Rosary Meditations
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       THE ROSARY: PEACE PRAYER

  It was to three young children, less than 100 years ago that Our Blessed Lord revealed through his mother a profound message for modern times.  As Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta tended their sheep that Spring day in l9l7, they looked up and saw a beautiful woman clothed in the sun, sent by God.  She told them, "Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world, and the end of the war."  She asked them to return on the l3th of each month for five months and promised a sign in her final appearance.

  The children responded faithfully to her request, and on October 13, l9l7, in a field near the little town of Fatima, Portugal, 70,000 people stood by as the sun lost its brilliance, changed color, rotated like a fire-wheel and plunged toward the earth.  This was the dramatic climax of the six Fatima apparitions, the message of which was plain:  "Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world....  I come to ask the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the communion of reparation on the first Saturdays.  If they listen to my requests Russia will be converted and there will be peace.  If not she will scatter her errors through the world, provoking wars and persecutions of the Church.  The good will be martyrized, the Holy Father will suffer much, various nations will be annihilated."

  What was the situation in Russia in 1917?  It was in ruins.  The imperial czar had abdicated in disgrace; the government was split by factions and civil war; her cities were set aflame by riotous mobs; the Russian army was falling apart, deserting before the invasion of the Kaiser, and the people were starving by the thousands.  And yet, Mary made her prediction.

  Has Mary's prediction come true? Since 1917, 64 formerly free nations have fallen behind the Iron and Bamboo Curtains of Communistic Russia and China.  60% of our world is now under the yoke of Marxist Communism.  Since 1917 the communists have been behind over 250 wars and revolutions throughout the world.  The evidence is strong.

  During his term as head of Russia from 1917 to 1924, Vladimir Lenin predicted that the last capitalistic state to fall to Communism would be the United States.  He stated that the Russians would not have to fire one shot because they would so corrupt America from within by drugs and sexual perversion that America would no longer have the will to resist.  The U.S. would fall into their hands like a ripe pear, he said.

  Only one country was ever able to make it out from under Communism.  That country was Austria.  Following World War II, the Red Army invaded Austria and most observers believed this would bring about the end of that country's freedom.  However, a rosary crusade was mounted in that country and over a tenth of the population signed a pledge to pray the rosary daily.  On May 13, 1955 the Soviet troops were withdrawn from Austria, much to the surprise of the free world.  But, Therese Neumann, the stigmatist, was not surprised.  She stated simply, "It was the rosaries..."

  The Rosary:  A meditation on the unfolding mystery of Jesus Christ in the world.  A veneration of Mary, centered, as is all  Marian devotion, on her Son, Jesus.  Through it we deepen our awareness of the meaning of her Son's life, death, resurrection and ascension.  Not until enough people turn to daily meditation on these mysteries will there be peace in the world.

  Do you want peace?

WORLD'S MOST PRACTICAL PRAYER

The Rosary is most practical because:

- It is meditation, one of the highest forms of prayer.

- It is based on Sacred Scripture.  Each mystery can be found either literally or figuratively, in Scripture.

- It can be prayed using Sacred Scripture as a guide. Once the meditations are learned, it can be said anywhere,       anytime, from memory.

- It is one of the few meditative prayers that can be said in community.

- The Rosary beads are a psychological aid to concentration.

- A ring rosary can be used while driving or for discretion.

- It can be said in three minute segments:  Each decade takes less than three minutes to say.  This makes it ideal for introducing it to young children--or busy adults!--who may find it too much to pray five mysteries every day.  One or two mysteries a day makes a nice introduction.

- Parents can use pictures and tell the story to the children before and/or after praying, thus making prayer more interesting and providing a learning experience as well. Children are often delighted with the stories of the mysteries and eager to learn more.

- It contains the essential mysteries of our faith and thus leads into the Mass, the "source and summit of the Christian life."

- It includes the Apostles' Creed, the statement of our faith.

- It includes the Our Father, the "perfect prayer" which Christ gave us. 

- It includes 15 different mysteries, thus providing variety.

- It lends itself to increasing one's meditative powers and minimizing the universal problem of daydreaming while praying (a problem even the saints had), by a technique which might be called "retracing". This involves making a commitment to meditate on at least three or four beads (Hail Marys) per decade.  After completing a decade in private meditation and finding that you have not meditated for at least that minimum commitment due to mental wanderings, you would retrace the number of beads necessary to complete your commitment.  This not only allows you to perfect your prayer offering to God, but it will also discipline your mind to meditate well, knowing you are committed to keep retracing the prayers until you complete your minimum.

- It lends itself to different methods of meditation: First, you can meditate on the event, using Sacred Scripture or the meditations which follow herein in Part I. Second, you might reflect on one or two aspects of the event, as exemplified by the short reflections found in Part II. Third, you might simply think of a one or two word summary theme of the event and allow God to lift your heart and mind to him through this theme. Some examples of these are found in Part III.

PLENARY INDULGENCE

  According to the revised regulations issued by the Holy See in 1968, a plenary indulgence may be obtained by recitation of the Rosary with the following conditions:

  1. Sacramental confession (within one week).

  2. Eucharistic communion (same day).

  3. Prayer for the intention of the Pope (usually at least one Our Father and one Glory Be).

  4. The Rosary must be said in Church or public oratory, in the family, in a religious community, or in a pious association.  Five decades must be said continuously, without interruption.  There must be devout meditation on the mysteries. In public meditation the mysteries must be announced according to approved custom.  In private meditation this is not required.

