The Rosary is an early form of prayer dating from the early Middle Ages. Through this meditative prayer, we join our prayers with those of the Blessed Virgin Mary in asking God for what we need. As we meditate on the mysteries, we remember to pray that men and women will respond to God’s call to service in the Church. In this time of prayer, we ask for the gift of discernment to know our vocation and follow it with generosity and joy. Discernment is most popularly used for choosing a vocation: priesthood, consecrated life, single life or marriage. During the meditation you could imagine yourself in each vocation, exploring what you would you find attractive or unattractive about each one. The gift of the Rosary is a prayerful way to help us think deeply about our lives and reflect and decide on any choices I need to make.
How to Pray the Rosary On the crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed: On the next single bead, an Our Father. On the next three, pray a Hail Mary each, for an increase in the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. On the next single, a Glory Be.
Each decade begins with a meditation on the mystery, then an Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s and one Glory Be. After all, five decades, pray the Hail, Holy Queen…
Concluding Prayer
Let us pray: O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these holy mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through this same Christ our Lord. Amen.