the rosary

Legion of Mary-

The Rosary:

The Rosary is a form of vocal and mental prayer on the Mysteries of our Redemption, divided into fifteen decades. It should be a simple and healing experience. When reciting the Rosary, let Our Blessed Lady guide you as you share her company, meditating on the secrets of her son in your heart. Thus, the recitation of each decade is accompanied by meditation on one of the fifteen events or "mysteries".

The Rosary consists of fifteen Mysteries.
The fifteen Mysteries are divided into three groups, namely: -

• The Joyful Mysteries.
• The Sorrowful Mysteries
• The Glorious Mysteries

The Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries relate to events that took place in the life of Jesus Christ.

The Joyful, Glorious and Sorrowful Mysteries are outlined in more detail, as follows: -

The Joyful Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries are recited on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays of Advent.

1. The Annunciation: -
   
   The Angel Gabriel refers to Mary as being 'full of grace'. He explains to Mary that God is with her and that she is to become the mother of Jesus Christ.
   
   "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus."
   Luke 1: 30-31
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. The Visitation: - Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, to help her. When Elizabeth meets with Mary she says 'Who am I that the mother of my Lord should visit me?'
   
   "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
   Luke 1: 42-43
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. The Nativity: - Mary gives birth to the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
   
   Mary gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.
   Luke 2: 7
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The Presentation: - The parents of Jesus present him in the Temple. Mary is told that a sword of sorrow will pierce her heart.
   
   "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also) that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed".
   Luke 2: 34-35
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: - Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple.
   
   Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them;
   and His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.
   Luke 2: 51-52
   
   

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries are recited on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays of Lent.

1. The Agony in the Garden: - The Agony of Jesus in the Garden.
   Jesus says to his disciples 'My soul is sorrowful, unto death. Stay here and watch with me.'
   
   Jesus prayed: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will"
   Mark 14: 36
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. The Scourging: -
   
   Jesus is scourged at the Pillar.
   
   Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified
   Mark 15: 15
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. The Crowning with Thorns: -
   
   The soldiers remove the clothing from Jesus and place a scarlet cloak around him. They put a crown of thorns on his head and mock him.
   
   The soldiers clothed Him in a purple cloak, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on Him. And they began to salute Him, "Hail King of the Jews!"
   Mark 15: 17-18
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The Carrying of the Cross: -
   Jesus is led away to be crucified. One of the disciples, Simon helped Jesus to carry the Cross, and Veronica wiped his face with a towel.
   
   They took Jesus and they went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the place of the skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.
   John 19: 17
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. The Crucifixion: -
   Jesus is nailed to the cross.
   
   Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father into your hands I commit My spirit!" And having said this He breathed his last.
   Luke 23: 46
   
   

The Glorious Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries are recited on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays after Easter until Advent.

1. The Resurrection: -
   Jesus rises glorious and immortal, three days after His death.
   
   "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as He said."
   Matthew 28: 5-6
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. The Ascension: - Jesus ascends into heaven forty days after his Resurrection.
   
   As the Apostles looked on, Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight
   "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven."
   Acts 1: 9,11
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit: -
   As the disciples and Mary prayed together, the Holy Spirit came upon them.
   
   Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind
   And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterence.
   Acts 2: 2,4
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The Assumption: -
   Mary is taken body and soul into Paradise, and is united with her Divine Son.
   
   Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep
   and so we shall always be with the Lord.
   Thessalonians 4: 14,17
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. The Coronation: -
   
   Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and of Earth.
   
   A great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
   Revelation 12: 1