The Catholic Prayer Book and Manual of Meditations/Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
PART FIRST.
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES.
Assigned for the Mondays and Thursdays throughout the year, the Sundays of Advent, and the Sundays after Epiphany, till Lent.
IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
V. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
R. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips.
R. And my tongue shall announce thy praise.
V. Incline unto my aid, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
l.——THE ANNUNCIATION.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how the angel Gabriel saluted our blessed Lady with the title of “Full of grace,” and declared unto her the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
THE PRAYER.
O HOLY Mary, Queen of virgins, by the most high mystery of the incarnation of thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by which our salvation was so happily begun, obtain for us, by thy intercession, light to understand the great benefit which he has bestowed upon us, vouchsafing thereby to make himself our brother, and thee, his own most beloved mother, our mother also. Amen.
lI.—-THE VISITATION.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, understanding from the angel that her cousin, St. Elizabeth, had conceived, went with haste into the mountains of Judea to visit her, and remained with her for three months.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
THE PRAYER.
O HOLY Virgin, most spotless mirror of humility, by that exceeding charity which moved thee to visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, obtain for us, by thy intercession, that our hearts may be so visited by thy holy Son, that being free from sin, we may praise him and give him thanks for ever. Amen.
III.—THE NATIVITY.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the time of her delivery was come, brought forth our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, at midnight, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inns at Bethlehem.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
THE PRAYER.
MOST pure Mother of God, by thy virginal and most joyful delivery, by which thou gavest unto the world thy Son, our Saviour, we beseech thee obtain for us, by thy intercession, grace to lead such pure and holy lives in this world, that we may worthily sing without ceasing, both day and night, the mercies of thy Son, and his benefits to us by thee. Amen.
IV.—THE PRESENTATION.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how the most Blessed Virgin Mary, on the day of her purification, presented the child Jesus in the temple, where holy Simeon, giving thanks to God, with great devotion, received him into his arms.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
THE PRAYER.
O HOLY Virgin, admirable mistress and pattern of obedience, who didst present in the temple the Lord of the temple, obtain for us, of thy beloved Son, that, with holy Simeon and devout Anna, we may praise and glorify him for ever. Amen.
V.—FINDING IN THE TEMPLE.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how the Blessed Virgin Mary, having lost her beloved Son in Jerusalem, sought him for the space of three days, and at length found him in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, being of the age of twelve years.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
THE PRAYER.
MOST Blessed Virgin, more than martyr in thy sufferings, and yet the comfort of such as are afflicted, by that unspeakable joy wherewith thy soul was filled in finding thy beloved Son in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, obtain of him for us to seek him and find him in the Holy Catholic Church, that we may never be separated from him.Amen.
THE SALVE REGINA.
HAIL! Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! to thee do we cry, poor banished sons of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping, in this valley of tears. Turn, then, 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 pious, 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.
LET US PRAY.
HEAR, O merciful God, the prayers of thy servants, that we, who meet together in the society of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, may, by her intercession, be delivered from the dangers that continually hang over us.Amen.
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, 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.
PRAYER OF ST. BERNARD.
REMEMBER, O most holy Virgin Mary, that no one ever had recourse to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy mediation, without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in thy goodness, behold me, a penitent sinner, sighing out my sins before thee, beseeching thee to adopt me for thy Son, and to take upon thee the care of my eternal salvation.
Despise not. O Mother of Jesus, the petition of thy humble client, but hear and grant my prayer. Amen.
PART SECOND.
THE DOLOROUS OR SORROWFUL MYSTERIES.
For Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the year, and the Sundays in Lent.
I. — THE PRAYER AND BLOODY SWEAT OF OUR SAVIOUR IN THE GARDEN.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ was so afflicted for us in the Garden of Gethsemani, that his body was bathed in a bloody sweat, which ran trickling down in great drops to the ground.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
The Prayer.
MOST holy Virgin, more than martyr, by that ardent prayer which thy beloved Son poured forth unto his Father in the Garden, vouchsafe to intercede for us, that our passions being reduced to the obedience of reason, we may always, and in all things, conform and subject ourselves to the will of God. Amen.
II. — THE SCOURGING OF JESUS AT THE PILLAR.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, being delivered up by Pilate to the fury of the Jews, was by them most cruelly scourged at a pillar.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times] .
The Prayer.
O MOTHER of God, overflowing fountain of patience, by those stripes thy only and most beloved Son vouchsafed to suffer for us, obtain of him for us the grace that we may know how to mortify our rebellious senses, and to cut off all occasions of sinning by that sword of grief and compassion which pierced thy most tender soul. Amen.
III. — THE CROWNING OF JESUS WITH THORNS.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how those cruel ministers of Satan platted a crown of sharp thorns, and most cruelly pressed it on the most sacred head of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
The Prayer.
O MOTHER of our eternal Prince and King of glory, by those sharp thorns wherewith his most holy head was pierced, we beseech thee that, by thy intercession, we may be delivered here from all feelings of pride, and in the day of judgment from that confusion which our sins deserve. Amen.
