LifePrayers

The mysteries: The rosary consists of four sets of mysteries: the joyful, the sorrowful, the glorious, and the luminous (also called the mysteries of light).

The prayers: Prayers included in the rosary are the Apostles' Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, The Fatima Aspiration, Hail Holy Queen, and others.

The Apostles' Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. 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 thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.

The 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.

The Fatima Aspiration: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy, Amen.

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 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 loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, pray for us O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

(Note: If you want to print out these meditations, be sure to print it landscape, not portrait.)

After each rosary meditation, such as the ones offered below, say the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, Glory Be, and the Fatima Aspiration (O My Jesus).

The Apostles' Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be, O My Jesus

The Annunciation

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus..."  Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word."  Luke 1:30-31,38  When Mary gave her "fiat," her "let it be done," Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived. Not the potential for Jesus, but Jesus Himself. The Word became flesh. Let us pray that all who are troubled or in fear because of pregnancy may have the grace to trust in God's will.

The Visitation

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Luke 1:41-42  John the Baptist leapt for joy in his mother Elizabeth's womb.  We pray that people realize that unborn children are not lives who "might" come into the world, but about children who are already in the world, living and growing in the womb.

The Nativity

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.  She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7  God Himself was born as a child. The greatness of a person does not depend on size, for the newborn King Jesus was very small when "She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger."

The Presentation in the Temple

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.  He came in the Spirit into the Temple; and when the parents bought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now Master you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."  The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; Luke 2:25-33  The presentation of the baby Jesus in the temple was happy and joyous occasion for Mary and Joseph as they carried out the Jewish custom. May all expecting parents experience the great blessings of joy that come with children.

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.  Luke 2:46-47  Joy and relief came to Joseph and Mary as they found their son Jesus in the temple, teaching and amazing all with His infinite wisdom. God bless all childless couples and help them to find their child if it is your holy will. For all those who may not be able to receive this blessing, we ask you to consider blessing them as spiritual parents of unwanted, unloved children. For all, we ask for peace in our hearts. Bless all of us with the wisdom of the child Jesus.

Hail Holy Queen...

The Apostles' Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be, O My Jesus

After Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water, and the heavens opened up for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending upon him like a dove. A voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16,17 Holy Spirit, descend upon us like a dove and show us the light of life. Help all of us to see and value the sanctity of human life.

On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When they ran out of wine the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Jesus replied, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this as the first of his signs and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. John 2:1-11 Jesus, help us to see the goodness that only you can bring to life. Fill our lives to the brim with your love.

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14,15 Dear Lord, help all those suffering from the aftermath of abortion to believe in the good news of your gospel, and know your forgiveness, mercy, and healing.

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up to the mountain to pray. While he was in prayer, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. Two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, appearing in glory and speaking of the exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem...Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him." Luke 9:29-31,35

The Institution of the Eucharist

Jesus instituted the Eucharist in the first mass, the last supper. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.  Matthew 26:26-28  Jesus, thank you so much for the Bread of life, the Eucharist that is your body, your blood, your soul, and your divinity, that sustain us through life.

Hail Holy Queen...

He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will." Mark 14:33-36 Jesus, we pray to you for those women in agony and despair, not knowing who to turn to in their hour of need. Offer them the strength that they need to persevere.

And the whole people said in reply, "His blood be upon us and upon our children." The he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:25-26  The crowd called for the blood of Jesus, not knowing that the blood of Jesus would be our redemption. Jesus, we pray for redemption of those sorrowful souls touched by the scourging of abortion. We pray for the unborn children whose blood has been spilled and whose flesh has been torn, and for their sorrowful mothers, and sorrowful fathers.

Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. Matthew 27:29-31 Jesus, you know what it is like to be abandoned and mocked for doing only what is right. We pray for all mothers who have chosen life for their child, that you will be with them in their times of need.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27 Even in the hour of his death, Jesus gave life. He gave to his beloved disciple John, and to all of us, the gift of his mother. And he gave to a mother the gift of her children.

Hail Holy Queen...

The Apostles' Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be, O My Jesus

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here for he has been raised just as he said..." Matthew 28:1-6

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age. Matthew 28: 19-20  As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God. Luke 24:50-53  Thank you Lord, for showing us the way, and for being with us always.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them as tongues of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.  Acts 2:1-4  Holy Spirit, let the fire of your love fall upon fathers, mothers, and the unborn.

Lord, go up to the place of your rest, you and the Ark of your holiness. Psalm 132:8 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 11:19 - 12:1  Holy Mary, Ark of the new Covenant, gentle woman who carried Jesus in your womb, in your arms, and in your heart, pray for your daughters who carry children in their womb. As you were taken up to heaven by the grace of God your savior, we ask your prayer that we your children be raised to eternal life in heaven with you and Jesus.

Other Prayers: Other prayers can be said after the Hail Holy Queen. Listed here are some recommended prayers.

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 thee that in meditating on the mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do thou O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell satan and all other evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls, Amen.

May the Divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.

One Our Father, One Hail Mary, One Glory Be for the intentions of the pope, the Holy Father.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

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