  In addition to these conditions, it is required that all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent. This, of course, is the most difficult condition.

HOW TO SAY THE ROSARY

  1. Make the Sign of the Cross, kiss the cross, and say the Apostles' Creed.

  2. Say the Our Father, then three "Hail Marys" and a "Glory Be."

  3. Announce the first mystery (for example, "The Agony in the Garden").

  4. Say the Our Father, ten "Hail Marys," and a "Glory Be" WHILE MEDITATING ON THE MYSTERY.

  5. Say the "Fatima prayer," "O my Jesus..." (see below).

  6. Repeat #'s 4 and 5 above for the second through the fifth mystery. (If you are saying all 15 mysteries, simply continue the first through the 15th mystery as in #'s 4 and 5.)

  7. After the five (or fifteen) mysteries are completed, say the "Hail Holy Queen" followed by the closing prayer (given below) and any other special additions.

 
  Prayers of the Rosary

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 into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sits 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

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.

THE HAIL MARY

HAIL, MARY, full of grace; the Lord is with you blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

GLORY BE

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.

FATIMA ASPIRATION

(At the close of each decade)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of Your mercy!

THE HAIL, HOLY QUEEN Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee so we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears.Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

  V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

  R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

CLOSING PRAYER

(Usually said after the Hail Holy Queen)

LET US PRAY.  O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that meditating upon these mysteries in 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.


Part I

MEDITATIONS

  The attached meditations are meant as an aid in contemplating the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.  They should be read while saying the Hail Mary's and other prayers, not before or after (to avoid 30 minute Rosaries).  The first meditation of each mystery is a summary of the mystery and should be read during the Our Father.  This is followed by a meditation for each of the ten Hail Mary's and finally, a meditation for the Glory Be.

  It should be kept in mind that the fifty Hail Mary's of the Rosary are not to be prayed as one would ordinarily pray Hail Mary's, i.e., thinking of the words as they are said.  These Hail Mary's are primarily for the purpose of measuring the time during which one meditates on each mystery.

  If a person has great difficulty in meditating on the mysteries while saying the prayers, rather than forego the mysteries it would be better to omit the prayers for a time and simply meditate on each mystery for two or three minutes.  At some later time, when more familiar with the mysteries, one may add back in the gentle background music of the Hail Marys.

SOURCES

  The primary source for these meditations is Sacred Scripture.  In those mysteries for which Scripture provides few details (for example, the scourging), the visions of four mystics were used to augment scriptural data.  Each meditation is preceded by a letter indicating the source upon which it is based, according to the following code:

     S - Sacred Scripture

     A - Ann Catherine Emmerich

     B - St. Bridget of Sweden

     M - Mary of Agreda

     T - Therese Neumann

    The scripturally based meditations have been put in the present tense to facilitate placing oneself in the mystery as a here and now event.  The New American Bible and Jerusalem Bible as well as the Greek New Testament were used as scriptural sources.

     With regard to the private revelations which served as the basis for some of the non-scriptural meditations, the following words of Cardinal Lambertini (later Pope Benedict XIV) could be applied: "Though an assent of Catholic faith be not due them [private revelations], they deserve a human assent according to the rules of prudence, by which they are probable and piously credible, as the revelations of Blessed Hildegardis, St. Bridget and St. Catherine of Siena."  They do not pretend to be history, and in some cases are simply pious meditations.


First Joyful: THE ANNUNCIATION

(Luke 1:26-38; John 1:14; Mt. 1:20-23)

  Gabriel greets Mary: "Hail full of grace..." He tells her she is to bear a son and name him Jesus.  Mary asks how this is possible since she is a virgin.  Gabriel explains she will conceive by the Holy Spirit.  Mary agrees, and the Word becomes flesh.

  1. (S)  It came to pass that the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph of the House of David.

  2. (S)  Gabriel enters and says to Mary, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you."  She is deeply distressed by this and asks herself what it could mean.

  3. (S)  But the angel says, "Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor.  You are to conceive and bear a son and you must name him Jesus."

  4. (S)  Gabriel continues his annunciation,  "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

  5. (S)  "He will rule over the house of Jacob forever; and his reign will have no end."  Mary replies to Gabriel,  "But how can this come about, since I am a Virgin?

  6. (S)  "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,"  he answers, "and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow.  And so the child will be called holy and called Son of God."

  7. (S)  "Know this too:  your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month...

  8. (S)  "For nothing is impossible to God."  Mary responds,  "I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."  And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

  9. (S)  An angel later appears to Joseph in a dream and says, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife for she has conceived by the Holy Spirit."

  l0. (S)  The angel continues, "She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.*"

  (S)  All of this was to fulfill the words of the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel.**"

  * "Jesus" means "Yahweh saves." 

**"Emmanuel means "God with us." 

                    
Second Joyful:  THE VISITATION

(Luke 1:39-58)

  After the annunciation, Mary immediately sets out to visit and assist her cousin Elizabeth.  Elizabeth greets her, calling her "blessed among women," and Mary replies with the Magnificat.  She stays three months, and then returns home.

