Tuesday 27 December 2011

Day 17: Joyful Mysteries


 "Let the soul of Holy Mary be in each of us to glorify the Lord. Let the spirit of Holy Mary be in each of us to rejoice in God."
- St. Ambrose
* Sign of the cross

*Novena Prayer:

My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: 

(Mention your request)

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s Holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.
 I offer you this spiritual “Bouquet of Roses” because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

* Hail Mary

* Recite the petition prayer as follows:
Hail Queen of the Most Holy Rosary my Mother Mary, Hail!  At your feet I humbly kneel to offer you a Crown of Roses, snow-white buds to remind you of your joys, each bud recalling to you a holy mystery; each ten bound together with my petition for a particular grace.
O Holy Queen dispenser of God's graces and Mother of all who invoke you! You cannot not look upon my gift and fail to see its binding.  As you receive my gift, so will you receive my petition; from your bounty you will give me the favor I so earnestly and trustingly seek.
I despair of nothing that I ask of you.  Show yourself, my Mother!

* Say:

(1) Apostle's Creed
(1)Our Father
(3) Hail Mary
(1) Glory be
(1) Fatima Prayer

* The First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation

“In the 6th month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her he said, “Hail! Favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 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 name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High”…And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
                Luke 1: 26-38

Oh Mary, with Your "yes" You have opened heaven's ways, You have achieved the will of the Father. You will be blessed for ever: Your intercession is heard in Heaven, because You have accepted God's plan.

Sweet Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to you with the tidings that you were to become the Mother of God; greeting you with the sublime salutation, Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with thee!" and you humbly submitted yourself to the will of the Father, responding; "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Be it done unto me according to Your word" Let us pray that we can say "yes" to the Father in every instance He ask it of us. Mary help us to be humble and obedient to God's will.

I humbly pray...

*Say:

(1) Our Father
(10) Hail Mary
(1) Glory Be
(1) Fatima Prayer

I bind these snow white buds with a petition for the virtue of: THE LOVE OF HUMILITY
I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Second Joyful Mystery
The Visitation

Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda. And entered into the house of Zacharias, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb". ... And Mary said, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; for my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name"...
Luke 1:39-49

Sweet Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of The Visitation, when, upon your visit to your holy cousin, Elizabeth, she greeted you with prophetic utterance, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"  And, you answered with the canticles, The Magnificat. Lord help us to carry Christ to others, like Mary did. Let us ask Mary the gift of burning charity.

I humbly pray:  

*Say:

(1) Our Father
(10) Hail Mary
(1) Glory Be
(1) Fatima Prayer
 
I bind these snow white buds with a petition for the virtue of: CHARITY TOWARDS MY NEIGHBOR

I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Third Joyful Mystery
The Nativity

And so it was, that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there shepherds in that region living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were afraid. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid: for, behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a Saviour a savior has been born which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger".
Luke 2: 6-12

Sweet Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of The Nativity of our Lord, when, your time being completed, you brought forth, O Holy Virgin, the Redeemer of the World in a stable at Bethlehem; where choirs of angels filled the heavens with their exultant song of praise---"Glory to God in the Highest, on earth peace to men of good will."   Let us ask Mary to make us love Jesus more, and also the gift of poverty of spirit.

I humbly pray...

*Say:

(1) Our Father
(10) Hail Mary
(1) Glory Be
(1) Fatima Prayer
 
I bind these snow white buds with a petition for the virtue of: THE SPIRIT OF POVERTY

I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Fourth Joyful Mystery 
The Presentation

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ...When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said: " Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have you’re your salvation... A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people of Israel." And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken about him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Luke 2: 22-35

Sweet Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of The Presentation, when, in obedience to the Law of Moses, you presented the Child in the Temple, where the holy prophet Simeon, taking the child in his arms, offered thanks to God for sparing him to look upon his Saviour and foretold thy sufferings by the words, "thy soul also a sword shall pierce..." We need to pay attention to the voice of God, to discern His call and accept the mission He gave us. After the Simeon prophecy, Mary takes into Her Heart the wound of sorrow, but in the silence she accepts the will of Her Father.

I humbly pray...

