What is the historical origin of the rosary. How are rosary beads used in prayer and meditation. What do the different parts of a rosary symbolize. How has the rosary evolved over time. What role does the rosary play in modern Catholic practice.

The Origins and Evolution of the Rosary

The rosary has a rich history within the Catholic tradition, dating back centuries. Its origins can be traced to the early Middle Ages, when lay people sought ways to participate in the monastic practice of praying the 150 Psalms. Unable to read or memorize these complex texts, they instead recited 150 Our Father prayers, often using knotted cords to keep count.

Over time, this practice evolved to include the Hail Mary prayer, which gained popularity in the 12th century. By the 13th century, the rosary had taken on a form similar to what we see today, with sets of beads used to count prayers and meditate on the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Key Developments in Rosary History

• 9th century: Use of knotted cords to count prayers
• 12th century: Introduction of the Hail Mary prayer
• 13th century: Development of the modern rosary structure
• 15th century: Dominic of Prussia introduces meditation on the life of Jesus
• 16th century: Pope Pius V standardizes the 15 mysteries of the rosary
• 2002: Pope John Paul II adds the Luminous Mysteries

The Structure and Symbolism of the Rosary

A typical rosary consists of a crucifix, followed by one large bead and three smaller beads, then a circular string of five sets of ten small beads, each set separated by a larger bead. This structure is rich with symbolism and meaning.

Components of the Rosary and Their Significance

1. Crucifix: Represents the central role of Christ’s sacrifice
2. Large beads: Used for praying the Our Father
3. Small beads: Used for praying the Hail Mary
4. Five sets of ten: Represent the five decades, each focused on a specific mystery
5. Medal: Often depicts the Virgin Mary or a saint

Why are there 59 beads on a rosary? The 59 beads correspond to the prayers recited during a full rosary: 53 Hail Marys, 6 Our Fathers, and various other prayers at the beginning and end.

The Mysteries of the Rosary: A Journey Through Christ’s Life

Central to praying the rosary is meditation on the Mysteries – key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. These Mysteries are divided into four sets: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious.

The Four Sets of Mysteries

• Joyful Mysteries: Focus on Christ’s birth and early life
• Luminous Mysteries: Highlight Jesus’ public ministry
• Sorrowful Mysteries: Reflect on Christ’s Passion and death
• Glorious Mysteries: Celebrate the Resurrection and beyond

How do these Mysteries enhance prayer? By meditating on these events, the faithful deepen their understanding of Christ’s life and teachings, fostering a closer spiritual connection.

The Rosary as a Tool for Prayer and Meditation

The rosary serves as more than just a physical object; it’s a powerful tool for prayer and meditation. The repetitive nature of the prayers creates a rhythmic, meditative state, allowing the faithful to focus deeply on the Mysteries and their spiritual significance.

Benefits of Praying the Rosary

• Promotes inner peace and calm
• Deepens understanding of Christ’s life
• Strengthens faith and devotion
• Provides comfort in times of stress or grief
• Fosters a sense of community when prayed in groups

How does the physical act of handling rosary beads enhance prayer? The tactile experience of moving the beads helps maintain focus and provides a tangible connection to the spiritual practice.

The Rosary in Modern Catholic Practice

Despite societal changes and modernization within the Church, the rosary remains a vital part of Catholic devotion. Many Catholics incorporate the rosary into their daily spiritual practice, while others use it for special intentions or during times of particular need.

Contemporary Uses of the Rosary

• Personal daily devotion
• Group prayer sessions in parishes
• Praying for special intentions or world peace
• Comfort during illness or bereavement
• Meditation aid in retreats or spiritual exercises

How has technology impacted rosary practice? While traditional rosaries remain popular, digital rosary apps and online prayer groups have made this devotion more accessible to younger generations and those unable to attend physical gatherings.

The Rosary Beyond Catholicism: Interfaith Perspectives

While the rosary is primarily associated with Catholicism, similar prayer beads exist in various religious traditions. This commonality has led to increased interfaith dialogue and understanding.

Prayer Beads in Other Traditions

• Islam: Misbaha or Tasbih
• Hinduism: Japa mala
• Buddhism: Mala
• Eastern Orthodox Christianity: Prayer rope

How do these similarities foster interfaith understanding? The shared concept of prayer beads demonstrates common spiritual needs across cultures and religions, potentially serving as a bridge for dialogue and mutual respect.

