Day 41: Joyful Mysteries

* Sign of the cross

*Say this Novena prayer to begin:

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 thanksgiving prayer as follows:

Hail Queen of the Most Holy Rosary my Mother Mary, Hail!  At thy feet I gratefully 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 look upon my gift and fail to see its binding.  As you receive my gift, so you will receive my thanksgiving; from your bounty you have given me the favor I so earnestly and trustingly sought.

I did not despair of what I asked of you, and you have truly shown 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 6^th 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 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

The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates the ‘fullness of time’ (Gal 4:4), the time of fulfilment of God’s promises and preparations (CCC, 484).

Mary, you received with deep humility the news of the Angel Gabriel that you were to be the Mother of the Son of God. Grant that I may always accept the will of God with humility like yours.

Amen

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 Elisabeth 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

Mary’s visitation of Elizabeth thus became a visit from God to His people (CCC, 717).

Mary, you showed true charity in visiting Elizabeth and remaining with her for three months before the birth of John the Baptist. Grant me the grace to support and love my neighbor.

Amen

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

Jesus was born in a humble stable to a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven’s glory was made manifest (CCC, 535).

Mary, you lovingly accepted the poverty of the stable, although you were to give birth to our God and Redeemer. Grant me the grace to endure poverty when I long for richer things.

Amen

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

Jesus’ circumcision, on the 8^th day after his birth, is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham’s descendants, into the people of the covenant. It is the sign of his submission to the Law (CCC, 527).

Mary, you observed the law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the temple. Help me to grow in the virtue of obedience.

Amen

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

The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of his total concescration to a mission that flows from his divine sonship: “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s work?” (Lk 2:49) (CCC, 534).

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 THANKSGIVING

Sweet Mother Mary, I offer you this Spiritual Communion to bind my bouquets in a wreath to place upon your brow in thanksgiving for (specify request) which you in your love has obtained for me.

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