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The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, "crown of roses"), is an important and traditional devotion of the Roman Catholic Church consisting of a set of prayer beads and a system of set prayers. The Rosary is sometimes used by adherents in other Christian denominations, mainly those in the Catholic tradition, but also some Protestant denominations. Its use is not infrequent among members of the Anglican Communion, and among Old Catholics, Lutherans , and Methodists (Ward 2005). The Rosary combines prayer and meditation centered around sequences of reciting the Lord's Prayer followed by ten recitations of the "Hail Mary" prayer; one such sequence is known as a decade. A complete Rosary involves the completion of all decades, as well as other prefatory and final prayers.

John Paul II, in his Apostolic Letter of October 16, 2002 Rosarium Virginis Mariae , recommended a new set of five decades in addition to the former standard of fifteen. As a result, some say a complete rosary of twenty decades, and some who do not recognize the Pope's addition use fifteen decades.

Origins of the Rosary

Prayer beads are also found in many other religions (notably Hinduism, where the practice appears to have started), and some have been found dating back to antiquity. Similar prayer counters (originally using knotted ropes) date to about the fourth century, when they were used to pray the Jesus prayer. Other counting methods, such as pebbles or pegboards, were also used by the early Desert Fathers .

According to tradition, in 1214 the Virgin Mary gave to St. Dominic the basic form of the Rosary as it is known today, with minor variations in the wording of the Hail Mary, such as the addition of the Name "Jesus" by St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444). In the words of the Catholic Encyclopedia, "the lesson for the Feast of the Holy Rosary informs us that when the Albigensian heresy was devastating the country of Toulouse, St. Dominic earnestly besought the help of Our Lady and was instructed by her, so tradition asserts, to preach the Rosary among the people as an antidote to heresy and sin. From that time forward this manner of prayer was 'most wonderfully published abroad and developed (promulgari augerique coepit) by St. Dominic whom different Supreme Pontiffs have in various past ages of their apostolic letters declared to be the institutor and author of the same devotion.' That many popes have so spoken is undoubtedly true, and amongst the rest we have a series of encyclicals, beginning in 1883, issued by Pope Leo XIII, which, while commending this devotion to the faithful in the most earnest terms, assumes the institution of the Rosary by St. Dominic to be a fact historically established."

However, the Catholic Encyclopedia goes on to conclude that Alan de Rupe, a Dominican involved in the promotion of the rosary in the late 15th century, invented the story. As the table below shows, the use of prayer beads and the Hail Mary predated Dominic by some time, and the practice of the rosary cannot be said to have been introduced by any one person. Rather, like other Catholic practices, it evolved over a period of centuries.

The earliest prayer counted in this way appears to be the Jesus Prayer, which is still the prayer used by the Eastern church with its prayer ropes. Later, counting of Our Fathers (Paternosters), i.e. the Lord's Prayer, became common practice as a substitute for saying the Psalms, among illiterate "lay brothers" or in military orders where saying the Psalms would have taken too much time. Because there are 150 Psalms, 150 or 50 Paternosters were said. Strings of beads used for counting these are known from at least the 11th century, and by the 13th century were widely known as "paternosters", after the prayers. However, during approximately the same period the Hail Mary began to gain currency as a devotion and, since it was also repeated, began to be counted on beads.

In Eastern Orthodox practice, the repeated recitation of the Jesus Prayer may substitute for the Psalms or other parts of the liturgy, in a parallel to the medieval practice referred to above.

Key Dates

The following table shows key dates in the development of the rosary.

Rosary beads

A set of Rosary beads usually contains 50 beads in groups of ten (a decade), with an additional large bead before each decade. Some beads have been known to have one hundred or one hundred and fifty. These numbers were chosen to match the number of psalms, or a third or two-thirds of them. Although counting the prayers on a string of beads is customary, the prayers of the Rosary do not actually require a set of beads, but can be said using any type of counting device, or even by counting on one's fingers.

The beads can be made from a wide variety of materials, including wood, bone, glass, semi-precious stones such as agate, jet, amber, or jasper, or precious materials including coral, rock crystal, gilded silver and gold. In the 19th and early 20th century they are sometimes made from the seeds of the "rosary pea" or "bead tree". Modern beads are most often glass, resin (plastic) or wood. Early rosaries were strung on strong thread, often silk, but modern ones are more often made as a series of chain-linked beads.

It is especially common for beads to be made of material with some special significance, such as jet from the shrine of St. James at Compostela, or olive seeds supposedly from the Garden of Gethsemane. Beads are sometimes made to enclose sacred relics, or drops of holy water.

A set of blessed Rosary Beads is considered a sacramental.