The Artistic and Cultural Impact of the Rosary

Beyond its religious significance, the rosary has left an indelible mark on art, literature, and popular culture. Its imagery and symbolism have inspired countless artists and writers throughout history.

The Rosary in Art and Culture

• Paintings depicting the Virgin Mary with a rosary
• Rosary-inspired jewelry and fashion accessories
• Literary references in works by authors like James Joyce
• Incorporation into films and television shows
• Influence on musical compositions, particularly sacred music

How has the rosary’s cultural significance evolved over time? While its religious meaning remains paramount for believers, the rosary has also become a recognizable symbol in secular contexts, often representing faith, devotion, or cultural heritage.

Controversies and Misconceptions Surrounding the Rosary

Despite its widespread use and significance, the rosary has not been without controversy. Some Protestant denominations criticize the practice as unbiblical, while others misunderstand its purpose or symbolism.

Common Misconceptions About the Rosary

• That it’s a form of Mary worship rather than veneration
• That it’s a mindless repetition of prayers
• That it’s only for older or very devout Catholics
• That it’s a magical object or good luck charm

How do Catholics address these misconceptions? Many emphasize that the rosary is a Christ-centered devotion, with Mary serving as a guide to her son. They also stress the meditative aspect of the practice, countering claims of mindless repetition.

The rosary remains a powerful symbol of faith and devotion for millions of Catholics worldwide. Its rich history, deep symbolism, and adaptability to personal needs have ensured its enduring relevance in an ever-changing world. Whether used for personal prayer, communal worship, or as a cultural touchstone, the rosary continues to play a significant role in the spiritual lives of many, bridging centuries of tradition with contemporary practice.

Rosary Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

ro·​sa·​ry

ˈrō-zə-rē 

ˈrōz-rē

1

often capitalized

: a Roman Catholic devotion consisting of meditation on usually five sacred mysteries during recitation of five decades of Hail Marys of which each begins with an Our Father and ends with a Gloria Patri

2

: a string of beads used in counting prayers especially of the Roman Catholic rosary

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Potes showed them his chest, illustrated with a rosary, hands in prayer, and the name of his grandmother.

—Diana Durán, Washington Post, 15 May 2023

About a dozen people held candles and stood near the intersection of Janlu and Los Robles avenues around 9 p.m. Saturday and prayed the rosary next to police tape.

—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2023

On Thursday, Penitente Brothers from the nearby village of Cordova knelt near the altar and recited the rosary for an hour in Spanish.

—David Kelly, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023

There is also an image of woman on his left lower flank and a rosary on his left hand and arm.

—Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023

Prayers: Upon his death, the leadership body called for common Catholic prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father, as well as the Recitation of the Rosary – a prayer that is typically said while holding a rosary, a piece of religious jewelry.

—Aj Willingham, CNN, 4 Jan. 2023

Jon Fosse’s Septology is suffused with religious symbolism, taking on, in its incantatory language and repetitions, the rhythm of the rosary.

—David Rooney, The New York Review of Books, 7 Sep. 2021

By 7, Charlene had memorized the rosary.

—Nathaniel Rich Stacy Kranitz, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2022

On the ninth night since Aurora Chacon-Esparza was laid to rest, her family gathers out back for the final night of praying the rosary.

—Star Tribune, 6 Sep. 2020

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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘rosary. ‘ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, “rose garden, rosebush,” borrowed from Medieval Latin rosārium “rose garden, rosebush, book of devotions,” going back to Latin, “rose bed, rose garden,” from rosa rose entry 2 + -ārium -ary entry 1

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of rosary was
in 1547

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Kids Definition

rosary

noun

ro·​sa·​ry

ˈrōz-(ə-)rē 

1

often capitalized

: a Roman Catholic devotion consisting of meditation on usually five sacred mysteries during recitation of five decades of Hail Marys of which each begins with an Our Father and ends with a Gloria Patri

2

: a string of beads used in counting prayers especially of the Roman Catholic rosary

Etymology

from Latin rosarium “rosary prayers, rosary beads,” from earlier rosarium “rose garden,” derived from rosa “rose”

Word Origin

Rosary is ultimately borrowed from Latin rosarium, a derivative of rosa, “rose. ” In classical Latin rosarium referred to a bed or garden of roses. In the Middle Ages rose gardens became particularly associated with Mary, and artists would give a rose-garden setting to the Annunciation, the announcement made to Mary by an angel that she would be the Messiah’s mother. Rosarium could also refer to a rose garland or wreath for the head that Mary made or wore in various legends. When sequences of prayers to the Virgin became a popular devotion in the 1400s, it is not surprising that Latin rosarium was applied to them. Later the word was also applied to the strings of beads used in reciting the rosary prayers.