  1. (S)  Mary sets out and goes as quickly as she can to a town in the hill country of Judah.  She goes into Zechariah's house and greets Elizabeth.

  2. (S)  Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and cries out, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  Why is it granted that the mother of my Lord should visit me?

  3. (S)  "For, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that the Lord's word to her would be fulfilled."

  4. (S)  Mary says, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.  For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant."              

  5. (S)  "From this day all generations will call me blessed.  The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.  He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation."

  6. (S)  Mary continues her Magnificat, "He has shown the strength of his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit.  He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly."

  7. (S)  "He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.  He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy...."

  8. (S)  "...The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.  (M) Elizabeth responds, "May God save you and may he communicate grace and life to you."

  9. (M, A)  Mary serves and assists Elizabeth as a handmaid, taking part in all her household work, for this was her purpose in coming to visit her.

  10. (S)  After having stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, Mary returns home to Nazareth.  When Elizabeth's time arrives, she gives birth to a son.

  (S)  Elizabeth's neighbors and relatives, hearing that the Lord has so extended his mercy, rejoice with her.

  * A distance of about 70 miles of dangerous travel.


Third Joyful:  THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD

(Luke 2:1-20; Mt. 2:1-12)

  Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem for the census. While there, Mary gives birth to Our Lord and lays him in a manger for there is no room at the inn.  The shepherds and astrologers come to pay homage to their Savior.

  1. (S)  Caesar Augustus has issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken, so Joseph sets out from Nazareth in Galilee to be registered with Mary, his betrothed.

  2. (S)  Mary, who is with child, and Joseph travel up to Judea to the town of David called Bethlehem, since Joseph is of David's house and line.

  3. (S)  While there, Mary gives birth to a son.  She wraps him in swaddling clothes and lays him in a manger*, for there is no room for them at the inn.

  4. (S)  In the countryside close by, there are shepherds who live in the fields and take turns watching their flocks during the night.

  5. (S)  The angel of the Lord appears to them and the glory of the Lord shines round them.  They are terrified, but the angel says, "Do not be afraid."   

  6. (S)  "Listen," continues the angel, "I bring you news of great joy.  Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you.  He is Christ the Lord."

  7. (S)  Suddenly with the angel there is a great throng of the heavenly host singing: "Glory to God in highest heaven and peace to men who enjoy his favor."

  8. (S)  When the angels leave, the shepherds hurry away and find Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus.  When they see the child they repeat what they have heard, and all are astonished.

  9. (S)  After the birth of the savior, astrologers come from the east to Jerusalem asking, "Where is the king of the Jews?  We saw his star rise and have come to do him homage."

  10. (S)  Herod directs them to Bethlehem where they find the child with his mother, Mary.  Falling to their knees, they pay him homage and offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

  (S)  They are warned in a dream not to go back to Herod as he requested, and they return to their own country by a different way.              

  * A manger is a kind of box or trough for feeding animals.


Fourth Joyful:  THE PRESENTATION

(Luke 2:22-39)

  On the proper day, Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the temple as the Law prescribes.  Simeon cries out for joy at seeing the Savior and predicts Mary's sorrow.  Anna, too, rejoices at seeing Jesus.

  1. (S)  When the day comes for them to be purified* as laid down by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary take Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

  2. (S)  They observe what stands written in the Law of the Lord: "Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord."  They offer in sacrifice two turtledoves.

  3. (S)  Now, in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon.  He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

  4. (S)  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Messiah of the Lord.  Prompted by the Spirit, he comes to the temple.

  5. (S)  When the parents bring in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law requires, Simeon takes him in his arms and blesses God, and he says:

  6. (S)  "Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people..."

  7. (S)  "...a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel." The child's father and mother stand there wondering at the things being said about him. 

  8. (S)  Simeon blesses the parents of Jesus and then says to Mary, "You see this child; he is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel."

  9. (S)  "He is destined to be a sign that is rejected--a sword will pierce your own heart too--so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare."

  10. (S)  The prophetess Anna, a widow, comes by just at that moment and begins to praise God; and she speaks of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

  (S)  Having done everything the Law required, they return to Nazareth.  The child Jesus grows up and is filled with wisdom and God's grace.

  *Only Mary was purified; the child was "redeemed" (Lv 12:2-6)


Fifth Joyful:  THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE

(Luke 2:41-52)

  Returning from the Passover feast in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph discover Jesus has stayed behind.  After three days of searching they find him among the teachers in the temple, attending to his "Father's affairs."      

  1. (S)  Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.  When he is twelve years old they go up for the feast as usual.

  2. (S)  When they are on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it; they assume he is with the caravan.*

  3. (S)  It is only after a day's journey that they go back to seek him among their relatives and friends.  Failing to find him, they return to Jerusalem looking for him.

  4. (M)  They are overcome with self-reproach as they frantically search for their son.  Mary is unable to sleep or eat anything during this three day ordeal.

  5. (S) On the third day they find him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  All are astounded at his intelligence and his replies.

  6. (M)  The rabbis had been debating the question of the Messiah: Had he already come?  Would he be an earthly king or a suffering servant?  How to reconcile the two prophecies? 

  7. (M)  Jesus had gently offered:  "Could it not be that the Messiah will come twice, once to redeem the world, and once again to judge it?"  Then his parents had entered.