IV. — JESUS CARRYING HIS CROSS.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, being sentenced to die, bore with the greatest patience, the cross which was laid upon him for his greater torment and ignominy.
Our Father, otc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
The Prayer.
O HOLY Virgin, example of patience, by the most painful carrying of the cross, on which thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, bore the heavy weight of our sins, obtain for us of him, by thy intercession, courage and strength to follow his steps, and bear our cross after him to the end of our lives. Amen.
V. — THE CRUCIFIXION
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, being come to Mount Calvary, was stripped of his clothes, and his hands and feet most cruelly nailed to the cross, in the presence of his most afflicted Mother.
Our Father, etc. [ once ]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
The Prayer.
O HOLY Mary. Mother of God, since the body of thy beloved Son was for us extended on the cross, may our desires be daily expanded in his service; and may our hearts be wounded with compassion for his most bitter passion. And thou, O most Blessed Virgin, vouchsafe to help us to accomplish the work of our salvation, by thy powerful intercession. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, etc., with the Verse and Prayer, as before, p, 448.
PART THIRD.
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES.
For Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the year, and Sundays after Easter and in Advent.
1. — THE RESURRECTION.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing over death, rose again the third day, immortal and impassible.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
The Prayer.
O GLORIOUS Virgin Mary, by the unspeakable joy thou didst receive in the resurrection of thy only-beloved Son, we beseech thee obtain of him for us, that our hearts may never go astray after the false joys of this world, but may be ever and wholly employed in the pursuit of the only true and solid joys of heaven. Amen.
II. — THE ASCENSION.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, forty days after his resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended by angels, in the sight of his most holy Mother and his apostles and disciples, to the great admiration of them all.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
The Prayer.
O MOTHER of God, comfort of the afflicted, as thy beloved Son, when he ascended into heaven, lifted up his hands and blessed his Apostles, so vouchsafe, most holy Mother, to lift up thy pure hands to him for us, that we may enjoy the benefit of his blessing here on earth, and hereafter in heaven. Amen.
III. — THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how our Lord Jesus Christ, being seated on the right hand of God, sent, as he had promised, the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles; who, after he ascended, returning to Jerusalem, continued in prayer and supplication with the Blessed Virgin Mary, expecting the performance of his promise.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ten times].
The Prayer.
O SACRED Virgin, tabernacle of the Holy Ghost, we beseech thee obtain by thy intercession, that this most sweet Comforter, whom thy beloved Son sent down upon his Apostles, filling them thereby with spiritual joy, may teach us in this world the true way of salvation, and make us walk in the paths of virtue and good works. Amen.
IV. — THE ASSUMPTION.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how the glorious Virgin, twelve years after the resurrection of her Son, passed out of this world unto him, and was by him assumed into heaven, accompanied by the holy angels.
Our Father, etc. [ once ]. Hail Mary, etc. [ ten times].
The Prayer.
O MOST prudent Virgin, who, entering into the heavenly palace, didst fill the holy angels with joy and men with hope, vouchsafe to intercede for us in the hour of our death, that being free from the illusions and temptations of the devil, we may joyfully and securely pass out of this temporal state, to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. Amen.
V. — THE CROWNING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
The Meditation.
LET us contemplate in this mystery how the glorious Virgin Mary was, with great jubilee and exultation of the whole court of heaven, and particular glory of all the saints, crowned by her Son with the brightest diadem of glory.
Our Father, etc. [once]. Hail Mary, etc. [ ten times].
The Prayer.
O GLORIOUS Queen of all the heavenly citizens, we beseech thee to accept this Rosary, which as a crown of roses we offer at thy feet; and grant, most gracious Lady, that by thy intercession our souls may be inflamed with so ardent a desire of seeing thee so gloriously crowned, that it may never die in us until it be changed into the happy fruition of thy blessed sight. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, etc., with the verse and prayer, as before, p. 448.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY VIRGIN,
Mother of Sorrows.
MOST holy Mother of Sorrows, by that intense martyrdom which thou didst suffer at the foot of the cross during the three hours of the agony of Jesus, deign to aid us all, who are the children of thy sorrows, in our last agony, that by thy prayers we may pass from our bed of death to ad >m thy crown in Paradise.
Glory be to the Father, etc. [three times].
V. From sudden and unprovided death.
R. Deliver us, O Lord.
V. From the snares of the devil.
R. Deliver us, O Lord.
V. From everlasting death.
R. Deliver us, O Lord.
LET US PRAY
O GOD, who, for the salvation of the human race, hast, in the most bitter death of thy Son, made for us both an example and a refuge, grant, we beseech thee, that in the last peril, at the hour of our death, we may be made worthy to experience the effect of this great charity, so as to be associated in the glory of the Redeemer himself: through the same Jesus Christ thy Son.
THREE EJACULATIONS.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I offer you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul with you in peace.