Medical Definition

rosary

noun

ro·​sa·​ry

ˈrōz-(ə-)rē 

: beading

More from Merriam-Webster on

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Nglish: Translation of rosary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of rosary for Arabic Speakers

Britannica. com: Encyclopedia article about rosary

Last Updated:
18 May 2023
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Why Do Catholics Pray the Rosary and What Does it Mean?

• 
  Whitney Hopler
  Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
• 
  2023
  17 Apr

Praying the rosary is traditionally associated with the Catholic Church, but Protestant Christians sometimes use rosary beads for meditative prayers to God rather than Mary. Discover what the rosary is, why Catholics pray it, and how praying the rosary in a biblical way can be a useful tool for meditating on the meaning and significance of your prayers.

What Does Praying the Rosary Mean?

Praying the rosary involves using a string of beads called a rosary as a tool for keeping track of prayers. People either hold or wear the rosary while they pray and touch an individual bead when they pray each individual prayer, moving their hands from one bead to the next to help them focus their minds on each prayer. As they do so, they meditate on the meaning and significance of each prayer.

The Catholic rosary consists of a series of 20 prayers and is typically prayed in a specific sequence, with each prayer being recited in turn. The sequence of prayers is divided into four groups of five, which are known as decades. Each decade is intended to represent one of the Mysteries of the Rosary, which are events from the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Those mysteries are divided into four categories: the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, and the Luminous Mysteries. Specific prayers include the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, and the Hail Holy Queen. 

The word “rosary” means “crown of roses” and derives from the idea of presenting a group of prayers to Mary like a spiritual bouquet of roses, in veneration for her role as Jesus’ earthly mother. While Catholics pray to Mary, Protestant Christians don’t since prayer can be a form of worship, and the Bible cautions us to worship God alone. Many of the traditional Catholic rosary prayers are directed to Mary, which presents a problem for Christians who are interested in the rosary but don’t want to direct their prayers to Mary. Fortunately, rosary prayers can be directed to God, rather than to Mary. It’s possible to simply use rosary beads to keep track of any type of prayer. You can use a rosary to pray any prayer from your heart to God, rather than reciting traditional rosary prayers.  

Why Do Catholics Pray the Rosary?

The practice of praying the rosary has a long history in the Catholic Church. According to Catholic tradition, Mary described the rosary to Saint Dominic in the 13th century, during a miraculous apparition he said he saw in Toulouse, France. Prior to that time, Orthodox Christians had already been using another type of tool – ropes – to help them keep track of groups of prayers. They had an ancient practice of saying a prayer and then tying a knot in a rope afterward to remember where they were in a prayer sequence. 

Today, rosary prayers are popular among Catholics. By reflecting on the Mysteries of the Rosary, Catholics are able to connect emotionally with the lives of Jesus and Mary. Catholics also see the rosary as a way to ask for Mary’s intercession for them with God, as Catholics believe that she has a special role in bringing their prayers to God. Protestant Christians reject that idea since 1 Timothy 2:5-6 says that “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people…”. Protestant Christians pray with confidence directly to God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) as Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to “… approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” 

Another reason that Catholics pray the rosary is for its meditative qualities. The repetition of the prayers and the movement of the beads can help to create a sense of calm and focus, allowing the person praying to experience a peaceful state of mind and enter into a deep state of prayer and meditation. Protestant Christians can experience those same benefits by using rosary beads while praying their own prayers.

In addition, Catholics often use the rosary as a form of communal prayer. Many Catholics pray the rosary together as a group, either in a church setting or in a more informal setting such as a family gathering. Praying the rosary as a group can create a sense of unity and shared purpose, as well as providing an opportunity for people to support one another in prayer. When people come together to pray the rosary, they are united in their shared experience of praying and meditating. This sense of unity and common purpose can be a powerful reminder of how faith can bring people together. 