  8. (S)  They are overcome when they see him, and his mother says to him, "My child, why have you done this to us?  See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you?"

  9. (S)  "Why were you looking for me?" he answers.  "Did you not know I had to be in my Father's house?"  But they do not understand what he means.

  10. (S)  He goes down with them then and returns to Nazareth and lives under their authority.  His mother, meanwhile, stores up all these things in her heart.

  (S) Jesus, for his part, grows in wisdom, in maturity and in grace, and in the presence of God and men.

  * Since the men and women often travelled in separate groups Mary might have presumed Jesus was with Joseph and vice versa.


First Sorrowful: THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

(Mt 26:36-46; Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:39-46)

  Jesus goes with the apostles to Gethsemane.  With great trembling and fear he prays to the father to release him from his sufferings, while the apostles sleep.  Finally, after several hours of agonizing prayers, Jesus goes out to be handed over to his enemies.

  1. (S) Jesus and his eleven apostles come to a small estate, a garden called Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where they had often come to pray.

  2. (S) He says to his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there to pray."  He takes Peter, James and John with him.  And sadness and distress come over him.

  3. (S) "My soul is sorrowful to the point of death," he says to them.  "Wait here and keep awake."  Going on a bit further, he falls on his face and prays.

  4. (S) "My Father," Jesus says, "if it is possible, let this cup pass me by.  Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it."

  5. (A) Jesus sees all the sins of mankind as he prays.  Satan displays increasingly horrible visions before him, taunting, "Would you take even this sin on yourself?"

  6. (S) Jesus returns to the apostles and finds them sleeping.  He says to Peter,  "Simon, are you asleep?  Were you not able to watch with me one hour?

  7. (S) "You should be awake and praying to not be put to the test.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."  Again, a second time he goes away and prays.

  8. (S) "My Father, if this cup cannot pass by without my drinking it, your will be done."  An angel appears to him from heaven, to give him strength.

  9. (S) Entering deeply into his agony, Jesus prays even more earnestly, and his sweat becomes like drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

  10. (S) He goes back and finds the apostles sleeping again, their eyes are so heavy.  And they can find no answer for him.  He goes away and prays for a third time.

  (S) Finally, he returns and says,  "Sleep on now and take your rest.  The hour has come when the Son of Man is to be betrayed..."


Second Sorrowful: THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR

(MT 27:15-26; Mk 15:6-15; Jn 18:38-19:1)

  Pilate, to placate the crowd, hands Jesus over to be scourged.  Six drunken soldiers take turns furiously beating Our Lord.  His flesh is mercilessly torn from head to toe, front and back, all in the presence of his mother.

  1. (S) On the occasion of a festival the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd any one prisoner whom they chose.  They had at the time a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.

  2. (S) Therefore, having them all assembled there, he says to them, "Which one do you wish me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus, the so-called Messiah?"

  3. (S) The chief priest and elders have convinced the crowd to ask for Barabbas so they shout, "Not this man but Barabbas!" So Pilate has taken Jesus taken away to be scourged.

  4. (A,M,T) Our Lord is led to a pillar where many times criminals have been scourged to death.  Three pairs of drunken executioners prepare for their brutal task.

  5. (A,M,T) Jesus is ordered to remove all his clothing in the presence of a great multitude, including his grief-stricken mother.  Our Lord stands naked before this crowd.

  6. (A,T) His bound hands are raised up by a rope to a ring at the top of a pillar, so that his feet just barely touch the ground.  He is facing the pillar.

  7. (A,M) The first two scourgers begin their violent assault with undisguised pleasure, using hard, thick cords, full of knots.  Their fifteen minute ritual rends them exhausted.

  8. (A,M) Jesus' body is now black and blue, and red, and covered with welts and tumors.  Two more scourgers take over, using harder, more piercing whips.

  9. (A,M) The blows from these weapons tear Jesus' flesh to pieces.  His blood pours out, staining their arms.  He groans, prays and shudders.

  10. (A) Two more executioners take over using metal tipped scourges.  These penetrate to the bone, tearing off pieces of sacred flesh with each blow.

  (T) They then turn Jesus, and repeat this cruelty on his front.  Finally, he is released, limp and still praying, to the ground.


Third Sorrowful: CROWNING WITH THORNS

(Mt 27:27-31; Mk 15:16-20; Jn 19:2-5)

  Jesus is led into an inner courtyard.  He is clothed in royal purple, crowned with thorns, and is mocked as "king of the Jews." He is pushed, buffeted and insulted; his eyes are covered with blood.

  1. (S) Pilate's soldiers lead Jesus to the inner part of the palace (the praetorium) and all gather round.  They tear off his clothes, reopening his wounds, and dress him in a purple cloak.

  2. (A) In the middle of the courtyard stands a low stool, upon which the soldiers have strewn sharp flints and bits of broken pots.  Jesus is roughly pushed down on this stool.

  3. (S) Weaving a crown out of thorns they fix it on his head, and place a reed in his right hand.  Then they begin to mock him by dropping to their knees before him, saying, "All hail, King of the Jews!"

  4. (A) The crown is in the shape of a bowl, with the majority of the thorns purposely turned inward so as to pierce the head of Our Lord.  His eyes fill with blood.

  5. (S) They spit on him and take hold of the reed, striking him on the head.  They continue to ridicule him saying "Hail, King of the Jews", slapping him on the face as they do so.