*Say:

(1) Our Father
(10) Hail Mary
(1) Glory Be
(1) Fatima Prayer
 
I bind these snow white buds with a petition for the virtue of: PURITY AND OBEDIENCE

I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Fifth Joyful Mystery
Finding of the Child Jesus in The Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother did not know. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their relatives and acquaintances. And when they didn’t find him, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said to him: "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety". And he said to them: "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I would be in my Father’s house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Luke 2: 41-51

Sweet Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, when having sought him for three days, sorrowing, your heart was gladdened when you found him in the Temple speaking to the doctors; and when, upon your request, He obediently returned home with you. Let us think of how many times we have been far from Jesus; from that Jesus, who with so much love has died for us. Let us meditate that in the difficulties of life the only safety is finding Jesus and never again leaving his great love.

I humbly pray:

*Say:

(1) Our Father
(10) Hail Mary
(1) Glory Be
(1) Fatima Prayer

I bind these snow white buds with a petition for the virtue of: piety

I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, really present in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, since I cannot now receive You under the sacramental veil, I ask You, with a heart full of love and longing, to come spiritually into my soul through the Immaculate heart of Your most Holy Mother, and abide with me forever; You in me, and I in You in time and in eternity, in Mary.

*Prayer in Petition

Sweet Mother Mary, I offer you this Spiritual Communion to bind my bouquets in a wreath to place upon your brow.  O my Mother! Look with favor upon my gift, and in your love obtain for me (specify request).

O God! Who’s only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the reward of eternal life; grant, we ask You, that, meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.  Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the divine assistance remain always with us.  Amen.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Holy Virgin, with the loving Child, thy blessing give to us this day.

*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. Oh clement, Oh loving, Oh sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, Oh Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

*MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.
 
* PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL
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 the other evil spirits, who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
 
*The Sign of the Cross

Day 16: Glorious Mysteries


 "By her maternal charity, Mary cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are lead by God's Grace into their blessed home."
-Second Vatican Council
* The Sign of the Cross

*Novena Prayer:

My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: 

(Mention your request)

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s Holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.
 I offer you this spiritual “Bouquet of Roses” because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

*Hail Mary

* Recite the petition prayer as follows:

Hail Queen of the Most Holy Rosary my Mother Mary, Hail!  At your feet I gratefully kneel to offer you a Crown of Roses, full blown white roses, tinged with red of the passion, with a glow of yellow light, to remind you of the glories, fruits and sufferings of you and your Son, each rose recalling to you a holy mystery; each ten bound together with my petition for a particular grace.
O Holy Queen dispenser of God's graces and Mother of all who invoke you! You cannot not look upon my gift and fail to see its binding.  As you receive my gift, so you will receive my petition; from your bounty you will give me the favor I so earnestly and trustingly seek.
I despair of nothing that I ask of you.  Show yourself my Mother!



* Say:

(1) Apostle's Creed
(1) Our Father
(3) Hail Mary
(1) Glory Be
(1) Fatima Prayer

*The First Glorious Mystery,
THE RESURRECTION

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, came 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, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it…. And the angel answered and said to the women: "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here. For he is risen, as he said".
Mathew 28: 1-6

The risen Jesus has proved that man, together with Him, can have power over sin and therefore death. Jesus, help raise us, deliver us from sin, from evil, give us Your light, give us Your joy. Rekindle inside us the love, the faith, the hopefulness, and the gift of prayer. Let us ask Mary for the gift of an unshakeable faith.

O glorious Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of the Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead, when on the morning of the third day after His death and burial, He arose from the dead and appeared to thee, dear Mother, and filled thy heart with unspeakable joy; then appeared to the holy women, and to His disciples, who adored Him as their risen God.

I humbly pray:

*Say:
(1)Our Father
(10)Hail Mary
(1)Glory Be
(1)Fatima Prayer

I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of: FAITH

I humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.       

*The Second Glorious Mystery
 THE ASCENSION

While they were still speaking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."  But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions come up in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you can see I have." And having said this, he showed to them his hands and his feet. ... "And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." And he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them.  AS he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.
Luke 24: 36-51

Jesus, You have not deserted Your apostles in anguish, but have given them the joy of knowing Jesus "glorified" over 40 days . After Your Ascension, You granted to all those who seek You the gift of receiving You in the Eucharist. Through Mary we trust in you. Mary, give us the gift of hope.

O glorious Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of the Ascension, when thy divine Son, after forty days on earth, went to Mount Olivet accompanied by His disciples and thee, where all adored Him for the last time, after which He promised to remain with them until the end of the world; then, extending His pierced hands over all in a last blessing, as ascended before their eyes into heaven,

I humbly pray:

*Say:
(1)Our Father
(10)Hail Mary
(1)Glory Be
(1)Fatima Prayer

I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of: HOPE  

I humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.