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Peopleimages 

Is Praying the Rosary Biblical?

The rosary is not mentioned in the Bible. However, many of the prayers and themes that are central to the traditional rosary are rooted in the Bible, and praying the rosary can be practiced in a biblical way by simply using the beads while praying to God and meditating on your prayers and Jesus’ life on earth. 

The traditional rosary prayers relate to important biblical events, which you can reference to use in your own prayers to God. For example, the Hail Mary, which is one of the central prayers of the rosary, is based on the greeting of the angel Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:28: “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. ’” Similarly, the Mysteries of the Rosary are all based on events from the lives of Jesus and Mary that are described in the Bible. The Joyful Mysteries, for instance, include the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), the Visitation (Luke 1:39-56), the Nativity (Matthew chapters 1 and 2, and Luke chapters 1 and 2), and the story of Jesus as a boy at the temple (Luke 2:41-52). 

It’s also important to note that reciting traditional rosary prayers directed to Mary is not a biblical practice. Since prayer is often a form of worship, it’s best to direct your prayers only to God, who is the only One worthy of worship. Exodus 20:4-5 urges: “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…”.

However, if you use a rosary simply to help you practice prayer and meditation with God, that’s biblical, since the Bible recommends contemplation. God tells us in Psalm 46:10: “… Be still, and know that I am God…” and meditative prayer can help us do so. Psalm 1:1-2 declares: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” In Psalm 119:15, King David writes: “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.” Joshua 1:8 urges: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” In Philippians 4:8, we read an exhortation to meditate on positive thoughts: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Praying the rosary in a biblical way involves letting go of reciting traditional rosary prayers and instead praying prayers from your own heart to God, while using rosary beads to help you focus and meditate on what you’re praying. In my book Wake Up to Wonder, I describe how breaking free from prayer and meditation formulas can help us experience more of God’s awe-inspiring presence with us when we communicate with him. Praying and meditating honestly from our hearts, instead of following formulas, can help us experience the wonder of God reaching out to us from his heart. 

Conclusion

While praying the rosary in the traditional way – reciting prayers to Mary – isn’t biblical, using rosary beads to pray from your heart to God can be a useful spiritual practice. A rosary can be a physical tool to help you focus your mind while praying and meditating on the meaning and significance of your prayers and on events from Jesus’ earthly life.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Mongkolchon Akesin

Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on Twitter and Facebook.

Rosary | it’s… What’s a rosary?

(lat. rosarium) – traditional Catholic rosary, as well as a prayer read on these rosaries; translated from Latin means “a wreath of roses.”

History

The first mention of the use of prayers similar to the Rosary with a rosary in Christian monasteries dates back to the 9th century. The modern look of the rosary was acquired in the 13th century. The Catholic tradition officially connects their appearance with the appearance of the Virgin Mary to St. Dominic in 1214. A special role in the spread of the prayer of the Holy Rosary was played by the Order of the Dominicans in the 15th century. It is with this prayer that tradition connects the victory of Catholic Europe over the Turks at Lepanto, in memory of which the feast of the Virgin Mary – the Queen of the Rosary (October 7) was established.

Description

The classic rosary rosary consists of 5 sets of ten small beads and one large one, as well as three small beads, one large bead and a cross, enclosed in a ring. There are also other, less common varieties.

The prayer of the Rosary, read from the rosary, is an alternation of the prayers of Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory, which should be accompanied by reflections on the mysteries that correspond to certain gospel events. There are four types of secrets:

* Joyful, reflecting on the mystery of God’s love

o Annunciation to the Mother of God

o Visitation of the Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth

o Birth of Jesus Christ

o Presentation of the Lord

o Finding of the Servant Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem

* Light

o Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

o Revelation of the Lord Jesus about Himself at the wedding feast in Cana

o Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and call to conversion

o Transfiguration on Mount Tabor

o Establishment of the Eucharist

* Sorrowful, in which they meditate on the mystery of Jesus Christ, which was accomplished through the crucifixion

o Death struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane

o Flagellation of Jesus Christ

o Crowning with thorns

o Way of the Cross

o Death on the Cross

* Glorious, in which Christ is glorified, through whom and together with whom Christians strive for eternal life

o Resurrection of Christ

o Ascension of Christ

o Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles

o Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

o Crowning of the Virgin Mary with heavenly glory.