  6. (A) The soldiers on guard keep their ranks, but do their utmost by laughter and applause to incite the executioners to further insult and humiliate Jesus.

  7. (A) Then they overturn the stool, thereby throwing Jesus to the ground.  They pull Our Lord up again and reseat him with the greatest possible brutality.

  8. (A) The sufferings of Jesus from thirst (due to the fever caused by his scourging and other maltreatment) are intense; his lips and tongue are parched and contracted.

  9. (A) Our Lord trembles all over.  His flesh is torn to pieces.  His only relief from his severe thirst is the blood which trickles down his head to his lips.

  10. (A) This brutal scene lasts for a full half-hour, while the Roman soldiers continue to cheer and encourage the executioners to greater and greater savagery.

  (S) Finally, when they have finished making a fool of him, they bring Jesus before the crowd.


Fourth Sorrowful: CARRYING OF THE CROSS

(Mt 27:32-34; Mk 15:21-23; Lk 23:26-31; Jn 19:5-17)

  Jesus is condemned to death and is led out to carry his cross to Calvary.  He meets his mother in a heart-rending exchange.  Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service; Veronica receives Jesus' image on her veil.

  1. (S) Pilate brings Jesus out before the crowd in his pitiable state and says, "Behold the man."  When they see him, they shout, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

  2. (S) "...Do you want me to crucify your king?" asks Pilate.  The chief priests answer, "We have no king but Caesar."  Finally, Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified.

  3. (A) Jesus' cross is thrown at his feet.  He kneels down before it and kisses it while offering a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for the work of redemption he has begun.

  4. (A) Jesus takes up his cross and begins his journey to Calvary.  His bare feet are swollen and bleeding; he appears half fainting from exhaustion, and is suffering from loss of blood and severe thirst.

  5. (A) Mary, her eyes red with weeping, her cheeks pale as death, and her lips almost blue, awaits the procession.  The Romans discover who she is and make fun of her.

  6. (A) Jesus sees his mother, staggers and falls.  Mary, moved beyond restraint, runs to his side and embraces him.  The sword (of Simeon) pierces her heart.

  7. (S) Jesus continues, weaker at each step.  Fearing he will die before they get to Calvary, the soldiers force a reluctant Simon of Cyrene to help Our Lord.

  8. (A,T) A woman of "majestic appearance" emerges from a house along the way, makes her way through the crowd to Jesus and offers him her veil.  "Allow me to wipe my Lord's face," she says.

  9. (A) Veronica, the name she is later known by,* returns to her house and discovers the image of Jesus on her veil.  She falls to her knees before it.

  10. (S) Jesus sees the women mourning for him.  He turns to them and says, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me but for yourselves and for your children..."

  (S) "...The days will come when people will say, 'Happy are those who are barren...' They will say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!"

  *The name Veronica comes from ver icon, meaning "true portrait."


Fifth Sorrowful: THE CRUCIFIXION

(Mt. 27:33-54; Mk. 15:22-39; Lk. 23:32- 49; Jn. 19:18-30)

  Arriving at Golgotha, Jesus is stripped, and then crucified between two thieves. The on-lookers jeer at Our Lord. One thief abuses him; the other rebukes the first and defends Jesus, and is rewarded for it. Finally, Jesus cries out and expires.

  1. (S) When they arrive at Golgotha, they offer Jesus some wine to drink, mixed with myrrh* but he refuses it. The soldiers remove his clothes and prepare to cast lots for them.

  2. (S) Jesus is crucified between two robbers. Pilate writes out a notice and has it attached to the cross. It reads, "Jesus the Nazarene, king of the Jews"**

  3. (S) The passers-by jeer at Jesus, "So you would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days! Then save yourself! If you are God's son, come down from the cross!"

  4. (S) The chief priests and scribes add, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now that we may see and believe.

  5. (S) One of the criminals being crucified abuses Our Lord: "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well." Jesus says, "Father forgive them. They know not what they do."

  6. (S) The other thief rebukes the first: "Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence he did but in our case we deserved it; we are paying for what we did..."

  7. (S) "...but this man has done no wrong, "he adds."Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus responds, "Indeed, this day you will be with me in paradise."

  8. (S) Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved nearby, Jesus says, "Woman, behold your son," and to the disciple, "Behold your  mother."

  9. (S) From noon until three o'clock there is darkness over the land. Toward three o'clock, Jesus calls out, "I thirst"; and then, "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"

  10. (S) Finally, Jesus cries out, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," and he expires. At this, the veil of the temple is torn in two.

  (S) The earth quakes; rocks are split. The centurian standing there says, "Truly, this was the Son of God."

  *myrhh - a bitter tasting gum resin used with wine to deaden pain

**This was written in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The Latin, "Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaorum," is abbreviated INRI.

First Glorious: THE RESURRECTION

(Mt. 28:1-10; Mk. 16:1-14; Lk. 24:1-49; Jn. 20:1-29)

  The women go early to the tomb and are told of the Resurrection by an angel.  The disciples, slow to believe, are convinced by Peter, the two returned from Emmaus, and Jesus himself.  Thomas, the last to believe, proclaims Jesus' divinity.

  1. (S) Towards dawn on the first day of the week, the women go to the tomb.  All at once there is a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord comes and rolls away the stone.

