The devotion to the Holy Rosary has been treasured in the Church for
many centuries. The Rosary developed as a popular prayer and meditation
between the time of St. Dominic in the 13th Century and Blessed Alan
de la Roche in the 15th Century.
St. Dominic devoted much of his life to preaching against the 'Albigensian'
heresy which demeaned Christ's humanity and the mysteries of his earthly
life, the world and all things bodily, marriage and the other sacraments.
Moved by pity for the many who no longer knew Christ and his Church,
St. Dominic set about winning them back to the faith.
In 1216 St. Dominic obtained approval to establish the Order of Preachers
(also known as the Dominicans). Since the time of St. Dominic the
Pope's theologian has always been a Dominican Father. The great Universities
of Oxford, Paris and Bologna have their origins with the Order of
Preachers.
From early in their history Dominicans promoted the Rosary throughout
Europe and later the missionary lands as a meditation on the principal
mysteries of the faith and a method of prayer for ordinary people.
St. Pius V, the great Dominican pope who led the reform of the Church
after the Council of Trent, settled the form of the Rosary as we know
it.
One of the greatest gifts given to the Church by the Dominicans is
the Rosary of Our Lady and the Rosary Confraternity. Pope Paul VI
recognised this when he said that among those who promote the Rosary
"special mention should be made of the sons of St. Dominic, by tradition
the guardians and promoters of this very salutary practice." This
booklet briefly describes the benefits of the Rosary and how those
benefits are multiplied by joining the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary.
2. THE ROSARY
Why pray the Rosary today? The following are a few reasons why:
"Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been so favoured
by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary" (Pope
Pius IX).
"Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world" (Our Lady
of Fatima).
"There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the
family . . . than the daily recitation of the Rosary" (Pope Pius XII).
"We do not hesitate to affirm again publicly that we put great confidence
in the Holy Rosary for the healing of evils of our times" (Pope Pius
XII).
"No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary:
either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary" (Bishop
Hugh Doyle).
"The Rosary is a magnificent and universal prayer for the needs of
the Church, the nations and the entire world" (Pope John XXIII).
"The Rosary is the compendium of the entire Gospel" (Pope Paul VI
approving a quote from Pope Pius XII).
"Meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary . . . can be an excellent
preparation for the celebration of those same mysteries in the liturgical
actions [i.e. the Mass] and can also become a continuing echo thereof"
(Pope Paul VI).
"My impression is that the Rosary is of the greatest value not only
according to the words of Our Lady at Fatima, but according to the
effects of the Rosary one sees throughout history. My impression is
that Our Lady wanted to give ordinary people, who might not know how
to pray, this simple method of getting closer to God" (Sister Lucia,
one of the seers of Fatima).
"How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening"
(Pope John Paul II).
Pope John Paul II has called the Rosary his "favourite prayer," after
the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.
St. Louis de Montfort warns us against both the ignorant and scholars
who regard the Rosary as something of little importance..."the Rosary
is a priceless treasure inspired by God."
Why is the Rosary so effective? Because it is a simple, humble prayer
and forms those who pray the Rosary spiritually in humility, gentleness
and simplicity of heart.
Chapter 4 explains the method of reciting the Rosary including a small
meditation on each of the fifteen mysteries. Chapter 5 contains the
promises of Our Lady to those who devoutly recite the Rosary.
3. CONFRATERNITY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
Origins of the Confraternity
The origin of the Confraternity, like the beginning of many great
works, is shrouded in obscurity. No definite date can be given to
the birth of the Confraternity. It is thought that, like the Rosary,
it owes its foundation to St. Dominic. Pope Leo XIII voices this tradition
when he says: "Its origin is distinguished by its antiquity, for St.
Dominic himself is said to have been its founder." Certainly the Dominican
Friar Blessed Alan de la Roche promoted these confraternities when
he went from place to place preaching popular missions in the 15th
Century.
Remember also that the Rosary Confraternity is the Confraternity officially
appointed by the Church for the promotion of the Rosary.
