The Catholic Rosary is one of the most recognized symbols of the religion, and is used by millions of people when it is time to pray. The Rosary consists of certain prayers to be said in a certain order.
First there are the introductory prayers:
One Apostles’ Creed
One Our Father
Three Hail Marys
One Glory Be
These are followed by the “decades.” There are 15 of them in a full rosary, and they consist of ten Hail Marys each, bracketed by an Our Father and a Glory Be. Saying all fifteen decades usually takes about forty-five minutes. The decades are not just something to be said by memory…they are meant to be meditated upon and recognized for the power they hold.
Each decade, or mystery, is devoted to a part of the life of Jesus…the first five are The Joyful, the second five are The Sorrowful, and the third five are The Glorious.
The Joyful Mysteries include:
The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
The Visitation (Luke 1:40-56)
The Nativity (Luke 2:6-20)
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:21-39)
The Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-51)
The Sorrowful Mysteries include:
The Agony in the Garden (Matt. 26:36-46)
The Scourging (Matt. 27:26)
The Crowning with Thorns (Matt. 27:29)
The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
The Crucifixion (Luke 23:33-46)
The Glorious Mysteries include:
The Resurrection (Luke 24:1-12)
The Ascension (Luke 24:50-51)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)
The Assumption of Mary into heaven (Rev. 12)
Mary’s Coronation (cf. Rev. 12:1)
It sounds like quite a bit to keep straight! But with deep reading of the scriptures and an understanding of the Rosary – that it is meant to be meditated, not simply said by rote – will help you settle into the act of praying the Rosary. Traditionally something used by Catholics in prayer, the Rosary is becoming more popular with Protestants who appreciate the scriptural basis for the prayers. If you’re interested in a Rosary of your own, visit your local priest.