Pray the I^OSAliY HOW TO SAY THE ROSARY "poSARY beads usually consist of five decades (five sets of ten small beads chained together with one large bead separating each set) . To this set of five decades is added a crucifix on which is said the Apostles' Creed; one large bead on which is said the Our Father; three small beads on which are said three Hail Marys ending with one "Glory be*'; on the large bead is announced the First Mystery and one "Our Father" is said. Then follows the first decade of the Rosary on which is recited ten Hail Marys, followed by one "Glory be." On the next large bead is announced the Second Mystery and one "Our Father" is said as before. HAME ADDRESS Sign of the Cross end Apostles' Creed Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Pray the R osar y for PRIVATE RECITATION FAMILY ROSARY FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS ROSARY NOVENAS By REV. J. M. LELEN, Ph.D. Preface by Rev. Patrick Peyton C.S.C. Catholic Book Publishing Co. New York, N. Y. NIHIL OBSTAT: John M. Fearns, S.T.D. Censor Librorum IMPRIMATUR: t Francis Cardinal Spellman, D.D. Archbishop of New York Feast of the Assumption August 15, 1953 Whatever you ask through the Rosary shall he granted.'* Promise of Our Lady to St. Dominic (T-40) Copyright 1953 Catholic Book Publishing Co., N. Y. United States and Canada Printed and Bound in U.S.A. G^reface I HOPE that this beautiful little book will be your guide to a richer and more intimate understand- ing of the Holy Rosary. Keep it handy in your home and in your pocket or purse, because it is an inspiration to loving meditation on the Mysteries of Our Lord Jesus as you address Our Blessed Lady in petition and thanksgiving. May Jesus and Mary bless all who use it with tender and personal de- votion. Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. THE FAMILY ROSARY The Family That Prays Together . • • Stays Together. HE Family Rosary is the I Rosary recited aloud to- gether, by as many of the family and their friends as can be present, or even by only two. Any family may say the Family Rosary in any suitable place and at any time. The most convenient time is after the evening meal. A leader says aloud the first part of each prayer; a second person or group of persons answers aloud the second part of that prayer. To begin the Family Rosar>% all hold the Crucifix of their Rosary in the right hand and make the Sign of the Cross. The leader begins the x\postles' Creed and proceeds to say the Our Father on the large beads and the Hail Mary on the small beads. The leader announces the Mystery before each decade. Five decades should be recited each day. -6- THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS Mary's Great Promise at Fatima HE Five First Saturdays are intended to honor and to make reparation to the Im- maculate Heart of Mary for all the blasphemies and in- gratitude of men. This devotion and the wonderful promises connected with it were re- vealed by the Blessed Virgin at Fatima, a small village in Portugal. Our Lady appeared to three children there in 1917, and one of the little girls, Lucy, tells us that she said: I promise to help at the hour of death y with the graces needed for salvatioriy whoever on the First Satur- day of five consecutive months shall: 1. Confess and receive Communion; 2. Recite five decades of the Rosary; 3. And keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the inten- tion of making reparation to me. -7- ROSARY NOVENAS aELIGIOUS devotion, public jH or private, for the duration of nine days to gain special graces, is called a Novena. Those who perform it with a lively hope of having their request granted, and with perfect resignation should it be refused, may be assured that Christ will grant some grace or blessing, though in His infinite wisdom and mercy He may refuse the particular favor which they implore. Novenas originated in imitation of the Apostles who were gathered together in prayer for nine days from the time of Our Lord's Ascension to Pentecost Sun- day. However, care must be taken lest the power of any Novena be limited to the number nine rather than persever- ance in fer\'ent prayer. The practice of saying the Rosary nine times in the form of a Rosary Novena in petition or thanksgiving is -8- another way of heeding Our Lady of Fatima's admonition to Pray the Rosary. The 54-Day Novena Devotion which originated in 1884 at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, consists of the daily recitation of five decades of the Rosary for twenty-seven days in petition and five decades for twenty-seven additional days in thanks- giving. In reality you will be making three Novenas in petition for a par- ticular favor and three Novenas in thanksgiving for a particular favor. 1st day say the 5 Joyful Mysteries. 2nd day say the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries. 3rd day say the 5 Glorious Mysteries. 4th day begin again the 5 Joyful Mys- teries, etc. PRAYER BEFORE THE ROSARY QUEEN of the Holy Rosary, you have deigned to come to Fa- tima to reveal to the three shepherd children the treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary. Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion, in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption which are recalled in it, I may be enriched with its fruits and obtain peace for the world, the conversion of sinners and of Russia, and the favor which I ask of you in this Rosary. {Here mention your re- quest.) I ask it for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls, especially for my own. Amen. - 10- ve TJl^steries When reciting the Rosary you may choose to say the five Joyful Mysteries on Mondays, Thursdays, the Sundays of Advent, and Sundays from Epiphany until Lent. -11- The Annunciation - 12- FIRST JOYFUL MYSTERY THE ANNUNCIATION / Desire the Love of Humility Think of . . . The humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gab- riel greeted her with these words: "Hail full of grace/' Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. * "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." * In her second apparition at Fatima, June 13, 1917, Our Lady taught the three shepherd children to add this ejaculation after each decade of the Rosary. -13- The Visitation . 14- SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY THE VISITATION / Desire Charify ioward My Neighbor Tfiifife of . . . Mary's charity in visiting her cousin Elizabeth and remain- ing with her for three months before the birth of John the Baptist. Say , . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -15- The Nativity - 16- THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERY THE NATIVITY / Desire the Love of God Think of . . . The poverty, so lovingly ac- cepted by Mary w^hen she placed the Infant Jesus, our God and Redeemer, in a man- ger in the stable of Bethlehem. Say ♦ ♦ ♦ 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -17- FOURTH JOYFUL MYSTERY THE PRESENTATION / Desire a Spirit of Sacrifice Think of . . . Mary's obedience to the law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple. Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -19- FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY FINDING IN THE TEMPLE / Desire Zeal for fhe Glory of God Think of . . . The deep sorrow with which Mary sought the Child Jesus for three days, and the joy with which she found Him in the midst of the Teachers in the Temple. Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." Hail! Holy Queen, as on page 48. -21 . Prayer After Reciting the Five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary OGOD, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrec- tion, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating upon these mysteries of 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. May the divine assistance re- main always with us. I^^. Amen. V. And may the souls of the faith- ful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. I^. Amen. -.22- I ive Sorrowful TTli/stenes When reciting the Rosary you may choose to say the five Sorrowful Mys- teries on Tuesdays and Fridays, and every day during Lent. -23- FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERY AGONY IN THE GARDEN / Desire True Repentance for My Sins Think of . . . Our Lord Jesus in the Gar- den of Gethsemani, suffering a bitter agony for our sins. Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -25- The Scourging at the Pillar -26- SECOND SORROWFUL MYSTERY SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR / Desire a Spirit of Morfifi cation Think of . . . The cruel scourging at the pillar that our Lord suffered; the heavy blows that tore His flesh. Say ♦ ♦ . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -27- THIRD SORROWFUL MYSTERY CROWNING WITH THORNS / Desire Moral Courage Think of . . ^ The crown of sharp thorns that was forced upon our Lord's sacred Head and the patience with which He en- dured the pain for our sins. Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -29- FOURTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY CARRYING OF THE CROSS / Desire fhe Virtue of Pofience Think of . . . The heavy Cross, so willingly carried by our Lord, and ask Him to help you to carry your crosses without complaint. Say . ♦ . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -31- FIFTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY THE CRUCIFIXION f Desire the Grace of Final Perseverance Think of . . ^ The love which filled Christ's Sacred Heart during His three hours' agony on the Cross, and ask Him to be with you at the hour of death. Say . . ♦ 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." Hail! Holy Queen, as on page 48. -33- Prayer After Reciting the Five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary OGOD, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrec- tion, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating upon these mysteries of 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. y. May the divine assistance re- main always with us. I^^. Amen. V. And may the souls of the faith- ful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. I^^ Amen. ive QL orious TTlysterh 'les When reciting the Rosary you may choose to say the five Glorious Mysteries on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and the Sun- days from Easter until Advent. -35- FIRST GLORIOUS MYSTERY THE RESURRECTION / Desire a Strong Faifh Thirife of . . ♦ Christ's glorious triumph when, on the third day after His death, He arose from the tomb and for forty days ap- peared to His Blessed Mother and to His disciples. Say ♦ ♦ ♦ 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -37- SECOND GLORIOUS MYSTERY THE ASCENSION / Desire the Virtue of Hope Think of . . . The Ascension of Jesus Christ, forty days after His glorious Resurrection, in the presence of Mary and His disciples. Say ♦ . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -39- The Descent of the Holy Ghost -40- THIRD GLORIOUS MYSTERY THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST / Desire Zeal for the Glory of God Think of . . . The descent of the Holy Ghost upon Mary and the Apostles, under the form of tongues of fire, in fulfillment of Christ's promise. Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." .41 - e Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven .42- FOURTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY THE ASSUMPTION / Desire the Grace of a Holy Death Thmfe 0/ ♦ ♦ ♦ The glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, when she was united with her Divine Son, Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." -43. FIFTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY THE CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY / Desire a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary Think of . . . The glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son, to the great joy of all the Saints. Say . . . 1 Our Father. 10 Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father, etc. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy." HaW Holy Queen, as on page 48. -45- Prayer After Reciting the Five Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary OGOD, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrec- tion, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosarv of the Blessed Virgin Mar\% we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. y. May the divine assistance re- main always with us. Amen. y. And may the souls of the faith- ful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. -46- THE PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY The Our Father O UR Father who art in heaven, hal- lowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. The Hail Mary T\ AIL Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. x\men. Glory be tc the Father Q LORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. BELIEVE in God, the Father Al- mighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy The Apostles' Creed -47- Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. The Hail! Holy Queen AIL! Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gra- cious advocate, thine eyes of mercy to- ward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fniit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary! V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. H". That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. .48- ROSARY INDULGENCES a) Those who reverently recite five dec- ades of the Rosary, may gain an indulgence of 5 years. b) Those who reverently recite five dec- ades of the Rosary in unison with others, publicly or privately, may gain an indulgence of 10 years, once a day. A plenary indul- gence on the last Sunday of each month, with the addition of Confession, Communion, and a visit to a church or public oratory, if five decades of the Rosary are recited at least three times in any of the preceding weeKis. In addition, a partial indulgence of 10 years, if the Rosary is recited in unison with the family. A plenary indulgence twice a month, if the same is recited daily for a month with the addition of Confession, Com- munion, and a visit to a church or public oratory. c) Those who reverently recite five dec- ades of the Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, either exposed publicly or reserved in the tabernacle, may gain a plenary indulgence under the conditions of Confession and Communion. (No. 395.) Note: Each decade may be said at different times as long as the chaplet of five decades is completed on the same day. - Additional Rosary Indulgences may be found in Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, Nos. 396, 397, 398. Order by No. 40/05