What distinguishes the "official" Rosary from other forms of repetitive prayer is that, along with the verbal prayers, it includes a series of meditations. Each decade of the Rosary is said while meditating on one of the "Mysteries" of redemption. These mysteries originated in the 15th century, and while there has been some disagreement on them (the final mystery is sometimes the Last Judgement) the earliest sets bear a remarkable resemblance to those still used.

Many similar prayer practices exist in Roman Catholicism and elsewhere, each with its own set of prescribed prayers and its own form of bead counters. These other devotions and their associated beads are usually referred to as "chaplets."

The Mysteries

The recitation of the Rosary is traditionally dedicated to one of three sets of "Mysteries" to be said in sequence, one per night: the Joyful (sometimes Joyous) Mysteries; the Sorrowful Mysteries; and the Glorious Mysteries. Each of these three sets of Mysteries has within it five different themes to be meditated on, one for each decade of ten Hail Marys. Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (October 2002), recommended an additional set called the Luminous Mysteries (or the "Mysteries of Light").

(The list of mysteries below corresponds to moments in the life and death of Jesus and Mary chronologically.)

Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fruit of the Mystery: Humility
2. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fruit of the Mystery: Love of Neighbor
3. The Nativity of Our Lord Fruit of the Mystery: Love of God
4. The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience
5. The Finding in the Temple Fruit of the Mystery: Zeal for God

Luminous Mysteries (optional)

1. The Baptism of Jesus Fruit of the Mystery: Openess to the Holy Spirit
2. The Wedding at Cana Fruit of the Mystery: To Jesus through Mary
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God Fruit of the Mystery: Repentance and Trust in God
4. The Transfiguration Fruit of the Mystery: Desire for Holiness
5. The Institution of the Eucharist Fruit of the Mystery: Adoration

Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden Fruit of the Mystery: Repentance
2. The Scourging at the Pillar Fruit of the Mystery: Purity
3. The Crowning with Thorns Fruit of the Mystery: Courage
4. The Carrying of the Cross Fruit of the Mystery: Patience
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Christ
2. The Ascension of Christ
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
5. The Coronation of Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven

Days of recitation

For groups who say the Luminous Mysteries

• The Joyful Mysteries are recited on Mondays and Saturdays.
• The Luminous are recited on Thursdays
• The Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Friday
• The Glorious Mysteries on Wednesdays and Sundays.

For groups who do not say the Luminous Mysteries

• The Joyful Mysteries on Mondays and Thursdays.
• The Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays.
• The Glorious on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Types of Rosaries

Some national variations in terms of prayers used and structure occur in the form of the recitation of the Rosary.

• Rosary Use this software to learn, how to pray the rosary

One frequently used form

• a sign of the cross on the Crucifix and then the "Apostles' Creed";
• an "Our Father" on the first large bead;
• a "Hail Mary" on each of the three small beads as follows:
  1. Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with Thee, blessed art Thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus, who increases our faith...
  2. Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with Thee, blessed art Thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus, who strengthens our hope...
  3. Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with Thee, blessed art Thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus, who perfects our love...
• a "Glory Be to the Father" on the next large bead;
• a "Fatima Prayer" on the large bead;
• an "Our Father" on the large bead;
• a "Hail Mary" on each of the adjacent ten small beads;
• a "Glory Be to the Father" on the next large bead;
• again an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, the Glory Be to the Father, and Fatima Prayer for each of the following decades;
• a "Hail Mary" and a sign of the cross.

A regularly used alternative

• Opening prayer (variable)
• One "Our Father", three "Hail Marys", one "Glory Be to the Father"
• Decade 1: One "Our Father", Ten "Hail Marys", One "Glory Be to the Father"
• Fatima Prayer
• Decade 2
• Fatima Prayer
• Decade 3
• Fatima Prayer
• Decade 4
• Fatima Prayer
• Decade 5

• Hail Holy Queen
• Litany(the response after each is "Pray for Us")

Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Savior, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the Sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of Angels, Queen of Patriarchs, Queen of Prophets, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Confessors, Queen of Virgins, Queen of all Saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Queen of Peace. Pray for Us.

• Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
• R/ Have Mercy on Us

• Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
• R/ Have Mercy on Us

• Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.
• R/ Hear Our Prayer

• Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
• R/ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

• Final prayer (variable)
• One Our Father, three Hail Marys, One Glory be to the Father.

Single-decade Rosaries

Single-decade Rosary variations can be worn as a ring or carried easily. These small Rosaries were used in the 16th Century as persecution became pronounced, but are popular today. A rosary ring is a ring worn around the finger with 10 indentations and a cross on the surface, representing one decade of a rosary. This is often worn as jewelry, and used through the day. Some ring Rosaries use a small bearing on the inside of the ring to permit easy turning. A finger Rosary is similar to a ring, but is a bit larger. Rosary like these are used by rotating them on a finger while praying. A hand Rosary is a decade in a complete loop, with one bead separated from ten other beads, this is meant to be carried while walking or running, so as not to entangle the larger type. Credit card-sized Rosarys have also appeared, especially among members of militaries, where holes or bumps represent the prayers, and the person praying moves their fingers along the bumps to count prayers.

