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"All generations will call me blessed": "The
Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian
worship." The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special
devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been
honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the
faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special
devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to
the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and
greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the
Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the
whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary. (CCC 971)
Feast
of the Holy Rosary
The feast of the Holy Rosary
was established by Saint Pius V on the anniversary of the naval
victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto, October 7, 1571.
The victory was attributed to the help of the holy Mother of
God whose aid was invoked through praying the rosary. The celebration
of this day invites all to mediate upon the mysteries of Christ,
following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was so singularly
associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection
of the Son of God.
The Joyful
Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]
The Luminous
Mysteries
1. Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan (II Corinthians 5:21, Matthew
3:17 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Gratitude for the gift of Faith]
2. Jesus' self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John
2:1- 12) [Spiritual fruit - Fidelity]
3. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to
conversion (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48, John 20:22-23)
[Spiritual fruit - Desire for Holiness]
4. Jesus' Transfiguration (Luke 9:35 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Spiritual Courage]
5. Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression
of the Paschal Mystery. (Luke 24:13-35 and parallels, 1 Corinthians
11:24-25) [Spiritual fruit - Love of our Eucharistic Lord]
The Sorrowful
Mysteries
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke
23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49,
John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]
The Glorious
Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]
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