Each type includes 5 mysteries, so one circle of the Rosary allows you to meditate on one type of mysteries. The complete Rosary, which includes all 4 types of mysteries, therefore consists of 4 circles.

One decade rosaries

During the persecution of Catholics in England and Ireland from 1540 to 1731, wearing Catholic paraphernalia could be severely punished. As a result, compact, concealed forms of rose gardens appeared, such as the Irish rose garden and the ring rose garden for concealed wear.

Rosary rings were also called soldiers’ rosaries because soldiers often took them with them to battle. This type is a ring with ten marks and a cross, which means one decade of the rosary. For convenience, it sometimes consists of two connected rotating parts.

Reading order

1. The sign of the cross is made, the cross on the rosary is kissed and the opening prayer of the Rosary is read.

2. The cross is taken and the Apostles’ Creed is read.

3. The first bead is taken and the Lord’s Prayer is read.

4. On the next three, Hail Mary three times. After that – Glory. These prayers form the introduction of the Rosary.

5. After that, the name of the type of secrets and the first secret is announced. On a large bead, the Lord’s Prayer is read, on small ten – Hail Mary. Glory is pronounced at the end of every mystery.

6. At the end of the Rosary, the concluding prayers are said.

The order of reading the Rosary did not change significantly with the passage of time, with one exception – in 2002, Pope John Paul II added bright mysteries to the three historically existing ones: joyful, mournful and glorious.

The Orthodox (senile) analogue of the prayer of the rosary was the so-called. Old Believer Lestovka (ladder). One of the greatest admirers of the practice of the ladder was the great Russian recluse, St. Seraphim of Sarov.

The rose garden is depicted on the coat of arms of the Czech village of Mnišek (Czech. Mníšek).

Rosary | it’s… What’s a rosary?

This term has other meanings, see Rosary (meanings).

Rosary

Rosary (lat. rosarium – a wreath of roses) – a traditional Catholic rosary, as well as a prayer read on these rosaries.

History

The first mention of the use of prayers similar to the Rosary with a rosary in Christian monasteries dates back to the 9th century. Initially, 150 psalms of the Psalms were read from 150 beads of the rosary, and only later the circle was divided into dozens, separated by large beads, and instead of psalms, the Our Father and Hail Mary were read through it. The modern look of the rosary was acquired in the 13th century. The Catholic tradition officially connects their appearance with the appearance of the Virgin Mary to St. Dominic in 1214. The Dominican Order played a special role in spreading the Rosary in the 15th century. It is with this prayer that tradition connects the victory of Catholic Europe over the Turks at Lepanto, in memory of which the feast of the Virgin Mary – the Queen of the Rosary (October 7) was established. According to Catholic teaching, the Virgin Mary in her appearances at Lourdes (1858) and Fatima (1917) confirmed the need to read the Rosary. After the Catholic Church recognized the Fatima Apparitions of the Virgin Mary, the Rosary was supplemented with the Fatima Prayer. In 2002, John Paul II added to the existing three groups of secrets one more – light (see below), not mandatory, but recommended.

Description

The Virgin Mary gives the rosary to Saint Dominic. Guido Reni, 1596-1598

The classic rosary for the Rosary consists of 5 sets of ten small beads and one large, as well as three small, one large bead, a crucifix (cross) and a medallion enclosed in a ring. There are also other, less common varieties.

The prayer of the Rosary, read from the rosary, is an alternation of the prayers of Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory, which should be accompanied by reflections on the mysteries that correspond to certain gospel events.

