Q: Why pray to Mary when we
can go directly to God?
A: Think of how often you ask
your friends to add their prayers to yours. Mary is a friend you have
in Heaven. She is closer to God than anyone else, because when she was
conceived in her mother's womb, God created her to be full of grace so
that Jesus could live in her womb years later (God cannot dwell
where sin dwells). This is called Mary's Immaculate Conception.
Therefore, while enlisting the prayers of your sinful friends here on
earth, why not also ask for the prayer support of one who is closer to
God than any other human being?
Q: Why say the same words
over and over again? Isn't this babbling?
A: It can be babbling, but it
doesn't have to be. Repeated words make it easier to meditate
meaningfully; we can focus on the mysteries of God's Kingdom while
also being aware of the words we're using to connect with that
Kingdom. We can use the time to learn from the mysteries or we can
allow our minds to wander and see where God leads us.
Q: What are the mysteries of
the Rosary?
A: There are three sets of
mysteries. The first (the Joyful Mysteries) draw our attention to the
beginning of Christ's life on earth. The second (the Sorrowful
Mysteries) help us realize the immense passionate love Jesus had for
us as He suffered and died to heal us and set us free from sin. The
third (the Glorious Mysteries) teach us about the resurrection power
of the Christian life. In each set, there are five mysteries or
lessons for learning about the Kingdom of God, so that we may be
inspired to receive more of God's love and open ourselves more fully
to His miracle power.
Q: Why ten Hail Marys for
each mystery? Why five mysteries for each Rosary?
A: The numbers come from the
book of Psalms. There are 150 Psalms, and we pray 150 Hail Marys (ten
for each mystery, times five mysteries, times three sets of
mysteries).
Q: Must we do the prayers
exactly the way they are written?
A: No. God is not a legalist.
The Rosary is not a magic formula. God answers our prayers because He
loves us and the people for whom we are praying, and because what we
ask for is good and in line with His promises in Scripture, not
because we do a Rosary. If you want to add some of your own, extra
prayers to the Rosary, let yourself be moved by the Holy Spirit and
add those prayers!
BEGIN YOUR ROSARY HERE:
I offer up this Rosary for __________;
I do this with full confidence in God's wisdom and unconditional love,
because:
I believe
in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the
Father almighty.
From thence He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.
 |
Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed 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. |
For
the gift of Faith from the Holy Spirit:
Hail 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. Amen.
For
the gift of Hope from Jesus Christ:
Hail Mary, full of grace...
For
the gift of Love from God the Father:
Hail Mary, full of grace...
 |
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! |
