrowful mystery and Glorious mystery. In 2002 Pope John Paul the 11 introduced the first major changes to the rosary in centuries. He added a set of five “mysteries of light” to the three sets of meditations in order to focus on “Christ’s public ministry” and “bring out fully the Christological depth of the rosary.” This is known as the Luminous mystery.
The “mysteries of light” follow the “joyful mysteries” recalling Christ’s birth and infancy and precede the “sorrowful mysteries” of his suffering and death and the “glorious mysteries” of his resurrection.
The prayers that constitute the Rosary are arranged in a set of ten Hail Marys called decades. The decades are preceded with the Lord’s Prayer followed by the Glory Be and followed by the O my Jesus Prayer.
Different popes have prompted the rosary as part of the worship or reverence of Mary in the Catholic faith and church for more than four centuries. The rosary is symbolic of the emphasis the Catholics have placed on the participation of Mary in the divine and physical life of Christ. Our Lady is seen as the gateway to Christ.
The Rosary is believed to be a prayer that can transform hearts and lives. Praying the rosary is more than a tradition, rather it is an encounter with the Lord.
DID YOU KNOW ?
PEACE OF MIND
Praying the Rosary can bring forth peace of mind as one puts all his worries and intentions to God. One is comforted knowing that Jesus’ mother Mary is praying for them as well as their intentions.
INCREASE IN LOVE FOR JESUS
Through praying the Rosary, one meditates on the life of Jesus Christ. As one begins to understand the suffering that Jesus Christ endured on the cross, the love for Jesus increases as well as faith in Him.
UNITY WITH THE CHURCH
The Rosary is a prayer that has been recited worldwide for many centuries. This one prayer unites members of the Catholic Church in every corner of the world.
UNDERSTANDING THE WILL OF GOD
Praying the Rosary helps one to understand God’s teachings and ways. Often, God answers prayers at his own time and not as per our time, this prayer helps to build patience and content with whichever answer will be provided by God.
ACCEPTING MARY’S REQUEST FOR PEACE
Hundreds of years ago, Mary appeared to the children in Fatima requesting them to pray the Rosary each day for peace to prevail in the world. Praying the Rosary is following her direction.
BUILDING FOCUS ON GOD
The Rosary focuses on the life of Jesus Christ therefore when one prays the Rosary, they focus on God and his ways. One recognizes God for his unconditional love.
YOU BECOME MORE DISCIPLINED
The grace of discipline is built every time you switch off your phone, quieten your mind to concentrate, and pray even when tired. The more you pray the Rosary the more you want to continue praying the Rosary.
YOU SPEND TIME IN PRAYER WITH MARY AND JESUS
Praying the Rosary requires time. By doing this, you build your relationship with God.
