The Rosary of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Dominic, the founder of the order of Friar-Preachers, having recourse to the Blessed Virgin in order to stem the flood of the Albigensian heresy, which was spreading itself like a plague over many countries, but especially over France, instituted, by special revelation from her, in the year 1206, and afterwards effectually promulgated, the devotion of the holy Rosary, which ever since has produced the most marvellous results in the Christian world.
The devotion called the Rosary consists of fifteen ‘‘ Pater nosters” and "Glorias,” and one hundred and fifty “ Ave Marias,” divided into three parts; each containing five “Decades,” or tens; a decade consisting of one ‘‘ Pater,” ten "Aves,” and a “Gloria.” To each of these Decades is assigned one of the principle mysteries of the life of our Saviour, or his blessed Mother, as matter of meditation, whereon the mind is to exercise whilst at prayer, and therefore it is prefixed to every Decade.
The fifteen mysteries, as we have said, are divided into three parts, viz. five joyful, five sorrowful, and five glorious mysteries. Now the method consists in raising corresponding affections in the will during the recital of each Decade, such as the devotion of each one may suggest; for example in the first part, sentiments of joy for the coming of our Redeemer; in the second, of compassion for the sufferings of our Lord, and contrition for our sins which were the occasion of them; in the third, of thanksgiving for the. exaltation and glory of our Saviour and his blessed Mother, hoping, through the merits of bis passion, and her intercession, to be made partakers of their glory. To assist the mind in this exercise, a short meditation and prayer is usually given to be used before and after each Decade, In order to say the Rosary well, ‘we must not be satisfied with merely pronouncing the words of the prayers, or with a vague and general reflection on the mysteries; but endeavour to acquire the habit of reciting them with great attention and reverence, at the same time dwelling in a vivid manner upon the different mysteries,