Rosaries in other Christian denominations

Eastern Christians use similar strings of beads, called "chotki," to pray, although among the Orthodox their use is mainly restricted to monks and bishops, not being common among laity or secular clergy. Many Eastern Christians use a prayer rope instead; its use is much more prevalent, and it is typically associated with the Jesus Prayer.

Another form of prayer beads is popular with some members of the Anglican Communion. Originally called Anglican prayer beads, this bead set is also known as the "Anglican Rosary" or as "Christian prayer beads" because of the popularity it has found among Protestants generally. Anglican bead sets contain 28 beads in groups of seven (the "weeks"), with an additional large bead before each. In total, there are thirty-three beads representing the years of Jesus' life on Earth. The most common prayer used is the Jesus Prayer, but there are no appointed prayers or meditations. This relatively new form of the rosary used by some in the Anglican tradition is somewhat similar in appearance to the Roman Rosary.

Other faiths also use similar objects for prayer, including Sufi Muslims, certain Buddhist groups, and some Hindus (see japa mala), among others.

Rosaries worn outside of religion

Rosaries or rosary-like necklaces are often worn for non-religious purposes as a fashion or jewelery item, and are sold in different variations in popular jewelry and clothing stores. Such ornamental use, especially the wearing of a rosary around the neck, was heavily popularized by singer Madonna in the early 1980s and has experienced a come-back in recent years.

Many Catholics have been told that it is improper or even sacrilegious to wear a rosary as a necklace, but in fact this was not an uncommon practice in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Rosaries were also worn hanging from or looped over a belt, pinned to and hanging from a shoulder or neckline, or wrapped around a wrist or arm as a bracelet.

As Penance

The Rosary was also used as a form of punishment by the Catholic Church in Europe during the Middle Ages. People were often forced to wear extremely large, and heavy Rosary beads around their necks, and forced to stand at the entrance of a cathedral, where they could be ridiculed by the public. Victims of this act were often punished for minor sacreligious acts, such as falling asleep in church, not donating enough money during collections, or just skipping church altogether.

Praying the rosary is often prescribed by priests as a form of penance after confession, though it is notable that penance in this form is usually meant to aid reflection and spiritual growth from sins, not as "punishment" for them.

See also

• Legion of Mary
• Rosary Army
• Azapa Valley

References

• Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy: A Consideration of the Rosary by J. Neville Ward (Doubleday, 1973); revised as Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy: Meditations on the Rosary (Seabury Classics, 2005) - a Methodist minister's book on the Rosary. ISBN 1596280123

• "Stories of the Rose: The Making of the Rosary in the Middle Ages" by Anne Winston-Allen (1997, Pennsylvania State University Press) - the most current source in English on the history and development of the Rosary in its earliest years. ISBN 0-2710-1631-0

External links

Roman Catholic

After the addition of the Luminous Mysteries

• Rosary - A Windows program which teaches how to pray the rosary
• How to pray the Rosary in English
• Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Virtual Rosary Online interactive Rosary and global prayer network
• Knights of Columbus, promotion of the Rosary is a key mission
• Praying the Rosary History, meaning, prayers, and mysteries of the rosary
• Rosary Center A website maintained by the Dominican Fathers and Headquarters of the Rosary Confraternity
• 59Beads.com An online meditative prayer aide
• Thesaurus Precum Latinarum the Rosary in Latin

Before or without the inclusion of the Luminous Mysteries

• Catholic Encylopedia entry on the Rosary
• Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Hail Mary
• Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Dominic of Prussia
• Index of documents about the rosary
• Apostolic Constitution of Pius V establishing the first 15 mysteries
• Naturalism and the Rosary Criticism of Pope John Paul II's addition of the Luminous Mysteries
• Secrets of the Rosary St. Louis de Montfort's 16th-century text online, with many anecdotes about the benefits of the Rosary
• Paternoster-Row, a website on rosary history, historical rosaries and paternosters
• Paternosters blog, weekly articles on rosary history
• How To Pray The Rosary by Trinity London

Other

• Cathedral Rosaries - A site featuring fine Anglican rosaries
• Article "Rosary" in the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Etymology Online's entry for "rosary"
• Ecumenical Rosary An alternative Christian rosary
• Lutheran views on the rosary
• Anglican Franciscan Brothers Anglican Rosary
• Eastern Orthodox liturgical practice including repeated prayers
• Hindu Rosary Rudraksha

• Rosary
• Religious objects
• Roman Catholic religious objects