Monday 6 February 2012

Day 52: Glorious Mysteries


* 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 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, 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 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 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

“If Christ had not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor 15:14). The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings (CCC, 651).

Jesus, You rose from the dead in triumph and remained for forty days with Your disciples, instructing and encouraging them. Grant me the desire to always have faith in You, my Risen Lord.
Amen.

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

This final stage stays closely linked to the first, that is, to his descent from heaven in the Incarnation. Only the one who ‘came from the Father’ can return to the Father: Christ Jesus.

Jesus, You instilled in the disciples the virtue of hope in life everlasting and commanded them to carry Your Gospel throughout the world. As You sit at the Father’s right hand in heaven, grant me the grace to grow in the virtue of hope and inspire me to lead others to you.
Amen.

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

‘Holy Spirit’ is the proper name of the one whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children (CCC, 691).

Jesus, Your disciples received the Holy Spirit to foster their love for You. Grant that I may show my love for You by proclaiming the Good News of salvation.
Amen.


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 the earth; 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

The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body (CCC, 974).

Mary, you were assumed body and soul into heaven by the power of God, and united with your Divine Son, Jesus. Obtain eternal happiness with Him for me.
Amen.

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

Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exaulted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of Lords and conqueror of sin and death (CCC, 966).

Mary, you humbled yourself before God and you were crowned Queen of Heaven. Bless me with the love of the Holy Trinity and intercede for me in Heaven.
Amen.

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 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


Sunday 5 February 2012

Day 51: Sorrowful Mysteries


* 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 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, blood red roses, to remind you of the passion of your divine Son, with whom you did fully partake in its bitterness--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 Sorrowful Mystery
THE AGONY
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And he took Peter with him and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and distressed. Then said he to them: “My soul is sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me". And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying: "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Mathew 26:36-39

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:44

Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the Tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony (CCC, 2849).

Jesus, You suffered a bitter agony in the Garden of Gethsemane because of our sins. Lead me to prayer in my time of need and grant me true contrition for my sins.
Amen.

I humbly pray:

*Say:

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

I bind these blood-red roses with a petition for the virtue of: TRUE CONTRITION FOR SIN
I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Second Sorrowful Mystery
THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR

As soon as the morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound Jesus, led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying: “Are you the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “You say so”.  Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed… "Then what do you want me to do with the man you call king of the Jews?" They said to him, "Let him be crucified!" And Pilate said," Why, what evil has he done?" But they cried out louder, saying, "Crucify him!" And so Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and delivered Jesus to be scoured and crucified.
Mar 15: 1-16

Jesus’ sufferings took their historical, concrete form from the fact that he was ‘rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes’ (Mk 8:31), who ‘handed him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scoured and crucified’ (Mt 20:19) (CCC, 572).

Jesus, You remained pure of heart even when Your flesh was torn and scoured by those who hated You. Help me to grow in the virtue of purity even when I suffer.
Amen.

I humbly pray:

*Say:

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

I bind these blood-red roses with a petition for the virtue of: PURITY

I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Third Sorrowful Mystery
THE CROWNING WITH THORNS

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered the whole band of soldiers around him. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet military robe. Weaving a crown of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand.  Kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spat upon him, and took the reed, striking him on the head. And after they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Mathew 27:27-31

It is love “to the end” (Jn 13:1) that confers on Christ’s sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life (CCC, 616).

Jesus, You patiently endured the pain from the crown of sharp thorns that was forced upon Your head. Grant me the strength to have moral courage to follow You.
Amen.

I humbly pray

*Say:

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

I bind these blood-red roses with a petition for the virtue of: MORAL COURAGE
I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS

And as they led him away, they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and on him they laid the cross, and they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women, who mourned and lamented him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts which never nursed". ... And there were also two other, criminals, were led away with him to be executed
Luke 23: 26-32

By accepting in his human will that the Father’s will be done, he accepts his death as redemptive, for “he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Pt 2: 24)(CCC, 612).

Jesus, You willingly carried Your Cross for love of Your Father and all people. Grant me forbearance and patience to carry my cross in difficult moments.
Amen.

I humbly pray:

*Say:

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

I bind these blood-red roses with a petition for the virtue of: PATIENCE IN ADVERSITY

I humbly lay this bouquet at your feet.

*The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
THE CRUCIFIXTION

Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her into his own home.
John 19: 25-27

“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3)(CCC, 619).

Jesus, You bravely endured torture on the Cross and gave up Your life for the salvation of all humankind. Grant me peace of mind, body, and spirit, and the grace of perseverance in adversity.
Amen.

I humbly pray:

*Say:

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

I bind these blood-red roses with a petition for the virtue of: LOVE OF OUR ENEMIES

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