The Rosary

The Rosary is a prayer deeply rooted in the Catholic Christian tradition, offering a simple yet profound way to strengthen spiritual life for people of all ages.

The Rosary is more than just a string of beads; it’s a pathway to deepening our relationship with God. It is a meditative prayer that occupies our senses to allow our minds to focus on the life of Jesus. The feel and colour of the beads, the crucifix on the pendant, and the medallion in the centre occupy our touch and sight. The sound of the prayers creates a rhythm for our ears to follow, and some rosaries even bear a floral scent to fill our noses. All of these help us to develop focus, patience, and a sense of peace so that we can enter into prayer more deeply.

The word “Rosary” comes from the Latin word rosarium, which means crown of roses or garland of roses. Each prayer can be considered a spiritual rose offered to honour the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

October is dedicated as the Month of the Rosary, with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary celebrated on October 7. This feast day was established in 1571 by Pope Pius V to commemorate the victory of the Christian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto.

The Rosary’s origins date back to the early centuries of Christianity when monks would recite all 150 Psalms as part of their daily prayer routine. Over time, laypeople who could not read began reciting the Lord's Prayer 150 times, using a string of beads to keep count. This eventually evolved into the Rosary we know today; a blend of the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and others.

The Rosary, as it is practiced now, was popularized in the 13th century by St. Dominic, who, according to tradition, received it from the Blessed Virgin Mary in a vision. The form of the Rosary was further developed and spread by the Dominican Order, becoming a key devotion in Catholic spirituality.

Praying a full Rosary means praying 15 decades, not 5! The full Rosary consists of 150 Hail Marys, divided into three sets of 50, which are further divided in five sets of 10 (a decade).

Traditionally, the Rosary is divided into three sets of Mysteries: Joyful (recited on Monday and Thursday, and Sunday from Advent to Lent); Sorrowful (Tuesday and Friday, and Sunday during Lent); and Glorious (Wednesday and Saturday, and Sunday from Easter until Advent).

In 2002, at the beginning of the Year of the Rosary, St. John Paul II provided the optional Luminous Mysteries as well to meditate on the Ministry of Jesus. He suggested praying the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, and the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday year-round, leaving Thursday open for meditation on the Luminous Mysteries.

Praying the Rosary with your family can be a nurturing activity. Start by explaining the basic prayers and the significance of each mystery. Use resources like this one, or add books and videos to make the stories behind the mysteries come alive. Praying one decade each night before bed can make it a soothing end to the day. Over time, this can become a cherished family tradition, a moment of calm and connection in the midst of busy lives.

Praying the Rosary together teaches not only how to pray but also the importance of turning to God in all aspects of life. This powerful prayer can be a source of strength, guidance, and peace for everyone in the family.

For those facing stressful times, the Rosary can serve as a source of comfort. Carrying a small, single-decade Rosary in a pocket, or wearing a Rosary ring, can be a reminder that prayer is always available, anytime, anywhere.

The Rosary holds a special place amongst devotions of the Church. A plenary indulgence can even be obtained by reciting the Rosary in a church or with your family!

Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools operates in seven communities throughout the province of Alberta providing authentic Catholic education to students in fifteen traditional schools, four outreach schools and one distance education school.

Website: redeemer.ab.ca
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