
The 5 Decade Dominican Rosary
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"Whatever you ask through the Rosary shall be granted."
--Promise of Our Lady to St. Dominic
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Basic Rosary Prayers and Instructions
We begin with the Sign of the Cross:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then follows an introduction to the
mysteries we will be prayerfully reflecting upon, which is prayed on the pendant
part of the beads.
What is the significance of this introduction? The first
prayer, upon the Crucifix, is the Apostle's Creed, which is a concise summation
of what we believe as Roman Catholic christians. When we say this prayer with
full recollection, we are calling to mind all that we believe. The first Our
Father reminds us of the Sermon on The Mount, and calls to our minds that this
is the pattern of prayer that Jesus gives us. It also has a resonance with Roman
Catholic Liturgy, in which this perfect pattern of prayer is always included.
Not only do we pray the Lord's Prayer at Mass, but also at Lauds and Vespers
(Morning and Evening prayers) in the liturgy of the hours. Finally, the three
Hail Marys are traditionally prayed as a reflection, in turn, on each of the
three theological virtues, Faith, Hope and Charity.
On The Crucifix, we pray theApostles Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended
to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living
and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
the life everlasting. Amen.
Then, on the first Our Father bead, pray an Our Father,reflecting carefully on the meaning of this rich storehouse of prayer.
Our Father, who Art in heaven Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
On each of the next three Ave or Hail Mary beads,focusing prayerfully in turn on each of the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity),
pray a Hail Mary, asking for an increase of these virtues in your life.
Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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Now we begin the main part of the Rosary for the day. For each decade, the following pattern is used:
First,
announce or reflect on the mystery briefly (in private recitation, it is not
necessary to announce the mystery aloud). Traditionally, each mystery has
associated virtues or graces, for which we may pray. The summary below will
include some suggestions for these, but the Rosary is also an intensely personal
prayer. The intention or grace the Holy Spirit suggests to us for prayer, the
prayer of our heart, that is the intention for which we should pray.
Next, on the large Our Father bead, pray the Our Father. On the 10 beads of the decade, pray
the Hail Mary. On the chain divider between the decades, pray the Glory Be or Doxology. You
may also pray the Fatima Prayer. Take another moment to reflect on the mystery, asking for the graces associated with it. Then proceed to the next mystery.
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The Doxology or Glory Be Glory be to
the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be, World without end. Amen
or
Glory be to the Father, and
to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now and will
be forever. Amen
The Fatima Prayer
This was the prayer revealed at Fatima, to be prayed as part of the rosary, for the salvation of souls.
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and bring all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
After the heading for each mystery you will find a brief list of possible intentions for which to pray, as well as
suggestions for the focus of the imagination. However, the prayer of the rosary
is very personal; it may be that the right intention and focus for you will be
gently suggested to you by the Holy Spirit as you pray. For a deeper exploration
of themes and intentions I would recommend devotional works by St. Louis de
Montfort, Our Holy Father John Paul ll and others
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It is worth noting here that the Dominican Order
does not actually begin the recitation of the Rosary in this manner. Rather,
their introduction is drawn in part from the liturgy of the hours. This
resonates with the idea that the Rosary was originally "the poor person's
breviary". Here is its pattern:
THE DOMINICAN WAY OF PRAYING THE ROSARY
Sign ofthe Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
R. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
V. O Lord, open my lips
R. And my tongue shall announce your praise.
V. Incline to my aid, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to he Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia! (Or during Lent: Praise be to You, O Lord, King of eternal glory!)
After this the decades are begun immediately: one Our Father,
ten Hail Marys and one Glory be to the Father, for each decade. (The preliminary
Apostles' Creed, Our Father, three Hail Marys and Glory be are not said.)
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Rosary Index Page
Prayers Before the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Luminous Mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries
Prayers After the Rosary
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