The Rosary calls to mind the most
important events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. The Holy Rosary
consists in reciting, in honor of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of
God, 150 Hail Mary's which are divided into 15 decades (or mysteries),
each one beginning with an Our Father, and after 10 Hail Mary's,
finishing with the Glory Be to The Father.
Moreover, we must meditate at
each decade, and in succession, on one of the principal mysteries of the life of
our Lord Jesus Christ and that of His Mother. Meditation on the mysteries is the
most important part of the rosary. Put yourself in the place of Jesus or Mary
and live the mysteries with them.
The third part of the
Rosary (or 5 decades) forms the Chaplet or Beads. An indulgence can be
gained by saying the Rosary devoutly.
In an apostolic letter,
Rosarium Virginis Mariae ("The Rosary of the Virgin
Mary"), Pope John Paul II stated "the Rosary should be especially
emphasized and promoted". He also added the "Luminous Mysteries" or "the Mysteries of
Light, a dramatic adaptation of a traditional prayer that has been
unchanged for centuries, in addition to the joyful, sorrowful, and
glorious mysteries.
Pope John Paul II had suggested the
following schedule:
Sunday: Glorious
Monday: Joyful
Tuesday: Sorrowful
Wednesday: Glorious
Thursday: Luminous
Friday: Sorrowful
Saturday: Joyful