Privileges of Membership
The Confraternity of the Holy Rosary offers its members the following
immense advantages:
1. The special protection of the Mother of God (Pope Leo XIII in L�titi�
Sanct�, 8 September 1893).
2. Participation during life, at the hour of death and after death
in all the good works of the members of the Confraternity.
3. A share in the Masses, Divine Offices and good works of the Fathers,
Brothers, Contemplative Nuns, Sisters and Laity of the whole Dominican
Order. This includes all the good works of all the saints and beati
of the Order: martyrs, pastors, doctors and holy men and women over
400 in number, including St. Dominic, St. Albert the Great, St. Thomas
Aquinas, St. Martin de Porres, the Vietnamese Martyrs, St. Rose of
Lima and St. Catherine of Siena. This sharing continues after death.
4. An immense treasure of indulgences which are applicable to the
souls in Purgatory. The Rosary is the "Queen of indulgenced devotions,"
and the Confraternity is the most indulgenced pious association of
the faithful. This is what led St. Alphonsus to say: "After Holy Mass
the best means of relieving the souls in Purgatory is to join the
Confraternity."
Subject to the Church's rules concerning indulgences (see Chapter
6) plenary indulgences are available to members on the day of enrolment,
Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, the Assumption, Our Lady of the Rosary,
the Immaculate Conception. A plenary indulgence is also available
daily, on the usual conditions, to those members who recite five decades
of the Rosary at once.
Remember the full benefits of the Rosary are only available to those
enrolled in the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. Such a small effort
for so many benefits!
How Membership Multiplies the Benefits of the Holy Rosary
Popes have described the Rosary Confraternity as the leading pious
association of Catholics and have exhorted the members of the Church
to encourage the growth of this association diligently and strenuously.
They have granted its members many privileges and blessings down through
the centuries.
Pope Leo XIII was a great enthusiast for the Rosary Confraternity.
He pointed out that it multiplies the value of the Rosary because
it involves praying the Rosary in a way which is: (i) public; (ii)
communal; (iii) constant; and (iv) unanimous.
Rosarians, members of the Confraternity,often pray this prayer together
and in public; but even when alone they pray the Rosary officially,
on behalf of the Church, as members of a public association of Christ's
faithful. There is always a fellow Rosarian somewhere in the world
praying the Rosary and, wherever they are, Rosarians are praying as
of one heart and mind "like a single chorus of supplication" (cf.
Acts 1:14).
As a public association in the Church, a Rosarian's prayer has that
special quality characteristic of Christian prayer, described by St.
Cyprian: "Our prayer is public and in common; and when we pray, we
pray not for one, but for the whole people, for we, the entire people,
are one" (On the Lord's Prayer). Historically the Church has often
prayed this prayer publicly at times of need, such as at the time
of the Battle of Lepanto (7th October 1571) when St. Pius V called
on all Christian people to pray that Christianity be saved from the
onslaught of the Moslems. This is celebrated even today as the Feast
of Our Lady of Victories or Our Lady of the Rosary.
Pope Leo XIII seems to have had in mind the value of human beings,
who are social by nature, and Christians, who are communal by baptism
and by spirituality, joining together when they pray. Older readers
will remember a time when fraternities were like Christian trade unions,
but with a different object. There were many of them around: the Holy
Name Society, the Children of Mary, the Rosary Confraternity, and
so on, each with its own particular �charism�, a God-given inspiration
confirmed by the Church. In the case of the Rosary Confraternity the
object is praying the Rosary for one's own needs, those of the other
members, and those of all God's people. It is a �prayer club� or �prayer
group�.
But more than just a club for people with a common interest, the Rosary
Confraternity has a mission, a special �office�, ministry or work
for the Church. That is why until modern times popes were inclined
to talk of Rosarians in almost military terms. They were, the army
of prayer, conscripted by St. Dominic, marching under the banner of
the Mother of God, united as comrades, the enemies of evil both within
and without" (Pope Leo XIII in L�titi� Sanct� and Augustissim� Virginis
Mari� ).