  2. (S) The angel says to them, "Do not be afraid.  You seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, as he said he would.  Come and see the place where he lay."

  3. (S) With awe and great joy the women run quickly to tell the disciples, who refuse to believe.  Later, at the tomb, Jesus appears to Mary Magdelene and the other women.

  4. (S) That same day Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but they are kept from recognizing him.  He asks them what they are discussing.

  5. (S) They reply, "About Jesus of Nazareth, who proved he was a great prophet by what he said and did, and how our chief priests had him crucified.  We had hoped he would set Israel free..."

  6. (S) Jesus says, "You foolish men!  So slow to believe the full message of the prophets!  Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?"

  7. (S) Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explains the scriptures about himself.  When they arrive at Emmaus, they invite the Lord to stay with them.

  8. (S) They recognize Jesus at the breaking of the bread, and then he disappears.  Amazed, they hurry back to Jerusalem where they are told, "Yes, the Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

  9. (S) While they are still talking, Jesus comes and stands among them.  Joyfully, they come to believe.  Thomas, who was not with them, refuses to believe their story.

  10. (S) Eight days later Jesus comes again.  He says to Thomas, "Put your finger here; put your hand into my side.  Doubt no longer, but believe."

  (S) "My Lord and my God!" says Thomas.  "You believe because you have seen," says Jesus.  "Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe."


Second Glorious: THE ASCENSION

(Mt. 28:20; Mk. 16:15-20; Lk. 24:50-53; Acts 1: 1-11)

  On Ascension day Jesus appears to the disciples and his mother.  He gives the apostles final instructions and promises to send the Holy Spirit.  Then, going out to Mount Olivet, Jesus rises up to heaven and disappears in a cloud.

  1. (S) The risen Jesus shows his disciples he is alive by many proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking of the kingdom of God.

  2. (S) Jesus instructs them, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved.  He who does not believe will be condemned."

  3. (S) "...Know that I am with you always, until the end of the world.  I will send down to you what the Father has promised.  Stay in Jerusalem then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.

  4. (S) "It is," Jesus says, "What you have heard me speak about.  John baptized with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

  5. (T,M) Now they all go our from the house, cross the brook of Kedron, and climb to the highest point of the Mount of Olives from where Jesus is to ascend.

  6. (S) They ask him, "Lord, has the time come?  Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"  Jesus replies, "It is not for you to know the time the Father has decided.

  7. (S) " You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and then you will be by witnesses not only in Jerusalem, but throughout Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth."

  8. (T) Behind Jesus the sun has begun to rise in a fiery red brilliance.  His wounds are brightly aglow; his clothing glistens like snow.

  9. (S) The Lord lifts up his hands and blesses them.  As he blesses them he leaves them.  He is taken up into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God.

  10. (S) While they are still staring into the sky, suddenly two men in white are standing near them and ask, "Why are you men from Galilee looking into the sky?

  (S) "This same Jesus who has been taken up into heaven will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there."


Third Glorious: THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(Acts 2:1-41)

  A strong wind and tongues of fire descend upon the apostles gathered in one room, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit. They go out and Peter proclaims the Good News; three thousand Jews are converted.

  1. (S) On Pentecost the disciples, together in one room, hear a powerful wind, and see tongues of fire come to rest over each of them. They are filled with the Holy Spirit.

  2. (S) Staying in Jerusalem at the time were devout Jews from every nation. At this sound they all assemble there, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language.

  3. (S) Everyone is amazed and unable to explain it. Some laugh it off saying, "They have been drinking too much new wine." But Peter stands up and addresses them in a loud voice...

  4. (S) "Men of Judea, these men are not drunk-why it is only nine o'clock in the morning-no, this is what the prophet Joel spoke of: 'in those days I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind.'

  5. (S) "Men of Israel, Listen: Jesus of Nazareth was commended to you by the miracles and signs God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know.

  6. (S) "This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention of God, you took and had crucified. But God raised him to life, freeing him from the powers of death.

  7. (S) "Now, raised to the heights by God's right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit...

  8. (S) "For David himself never went to heaven, and yet these words are his:    The Lord said to my Lord:  Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for you.

  9. (S) "For this reason the whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.*" Hearing this, they are deeply moved.

  10. (S) "What must we do, brothers?" They ask. "You must repent," Peter answers, "and every one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

  (S) They are convinced by Peter's arguments. That very day about three thousand are baptized and are added to their number.

  * "Christ" is Greek for "Messiah."


Fourth Glorious: THE ASSUMPTION

(Revelation 11:19)

  Mary and John go to Jerusalem, where they are met by the other apostles. Mary dies in their presence and is buried in a nearby tomb. Some days later Mary's body is gloriously assumed into heaven. Thomas and the others discover the empty tomb.

  1. (A,T,M) After the Ascension, Mary lives with St. John for a few years in Jerusalem; then they both move to Ephesus. It is revealed to Mary that her earthly life is nearing its end.

  2. (T,M) Mary expresses to John a desire to journey to Jerusalem one last time, to venerate the places where Jesus suffered. John readily agrees.

  3. (T,A,M) As the time for Mary's reunion with her Son approaches, the apostles and disciples are inspired to come to Jerusalem to see her one final time.