The Third Glorious Mystery
THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, 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 where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, and it came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Acts 2: 1-4

Jesus, infuse us with the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, enlighten us with the light of Your Spirit, with His strength enter in the deepest parts of our hearts and heal us. Deliver us, fill up our hearts with Your love. Make us apostles of Yours, dear Lord. Let us ask Mary the gift of true love, the gift of prayer from the heart. "Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved Spouse."

O glorious Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of the Descent of the Holy Ghost, when, the apostles being assembled with thee in a house in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, inflaming the hearts of the apostles with the fire of divine love, teaching them all truths, giving to them the gift of tongues, and, filling thee with the plenitude of His grace, inspired thee to pray for the apostles and the first Christians,

I humbly pray:

*Say:
(1)Our Father
(10)Hail Mary
(1)Glory Be
(1)Fatima Prayer

I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of: LOVE               

I humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.

*The Fourth Glorious Mystery
THE ASSUMPTION OF OUT BLESSED MOTHER INTO HEAVEN

Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, who guided your blow at the head of the chief of our enemies...With your own hand you have done all this; you have done good to Israel, and God is pleased with what you have wrought. May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty forever and ever!
Judith 13: 18-20; 15, 10


Now that Mary is raised into heaven, She prays for Her sons and daughters, those sons and daughters Jesus left Her when He was on the cross. Mary, pray for us, You know our fears, take us into Your Heart, the Heart of a Mother. Help us now and in the time of our death to be with You in Heaven. We ask of you a devotion to Your Immaculate Heart, where we may take refuge in times of trouble.

O glorious Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of Thy Assumption into Heaven, when, consumed with the desire to be united with thy divine Son in heaven, thy soul departed from thy body and united itself to Him, Who, out of the excessive love He bore for thee, His Mother, whose virginal body was His first tabernacle, took that body into heaven and there, amidst the acclaims of the angels and saints, reinfused into it thy soul.

I humbly pray:

*Say:
(1)Our Father
(10)Hail Mary
(1)Glory Be
(1)Fatima Prayer

I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of: UNION WITH CHRIST       

I humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet

*The Fifth Glorious Mystery
THE CORONATION OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER IN HEAVEN AS ITS QUEEN

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 12 stars.
                Revelations 12: 1

Let us trust in Mary, Let us call to Her, let us love Her, let us confide in Her, because She gives Her all to us. We have a Mother in Heaven who is also a Queen; thus we need to turn to Her with full faith and hopefulness. If we ask for something while praying the Holy Rosary, it will be granted to us. Ask Her for the gift of prayer, a prayer of the heart, said only for love, a love for Her and Jesus. Let us also ask for a consistency of prayer, to always be joined to Her Heart, and therefore to the Heart of Jesus.

O glorious Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of Thy Coronation in Heaven, when, upon being taken up to heaven after thy death, thou wert triply crowned as the August Queen of Heaven by God the Father as His beloved Daughter, by God the Son as His dearest Mother, and by God the Holy Ghost as His chaste Spouse; the most perfect adorer of the Blessed Trinity, pleading our cause as our most powerful and merciful Mother, through thee,

I humbly pray:

*Say:
(1)Our Father
(10)Hail Mary
(1)Glory Be
(1)Fatima Prayer

I bind these full-blown roses with a petition for the virtue of: ETERNAL SALVATION       

I humbly lay this bouquet at thy feet.               

*SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, really present in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, since I cannot now receive You under the sacramental veil, I ask You, with a heart full of love and longing, to come spiritually into my soul through the Immaculate heart of Your most Holy Mother, and abide with me forever; You in me, and I in You in time and in eternity, in Mary.

*PRAYER IN PETITION

Sweet Mother Mary, I offer you this Spiritual Communion to bind my bouquets in a wreath to place upon your brow.  O my Mother! Look with favor upon my gift, and in your love obtain for me (specify request).

O God! Who’s only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the reward of eternal life; grant, we ask You, that, meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.  Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the divine assistance remain always with us.  Amen.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Holy Virgin, with the loving Child, thy blessing give to us this day.

*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. Oh clement, Oh loving, Oh sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, Oh Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

*MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.

* PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL
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 the other evil spirits, who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

*The Sign of the Cross