Put simply, once you enrol in the Confraternity it is no longer a
matter of just saying the Rosary. A Rosarian has an official standing
and has a new right to be heard! Our Lady asked St. Dominic not just
to get people to say the Rosary, but to come together in a united
prayer, and the prayers of Rosarians have this quality.
But isn't all this focus on the Rosary unbalanced?
Sometimes Rosarians are accused of having an unbalanced devotion to
Mary and the Rosary rather than to God and the sacraments. No doubt
this has been true at some times and places, or for some individuals.
But to accuse the average Rosarian of this is most unjust. Far from
being a substitute for the Liturgy of the Church it is often used
as a preparation or thanksgiving before or after Mass or Confession
or the Anointing of the Sick or Funerals. Furthermore the very structure
of the Rosary focuses on the Blessed Trinity and Christ in particular.
In the Rosary we profess our faith (in the Creed), we praise the Blessed
Trinity (especially in the Glory Be), we pray to God the Father in
the words our Saviour gave us (the Our Father), we meditate on the
mysteries of Christ's incarnation, passion and glorification, and
we pray with and through the Mother of God (in the Hail Mary). The
Hail Mary, far from replacing prayer directly to God, recalls God's
grace and blessings, God's incarnation ("Blessed is the fruit of your
womb, Jesus"). We ask Our Lady to intercede for us, to pray with us,
on our team as it were, as we call upon her Son Jesus Christ,like
those at Cana,hoping that Mary will intercede on our behalf before
the fruit of her womb.
Intercessory prayer like this derives from the strong Christian sense
of �the communion of saints�, the solidarity of all God's people,
the sense that �we are all in this together�. Just as we pray for
the needs of our friends and relatives, and the needs of the world,
so we hope that others will pray for us,whether they are our friends
and relatives, other members of our Rosary Confraternity, or our �friends
and relatives� in heaven, including Mary our Mother and the other
saints.
Meditation like this invites the person praying to enter more deeply
into the mystery upon which he or she is meditating, and thereby invites
a conversion of heart and mind. Thus St. Pius V praised the Rosary
Confraternity for transforming people from heresy and sin into children
of light (Consueverunt Romani Pontifices, 17 September 1569).
Duties of Members
1. To say at least one complete Rosary of fifteen mysteries each week.
This promise does not bind under the pain of sin. The fifteen decades
may be said alone or with others, with or without Rosary beads. The
fifteen decades may be spread over the week; for example, two decades
each weekday and three on Saturday and Sunday. Of course five decades
each day is preferable and is encouraged.
2. To include in this Rosary the intentions of fellow members throughout
the world.
3. To have one's name inscribed on the Register of a Confraternity.
How to join the Confraternity
You are invited to join the Confraternity by sending your baptismal
name and family name (not initials) with your address. If you are
already enrolled elsewhere you are enrolled for life. There is no
charge for enrolment. If desired a small offering may be made to promote
the Rosary Crusade. Chapter 7 contains the address of Registers in
which you can enrol. Enrol in only one Register. On the last page
there is an Application Form.
What the Saints and Popes say about the Confraternity
St. Charles Borromeo esteemed the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary
so highly that he ordered it to be erected in all parishes of his
large Archdiocese of Milan.
St. Alphonsus de Liguori wrote on the usefulness of the Confraternity:
"In the many missions I have preached, I have come to the conclusion
that there are more sins in one single person who does not belong
to the Confraternity of Mary than in twenty that do!"
The Cur� of Ars said: "If anyone has the happiness of being in the
Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, they have, in all corners of the
globe, brethren who pray for them." He added: "For a member of the
Confraternity of the Holy Rosary to succeed in losing their soul,
they would have to do as much violence to themselves as the other
faithful do to save their souls, so abundant are the graces of this
Confraternity."
Pope Innocent VIII called it "a most devout Confraternity" (Splendor
Patern� Glori�, 26 February 1491).
