ROSARY MEDITATIONS- SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

Meditations for the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

A thought is suggested for each of the 10 Hail Marys in each decade. Some people find it helpful simply to gaze at a picture depicting the mystery. The Sorrowful Mysteries are usually prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and also on Sundays during Lent.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

I. The Agony in the Garden

1. After the Last Supper Jesus and the Apostles go to the Garden of Olives.
2. Jesus asks the Apostles to watch with Him.
3. Jesus withdraws and prays.
4. As He thinks of what He is to suffer and of our ingratitude, He is bathed in a sweat of blood.
5. Jesus awakens the Apostles, who have fallen asleep from weariness.
6. He returns to His prayer, and asks His Father that this chalice to pass away.
7. Jesus again finds the Apostles sleeping.
8. He returns to His prayer; an Angel comes to comfort Him.
9. Mary keeps an agonizing vigil.
10. Jesus goes to meet His betrayer.

II. The Scourging

1. The people cry for Christ’s crucifixion.
2. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged even though He is innocent.
3. Jesus is stripped and bound to the pillar.
4. He is scourged by the soldiers.
5. Jesus suffers without complaint.
6. Jesus atones for our sins of the flesh.
7. Mary suffers in compassion.
8. Jesus is scourged above measure.
9. The prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled (53:5).
10. The Holy Shroud bears witness to the lashes.

III. The Crowning with Thorns

1. The soldiers surround Christ and mock Him.
2. Jesus is clothed in royal purple.
3. The soldiers form a crown of thorns and place it on His head.
4. They crush it down so that the thorns pierce His sacred head.
5. The soldiers place a reed in Jesus’ hand and mock Him.
6. They spit upon Him and strike His face.
7. Jesus is beaten with the reed.
8. He suffers meekly.
9. Mary suffers in compassion.
10. Pilate shows Jesus to the people: “Ecce Homo!”

IV. The Carrying of the Cross

1. Pilate, washing his hands, condemns Jesus to death.
2. The Apostles flee in fear.
3. Jesus takes up His cross.
4. He is so weak from the scourging that soon He falls beneath it.
5. The people jeer at Christ.
6. Jesus meets his afflicted Mother.
7. Simon is made to help Jesus carry the cross.
8. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
9. Jesus speaks to the weeping women.
10. Jesus climbs Calvary.

V. The Crucifixion

1. Jesus is stripped of His garments.
2. He is nailed to the cross and it is raised.
3. The soldiers cast lots for Christ’s robe.
4. The people mock Jesus: “If thou art the Christ, come down from the cross!”
5. Jesus prays for His enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
6. He promises paradise to the thief.
7. He leaves us His mother: “Son, behold thy mother!”
8. Jesus gives up His spirit: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.”
9. Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in His Mother’s arms.
10. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

ROSARY MEDITATIONS- JOYFUL MYSTERIES

Meditations for the 5  Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

A thought is suggested for each of the 10 Hail Marys in each decade. Some people find it helpful simply to gaze at a picture depicting the mystery. The Joyful Mysteries are usually prayed on Mondays and Thursdays, and also on Sundays during Advent.

The Five Joyful Mysteries

I. The Annunciation

1. The Angel Gabriel is sent to Nazareth.
2. The Angel greets Mary: “Hail, full of grace; the Lord is with thee.”
3. Mary is troubled at the Angel’s word.
4. Gabriel tells Mary that she is to be the Mother of God.
5. Mary speaks of her virginity: “How shall this be done, since I know not man?”
6. The Angel foretells the Virgin Birth.
7. Gabriel also says that Elizabeth has conceived a child in her old age.
8. Mary consents: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.”
9. The Word is made flesh.
10. Mary adores the God Who has become incarnate within her womb.

II. The Visitation

1. Mary hastens to visit Elizabeth in her time of need.
2. Mary greets Elizabeth.
3. At the sound of Mary’s voice, John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb.
4. Elizabeth praises Mary: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
5. Mary returns praise to God: “My soul doth magnify the Lord...”
6. Mary waits on Elizabeth.
7. John the Baptist is born and the people celebrate.
8. Zachary’s tongue is loosed and he praises God.
9. Joseph fears to take Mary for his spouse.
10. An Angel reassures Joseph, telling him that Mary has conceived by the Holy Ghost.

III. The Birth of Our Lord

1. Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem.
2. They are turned away from the inn; there is no room for them.
3. Joseph finds shelter in a stable.
4. Jesus is born and laid in a manger.
5. The angels announces the birth of Christ to the shepherds.
6. The heavenly host praises God: “Glory to God in the highest...”
7. The shepherds come to worship at the crib.
8. They marvel at the word of the angels.
9. Mary ponders these things in her heart.
10. The Magi come to adore the Christ Child.