Types of mysteries

There are four types of mysteries:

• Joyful (lat. Mysteria Gaudiosa ), in which the mystery of God’s love is contemplated
  • Annunciation to the Mother of God (Luke 1:26-38)
  • Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Saint Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
  • Birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:1-21)
  • Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2:22-40)
  • Finding the Servant Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
• Light (lat. Mysteria Luminosa )
  • Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan (Mt. 3:13-17; Mk. 1:9-11; Lk. 3:21-22)
  • Revelation of the Lord Jesus about Himself at the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-12)
  • Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and call to conversion (Mark 1:15)
  • Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Mt. 17:1-8; Mk.9:2-8; Lk.9:28-36)
  • Establishment of the Eucharist (Mt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 9:15-20)
• Sorrowful (lat. Mysteria Dolorosa ), in which the mystery of Jesus Christ, which was accomplished through the crucifixion, is meditated upon
  • Death struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt. 26:36-46; Mk. 14:32-42; Lk. 22:39-46)
  • Flagellation of Jesus Christ (Mt. 27:24-26; Mk. 15:6-15; Jn. 19:1)
  • Crowning with thorns (Mt. 27:27-31; Mk. 15:16-20; Jn. 19:2-3)
  • Way of the Cross (Mt. 27:32-44; Mk. 15:21-32; Lk. 23:26-43; Jn. 19:16-27)
  • Death on the cross (Mt. 27:45-56; Mk. 15:33-41; Lk. 23:44-49; Jn. 19:28-37)
• Glorious (lat. Mysteria Gloriosa ), in which Christ is glorified, through whom and together with whom Christians strive for eternal life
  • Resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10)
  • Ascension of Christ (Luke 24:50-53)
  • Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (Acts 2:1-13)
  • Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Crowning of the Virgin Mary with heavenly glory (Rev. 12:1)

Each type includes 5 mysteries, so one circle of the Rosary allows you to meditate on one type of mysteries. The complete Rosary, which includes all 4 types of mysteries, therefore consists of 4 circles.

Traditionalist Catholics recite the Rosary without the bright mysteries added by John Paul II. A complete Rosary without bright secrets thus consists of three circles (150 “Ave Maria”, symbolizing 150 psalms).

The recommended order of reciting the mysteries

The rosary can be recited not completely, but one kind of secrets per day. Historically, the following order of reading secrets has developed:

* On Sunday, the part that corresponds to the period of the church year is read: on Advent and Christmas – the first, on Great Lent – the second, on all other Sundays of the year – the third.

Brown : I believe
Red : Our Father
Light blue : Hail Mary
Blue : Hail Mary then Fatima Prayer 90 341 Dark red : Glory / Our Father
Dark blue : Salve Regina and the Sign of the Cross

October is dedicated to the Rosary, in which the secrets are read in sequence:

Order of reading the Rosary

1. The sign of the cross is made, the cross is kissed on the rosary and the opening prayer of the Rosary is read.
2. The cross is taken and the Apostles’ Creed is read.
3. The first bead is taken and the Lord’s Prayer is read.
4. On the next three, Hail Mary three times. After that, Glory. These prayers form the introduction of the Rosary.
5. After that, the name of the type of secrets and the first secret is announced. On a large bead, the Lord’s Prayer is read, on a small ten – Hail Mary. At the end of each mystery, the Glory and short prayer calls are said, such as the Fatima Prayer.
6. At the end of the Rosary, the concluding prayers are read.

The order of reading the Rosary did not change significantly with the passage of time, with one exception – in 2002, Pope John Paul II added (more precisely, “recommended” not without fail) bright mysteries to the three historically existing ones: joyful, mournful and glorious.

One decade rosaries

Silver rosary ring

During the persecution of Catholics in England and Ireland from 1540 to 1731, wearing Catholic paraphernalia could be severely punished. As a result, compact, concealed forms of rose gardens appeared, such as the Irish rose garden and the ring rose garden for concealed wear.

Rosary rings were also called soldiers’ rosaries because soldiers often took them with them to battle. This type is a ring with ten marks and a cross, which means one decade of the rosary. Such a ring is worn, as a rule, on the index finger of the right hand and, during work, is most often placed on the second phalanx of the finger to ensure free rotation of the ring. There are also rosary rings made up of two parts – the ring itself and a movable tire with marks and a cross. Rings of this design are more convenient to use and do not require removal from the first phalanx during use.

A special rosary ring was also used by the Basques.

Chaplets

Main article: Chaplet (Catholicism)

Rosary beads are also used by believers to read the so-called chaplets – special prayers read in a certain sequence.

In Orthodoxy

Rosary on the coat of arms of the village of Mnishek

The Orthodox (senile) analogue of the prayer of the rosary was the so-called.