Pope Leo XIII insisted very much on the Confraternity of the Holy
Rosary, especially in the encyclicals L�titi� Sanct� of 1893 and Augustissim�
Virginis Mari� of 1897. Among the different associations," he wrote
in Augustissim� Virginis Mari�, we do not hesitate to give the place
of honour to the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary." After explaining
how the Confraternity multiplies the benefits of the Rosary, he appealed
to priests: "You ought to apply yourselves with the greatest zeal
to founding, developing and directing these Confraternities of the
Holy Rosary. This appeal is not only addressed to the sons of St.
Dominic, for whom this is an important duty of their state, but to
all priests who have the care of souls. It is also our earnest desire
that missionaries, those who take the Gospel to pagan lands and those
who preach in Christian countries, give themselves with equal zeal
to this activity." These appeals are still applicable today.
4. HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY
1. Make the sign of the Cross and say the Apostles' Creed
2. Say one Our Father
3. Say three Hail Marys
4. Say the Glory be to the Father
5. For each decade announce the Mystery, and say one Our Father
6. Say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery
7. At the conclusion of the decade say one Glory be to the Father
and the O My Jesus . . .
8. At the completion of each five decades say the Hail Holy Queen
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed
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 to the dead. The
third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and
is seated 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
Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness
of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Our Father (Lord's Prayer)
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.
The Hail Mary (Ave)
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.
Glory be to the Father
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.
O my Jesus
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, and
bring all souls to heaven, especially those who most need thy mercy.
Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy, hail, 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 vale of
tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards
us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy
womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
The Five Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation: The Archangel Gabriel announces to Our Lady that
she will conceive the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and so become the Mother of God. Mary accepts, declaring herself to
be the handmaid of the Lord. God becomes man-a tiny unborn child.
See Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38.
2. The Visitation: Mary hastens to visit and assist Elizabeth. Inspired
by God, Elizabeth greets Mary for the first time as the Mother of
God. John the Baptist leaps for joy in the womb of his mother, sanctified
by the grace of the Divine Redeemer. See Luke 1:39-56.
3. The Nativity (Birth of Jesus): Jesus, born in the stable at Bethlehem,
is laid in a manger amidst the most squalid poverty. The baby Jesus
is worshipped by the shepherds and the three Wise Men. Choirs of Angels
sing "Glory to God in the highest." See Matt. 2:1-18; Luke 2:1-20.
4. The Presentation: Mary presents Jesus in the Temple and fulfils
what was prescribed for her purification. The elderly Simeon warns
her: "a sword of sorrow shall pierce your heart", but calls Jesus
the Saviour of all nations. See Luke 2:22-40.
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple: The Boy Jesus remains
three days among the learned men in the temple listening to them and
asking them questions. He impresses them all with his wisdom and insight
and reminds Mary and Joseph that he must be about his heavenly Father's
business. See Luke 2:41-52.
The Five Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden: In Gethsemane Jesus sweats blood and prays
with humility, confidence and perseverance. He asks his disciples
to watch and pray with him, but they fall asleep until his betrayal
by Judas and arrest. See Matt 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-44.
2. The Scourging at the Pillar: Despite finding Christ innocent of
any wrongdoing, Pilate orders Jesus to be bound and cruelly scourged.
See Mark 15:1-15.
3. The Crowning with Thorns: Jesus is humiliated by being stripped,
dressed in purple robes, and crowned with thorns. Jesus is then mocked
as King of the Jews and struck cruelly. See Matt. 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20.
4. The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus, unjustly condemned to death,
carries the heavy cross to Calvary. Despite the pain he comforts the
women of Jerusalem: "Do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves
and your children." See Mark 15:21-22; Luke 23:26-32.
5. The Crucifixion: Jesus is crucified, suffers for three hours and
dies in order to save us. Before he dies he intercedes for sinners
"for they know not what they are doing" and gives his mother to the
Church as mother of all Christians. Let us love the holy Mass, which
is the renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary. See Matt. 27:35-54; Mark
15:23-39; Luke 23:33-46.