IV. The Presentation of Our Lord

1. Mary and Joseph bring the Infant to the Temple.
2. Mary and Joseph make an offering of two doves for the Child.
3. Simeon sees the Christ Child and recognizes the Messias.
4. He receives the Christ Child into his arms.
5. Simeon blesses Mary and Joseph.
6. He foretells the destiny of the Child and the sorrows of His Mother.
7. Anna, who leads a life of prayer and penance, also recognizes the Savior.
8. She speaks of the child to the people.
9. An angel warns the Holy Family to flee into Egypt to escape Herod.
10. The Holy Family returns to Nazareth

V. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple

1. The Holy Family journeys to Jerusalem to celebrate the Pasch.
2. The Holy Family worships at the feast.
3. After the feast, Mary and Joseph leave Jerusalem, not knowing that Jesus remained behind.
4. Jesus is found missing from the caravan after a day’s journey.
5. Mary and Joseph search for three days.
6. Jesus is found in the Temple in the midst of the doctors.
7. Mary receives her Child in Joy and anguish.
8. Jesus speaks of his Father’s work.
9. Jesus returns with Mary and Joseph; Mary ponders in her heart.
10. Jesus grows in wisdom, age and grace.

PRAYERS TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Overwhelmed by so much evil? Here are 3 of St. Michael’s weapons

This archangel fights Satan with the challenge of his own name: Micha-el, meaning Who is like God?

With so much evil confronting us in seemingly every new piece of breaking news, here are three prayers to St. Michael the Archangel, the great archangel-antagonist of Satan.

Bishop Robert Barron recently described St. Michael the Archangel thus: “Michael is invariably depicted in the armor of a warrior, for he is the general of the angelic army that stood athwart the legions of Lucifer, who had dared to arrogate to himself the prerogatives of God. He fought, not with sword and spear, but with the unanswerable challenge of his own name: Micha-el (Who is like God?)”

In our battle against evil — that in ourselves and that in the world — let us call on these prayers.

A Litany of St. Michael

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

[Repeat pray for us after each invocation]
Holy Mary, Queen of the Angels,
St. Michael, the Archangel,
Most glorious attendant of the Triune Divinity,
Standing at the right of the altar of Incense,
Ambassador of Paradise,
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies,
Leader of the Angelic hosts,
The standard-bearer of God’s armies,
Defender of Divine glory,
First defender of the Kingship of Christ,
Strength of God,
Invincible Prince and warrior,
Angel of Peace,
Guide of Christ,
Guardian of the Catholic Faith,
Champion of God’s people,
Guardian Angel of the Eucharist,
Defender of the Church,
Protector of the Sovereign Pontiff,
Angel of Catholic action,
Powerful intercessor of Christians,
Bravest defender of those who hope in God,
Guardian of our souls and bodies,
Healer of the sick,
Help of those in their agony,
Consoler of the Souls in Purgatory,
God’s messenger for the souls of the just,
Terror of the evil spirits,
Victorious in battle against evil,
Guardian and Patron of the universal Church,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Act of Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel

Oh most Noble Prince of the Angelic Hierarchies
valorous warrior of Almighty God,
and zealous lover of His glory,
terror of the rebellious angels,
and love and delight of all the just ones,
my beloved Archangel Saint Michael,
desiring to be numbered among thy devoted servants,
I, today offer and consecrate myself to thee,
and place myself, my family,
and all I possess under thy most powerful protection.

I entreat thee not to look at how little, I,
as thy servant have to offer,
being only a wretched sinner,
but to gaze, rather,
with favorable eye at the heartfelt affection
with which this offering is made,
and remember that if from this day onward
I am under thy patronage,
thou must during all my life assist me,
and procure for me the pardon of my many grievous offenses,
and sins, the grace to love with all my heart my God,
my dear Savior Jesus and my Sweet Mother Mary,
and obtain for me all the help necessary to arrive to my crown
of glory.

Defend me always from my spiritual enemies,
particularly in the last moments of my life.

Come then oh Glorious Prince and succor me in my last struggle,
and with thy powerful weapon cast far from me
into the infernal abysses that prevaricator
and proud angel that one day thou prostrated
in the celestial battle.

Saint Michael, defend us in our daily battle
so that we may not perish in the last Judgment.

Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the malice and wickedness of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY

The Sign of the Cross
IN THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. (When you say “of the Father, ” touch your forehead; when you say “of the Son,” touch your breastbone; when you say “of the Holy Ghost,” touch your left shoulder and then your right shoulder.

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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and 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 Ghost, 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 among 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 Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O My Jesus
(Requested by Our Lady at Fatima in 1917; pray after each decade)
O MY JESUS, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of Thy mercy.

Concluding Rosary Prayer
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, by meditating upon these 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.

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 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!

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the malice and wickedness of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.