  4. (M) The Lord gives Mary the option of entering Heaven without passing through death. Since sin had no part in her, she need not have endured its punishment, death.

  5. (M) However, recalling that her Son could have shunned death with a greater right, had he not chosen to satisfy divine justice by dying, Mary too, chooses to die.

  6. (T) All the apostles but Thomas are gathered with Mary in one room, talking about Jesus. Suddenly, Mary is filled with a great longing for her Son.

7. (T,A,M) She grows weak and pale, sinks back and dies in the arms of St. John. The women prepare Mary's body and it is buried in a nearby tomb.

  8. (T,M,A,B) Within three days of her death and burial, Mary's soul returns to the tomb and emerges reunited with her transformed body, to be assumed gloriously into heaven.

  9. (T,A) Thomas arrives the next day and weeps when he hears of Mary's death. He begs to see her body once more. So, they set out for the tomb.

  10. (T,A) When they get to the tomb and look inside, they are amazed to find the grave-clothes empty, though still wrapped as before. They look up to heaven, praising God.

  (S) *"Then the sanctuary of God in heaven opened, and the ark of the covenant could be seen inside."

  *From Revelation 11:19, this passage is taken, by accommodation, to refer to Mary's bodily presence in heaven. Mary, who bore Jesus, the new covenant, within her is the "Ark of the new covenant."


Fifth Glorious: THE CORONATION OF MARY AS QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

(Psalm 45:11-18; Revel. 12:13)

  Mary enters the heavenly court to general rejoicing and is enthroned by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the right hand of Jesus. There, God's daughter, mother, and spouse is crowned queen of heaven and earth.

  1. (S)* Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear, forget your people and your father's house. So shall the King desire your beauty; for he is your Lord and you must worship him.

  2. (S)* All glorious is the King's daughter as she enters; her raiment is threaded with spun gold. In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the King.

  3. (S)* Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the Lord. They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the King.

  4. (S)* You shall make your sons princes through all the land. I will make your name memorable through all generations; therefore shall all nations praise you forever and ever.

  5. (M) After enthroning our Blessed Mother at the right hand of her Son, the Trinity declares all the privileges she should enjoy by virtue of her holiness.

  6. (M) The Father speaks to the heavenly court: "Our daughter Mary was chosen according to Our pleasure from among all creatures, the first to delight us..."

  7. (M) "Our true daughter is given a part in Our dominion which we shall recognize by crowning her as the legitimate and unequalled Lady and Queen."

  8. (M) Jesus then speaks, "To my true and natural mother belong all those created and redeemed by me; and over all my subjects she shall be queen."

  9. (M) The Holy Spirit adds, "Since she is called my beloved and chosen spouse, Blessed Mary deserves to be crowned as queen for all eternity."

  10. (M) Having thus spoken, the Father, Son and Spouse of Mary place on her head a crown of unimaginable beauty and splendor,and her glorious reign begins.

  (S) "A great sign appears in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."

  *From Psalm 45 these passages are taken by accommodation to refer to Mary's crowning.


PART II

  The Joyful Mysteries

  I. The Annunciation - Mary, as God's "highly favored daughter," you represent the "daughter of Zion", the faithful remnant of Israel, in receiving the announcement of God's favor to His people. Your fear turns to joy as the mystery of your motherhood unfolds, as you find yourself the means of fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy to David: "I will raise up your heir after you... and I will make his royal throne firm forever." Reassured by the promised sign of Elizabeth's pregnancy and God's limitless power, you consent, and the Spirit conceives the Son in you. God is with us, Emmanuel! May we imitate your obedience in receiving God's Word.

II. The Visitation - Moved by grace to service, you seek out Elizabeth to witness God's power in her, and to give witness to God's power in you. Enlightened by the Spirit in which she now shares, she proclaims your secret, your blessedness, John's inspired joy. You, Mary, speak of God's greatness, and your littleness in his light, and the universality of this contrast for all mankind. You wait on your cousin, quietly, in humility, and then quietly leave before the rejoicing. Inspire us by your example to humbly serve others.

III. The Birth of Jesus - What comforts do you leave behind, Mary, to be with Joseph to fulfill the decree of Augustus, and to bear Jesus in Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy of Micah?: "From you, Bethlehem, is to come forth one who is to be ruler of Israel." He was promised the throne of David, yet you give birth to Him in a stable. You receive the shepherds seeking the Good Shepherd, the kings seeking the King of Kings: Lowly Israelites from nearby, wise pagans from afar. He is announced by "peace" and followed by danger. May we welcome your Son into the world in the least of his newborn, and preborn; and may we be unafraid to approach our God as the vulnerable, gentle Christ-child.

IV. The Presentation - Mary, you and Joseph bring Jesus, the Redeemer, to be redeemed: the Lamb of God who would buy us back from our sinfulness with His blood, bought back for now with the blood of two doves. You are greeted by Simeon, who is inspired by the Holy Spirit to perceive the promised Messiah and the sorrow He will cause you. Anna, too, through the grace of her prayer and fasting, senses Christ's presence and the deliverance imminent. May our prayer and fasting open our eyes to the presence of Christ among us.

V. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple - Your lingering joy over the Passover celebration, Mary, is turned to grief upon discovering the absence of Jesus from the caravan. You and Joseph can think of neither sleep nor food as you search, and watch through the first day and night. How do you tell a stranger you have lost your Son? Another day and another night are spent watching in distracted prayer. When at last you find him, He speaks only of the need to be in his Father's house. Help us to persevere during our dark night of the soul.         The Sorrowful Mysteries

  I. The Agony in the Garden - Lord Jesus, do you feel the sins of the whole world weighing down upon you as you pray in sweat in that lonely garden? You fight the Cross in your humanity, yet embrace the Father's will in your divinity. Your disciples nod with fatigue. You appeared to them once transfigured, now disfigured... and yet they are not moved to pray to avoid the test your cross may bring, the test they are to fail. Lord, help us watch and pray with you one hour so as to meet the test of your Cross.

II. The Scourging at the Pillar - Jesus, you are judged guilty by Pilate, the chief priests, the elders, the crowd. Guilty of our sins? You, the just, are delivered over so that Barabbas, the unjust, might be freed from the burdens of his sins. Is this a sign for us? You are led to the pillar for scourging. You are stripped naked before the crowd. Before Mary? The violence...the carnage...the seeming endlessness! Is this the price for carnal sins? My sins? Lord, may this sight turn me from such sins.

III. The Crowning with Thorns - Your ordeal continues, Lord Jesus,with the crown of humiliation. The thorns, piercing deeply your sacred head, are these our sins of pride? The spittle: the desecrations of your name, your precious body and blood? The slaps, are these the insults and sarcastic quips we cast at you in our neighbor? The mocking praise: the feigned prayer and worship we can't wait to finish? The blood: our cruel words about others? You play the fool to undo these, our sins. Lord, may we be fools for you.

IV. The Carrying of the Cross - The crowd, so admiring just days ago, now cries out for your blood, Lord. How fickle we humans are. The verdict given, do you kneel to kiss the cross, the altar of sacrifice? Slowly, painfully you work your way up toward Calvary. Suddenly there is your mother. The bitterness explodes as you gaze into her eyes. Later, Simon... did you convert him with a look, Lord? And Veronica! She leaves the comfort of the crowd for the glory of your Cross and you leave her a remembrance on her veil. And the women... if only they understood... Dear Lord, help us to see the trials we endure as crosses, to carry them, to embrace them.

V. The Crucifixion - Your Hour is come, Lord. Stripped... The nails plunge through...the cross's final jolt... in place. Three times they tempt you down, to end this ordeal. Three times you ignore them. You stay. You thirst-for my soul? You forgive. You baptize the thief in his faith. You give your mother to the disciple...to all disciples. You vent your feelings of desolation, forsakenness, but transform them with the culminating words of your faith, your life, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Jesus, may we unite ourselves to you on the altar as we re-present your sacrificial death in the Mass.


The Glorious Mysteries

I. The Resurrection - The crown of victory! Lord, is Mary the first to share the joy, quietly, secretly, as you embrace her and wipe the tears from her eyes? And, then Mary Magdelene and the other women, what joy they feel bearing the good news to the doubting apostles. The Emmaus travelers' faith is rekindled by your explanation of Sacred Scripture and confirmed in the "breaking of the bread." They return to the disciples and discover you there, in the Church, where your presence persists. Lord, may your resurrection be the basis of our faith, the object of our hope and the reward for our love.

II. The Ascension - Lord, you instruct your disciples in their mission of love during the forty days before your ascent: Belief in the Good News will bring salvation; disbelief, condemnation. You will be with us always through your Spirit, until the end. You promise the power of the Spirit, which will enable us, your disciples, to give witness to you everywhere. What a glorious sight, your ascent to power! Your return is announced. Jesus, help us to believe the Good News your Church teaches and to live it as we await your return.

III. The Descent of the Holy Spirit - The disciples' prayer novena extends to Pentecost, when you descend, O Holy Spirit, to confirm them in the faith. The Jews gathered for the feast are divided: Those gifted with interpretation, hearing all in their own language; and those not gifted so, hearing a drunken babble. Peter, once a cowering apostate, now gifted sevenfold, dismisses whimsically the insobriety charge and roars fearlessly the faith: Jesus, crucified, is now risen. He is the Christ, the Messiah! Three thousand convert and return to their homelands to spread the faith. O Holy Spirit, empower us to fearlessly witness to the faith by our words, our lives.

IV. The Assumption - Mary, you once stood by the Cross of your son, but since he departed you have known your own cross: the emptiness, the void he left in your heart. You have awaited your reunion with him, and as the time approaches you visit one final time the way of the cross in Jerusalem. Your last moments are shared with the apostles, save Thomas who later discovers your bodily assumption. What joy did he and the others feel to find your body taken from this world; what joy did you feel united body and soul with your God? Help us to glorify God in our own bodies, awaiting that unity with him.

V. The Coronation - Mary, exemplar of the Church, your journey of faith, the struggles, the crosses, the daily growth, are to be rewarded with an eternal crown; a garland never to wither; a royalty never to be challenged; for your divinely formed beauty is never to fade. As the true disciple, you wear the crown for the Church, a crown which can only be union with God. May we share your journey of faith, the struggles, the crosses, the daily growth, and at life's end the imperishable crown: God himself.


Part III

  Themes

Joyful Mysteries - 1. Secret arrival  2. Humble service  3. God's glory whispered.  4. Sense of the sacred  5