The Five Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection: Jesus Christ rises gloriously from the dead.
He appears to his mother, to Mary Magdalene and the other women, and
to his disciples. See Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-14; Luke 24:1-43.
2. The Ascension: Jesus confers power on the Apostles to forgive sins
and commands them to go and teach all nations. Remember "I am with
you always, even to the end of the world". Jesus then ascends into
Heaven in glory and triumph. See Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke
24:50-53; Acts 1:6-11.
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost): The Holy Spirit descends
upon the Apostles to enlighten, comfort and sanctify. Immediately
they are filled with the Holy Spirit: their hearts burn with love
of God and zeal for souls. St. Peter's preaching immediately produces
the first converts. See Acts 2.
4. The Assumption: Our Lady is assumed body and soul into Heaven as
a sign and pledge that we will all be raised one day also. God would
not leave Her body, immaculately conceived, to corrupt but brought
her immediately to His side. See Rev. 12.
5. The Coronation (Crowning of the Blessed Virgin as Queen of Heaven
and Earth): The Father takes Mary the "perfect disciple", seats her
at the right hand of her Son and crowns her Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Mary, as a good Mother, immediately begins her office of intercession
and blessing which she continues today. See Judith 15:10-11; Luke
1:46-55.
Days on which the mysteries are recited (suggestion only).
Monday & Thursday The Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday & Friday The Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday & Saturday The Glorious Mysteries
Sundays in Advent, the Joyful Mysteries; in Lent, the Sorrowful Mysteries;
at other times of the year, the Glorious Mysteries.
5. OUR LADY'S PROMISES TO THOSE WHO RECITE THE ROSARY
In visions granted to several saints and holy people over the centuries,
Our Lady has made many promises to those who pray the Rosary. These
have included:
1. The graces of conversion, wisdom and humility;
2. A love for heavenly things, and the practice of virtue and good
works;
3. The forgiveness of sin and abundant mercy for the souls in purgatory;
4. Good fortune in this life, assistance in times of need, consolation
in times of distress, and a good death;
5. Our Lady's special protection from temptations and sin, and her
intercession in life and death; and
6. Eternal happiness with the Holy Trinity, Our Lady, the angels and
saints in heaven.
6. INDULGENCES
An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to sin
already forgiven as far as guilt is concerned. An indulgence is partial
or plenary as it frees us in part (partial) or entirely (plenary)
from the temporal punishment due to sin in this life or the life to
come in purgatory. Indulgences may be applied to the departed. To
gain a plenary indulgence, it is necessary to perform the work to
which the indulgence is attached, to be free from all attachment to
sin and to fulfil three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic
communion and prayers for the Pope's intentions (One Our Father and
Hail Mary suffice). The three conditions must be fulfilled within
a few days before or after the prescribed work; nevertheless communion
and the prayer for the Pope's intentions should be said on the same
day.
*Include your full baptismal name and family name (not initials).
#Please print in block letters.
LIST OF REGISTERS
Argentina
Parroquia de San
Agustin
Calle Florencio
Sanchez 733
3100 Parana
Australia
Holy Rosary Centre
GPO Box 417
Canberra
ACT 2601
India
St. Dominic's Church
Al Poorvi Marg.
Vasant Vehar
New Delhi
Italy
Collegio San Clemente
Via Labicana 95
00184 Roma
Ireland
National Director
The Rosary Apostolate
Tallaght
Dublin 24
Portugal
Travessa do Corpo
Santa 32
1200 Lisbon
Trinidad and Tobago
St. Finbar's
Morne Coco Road
Four Roads
Diego Martin
USA
National Director
Rosary Confraternity
141 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10021
AUTHOR MICHAEL G HAINS
SYSOP CATHOLICS' RESOURCE NETWORK
COMPUSERVE ID 76711,1340
COPYRIGHT 1993
NOT TO REPRODUCED IN HARDCOPY FORM. IF A HARDCOPY IS REQUIRED
THEY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE AUTHOR.
