Amazing facts about the Rosary

The Rosary is possibly the most distinctive Catholic prayer.

The Rosary is one of the most beloved and distinctive Roman Catholic prayers. The prayer has a long tradition in history, but is remarkably modern, at least by Catholic standards. However, this is not the only fact that will surprise you about the Rosary. Here are some other interesting facts about this form of meditative prayer.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Rosary was given to St. Dominic in 1214 AD, according to legend, making it a little more modern, at least according to Catholic standards. The Catholic tradition stretches back for two millennia, the Rosary eight centuries by comparison.

There are also varying legends about the origins of the Rosary, so don't be surprised to hear people challenge the notion that it first appeared in 1214.

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It is widely believed that the Rosary began as a simple devotion and grew increasingly complex slowly over time. Meditation became a feature of the devotion when Dominic of Prussia (1382-1460) suggested reflecting on the life of Jesus during the prayer.

In fact, that is why the Rosary to this date is meant to be prayed while one reflects on the great mysteries of the faith.That is also why we have so many versions of the joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries. Now we also have St John Paul's contribution, the Mysteries of Light.

The Rosary actually remained an unofficial prayer of the Church until 1569 when Pope Pius V declared it to be an official devotion in a papal bull.

From that time until the 21st century there were 15 mysteries of the Rosary. Most Catholics still remember learning the original 15-decade Rosary. The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary were added in 2002 by Pope John Paul II who himself had a very deep, personal devotion to the Virgin Mary and to praying the Holy Rosary. Those mysteries focus on the public life of Jesus.

The Rosary is usually prayed in sets of five decades --that is one full recitation of a standard Rosary featuring fifty recitations of the Hail Mary. After each set of ten, the petitioner should pause and meditate. Which mystery is meditated upon depends on the day of the week, which determines whether the set.

The mysteries of the Rosary are divided into four sets; the Joyful, the Luminous, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious. During some seasons of the Church, the Luminous mysteries are omitted and replaced by one of the other three sets of mysteries.

Day of praying    With the Luminous Mysteries:   

Monday - Joyful Mysteries     
Tuesday - Sorrowful Mysteries   
Wednesday - Glorious Mysteries   
Thursday - Luminous Mysteries     
Friday - Sorrowful Mysteries     
Saturday - Joyful Mysteries     

Without the Luminous Mysteries:

Monday - Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday - Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday - Glorious Mysteries
Thursday - Joyful Mysteries
Friday - Sorrowful Mysteries
Saturday - Glorious Mysteries
On Sundays the mysteries change during different seasons.
On most Sundays: The Glorious Mysteries   
Advent and Christmas: The Joyful Mysteries
Lent to Palm Sunday: The Sorrowful Mysteries
Ordinary Time, Easter to Sunday before Advent: The Glorious Mysteries

The act of praying the Rosary is said to bring many benefits and graces. Among them are miracles, psychological and emotional benefits, and a deepening of the relationship between the penitent and the Virgin Mary, and the Trinity.

Some Catholics also believe powerfully in the promises of the Virgin Mary, given to St. Dominic for those who faithfully recite the Rosary.

1. Whosoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.

4. It will cause good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire for Eternal Things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.

6. Whosoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of Eternal Life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the Light of God and the plenitude of His Graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the Merits of the Saints in Paradise.

9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of Glory in Heaven.

11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by recitation of the Rosary.

12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the hour of death.

14. All who recite the Rosary are my Sons, and brothers of my Only Son Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

Cool fact: Some Catholics say if you fall asleep while praying the Rosary, the Angels finish it for you.

The beads of the Rosary make the prayer an outward symbol of the faith. Many people recognize the Rosary as a symbol of the Catholic Church and it is commonly worn as jewelry or hung from rear-view mirrors in cars, as a way of reminding a person of their Catholic identity. Admittedly, it is nice to see fellow devoted Catholics on the road, however we must stress that as nice as it appears, the Rosary is not properly displayed as jewelry or ornamental art.

The Rosary is meant to be prayed, so it is not jewelry. Although rosaries can be exquisite works of art, they are personal objects intended to remind the holder of the incredible value of the prayer itself and the cherished importance of the relationship the devotion builds. Think of it, in some ways as a spiritual wedding ring (a true devotion!) but one that is carried discreetly.

It's not that the Rosary should be always hidden, but that the Rosary beads serve a practical function, which is to aid prayer. To wear it as an ornament doesn't do justice to what the beads represent.

Also, it should be observed that some people, particularly members of religious orders will wear a humble form of the Rosary beads around their waist or in some other fashion. This is not designed to be ornamental however, but rather is serves a devotional purpose and reminds the wearer of their prayerful vocation.

Truly humble people may certainly wear the Rosary near their hearts as well, but preferably under a shirt or blouse and of course, the Rosary should still be regularly prayed even if on a different set of beads.

Just remember, it's not an ornament or a necklace.

It is also acceptable to hang the Rosary in the home where it is plainly visible, and honorably displayed. The Rosary can also form part of a personal altar or shrine.

Cool fact: No Rosary beads, no problem! Use your fingers to keep track of the ten Hail Mary prayers.

The Rosary is properly prayed in both groups and individual settings. When prayed as a group, one person will usually lead, reciting the first part of each prayer and the group reciting the second part or refrain.

It is very important that when you pray the Rosary, you make the time to say it properly. Many make the mistake of rattling off the prayers machine-gun style, as though they're trying to quickly complete a chore. If the Rosary feels like a chore, rather than a break, then you're doing it wrong!

Say the prayers slowly and carefully, reciting them at a reverent, respectful pace. This doesn't mean you need to pray in slow-motion either, just don't try to hurry though. It's like racing through a garden filled with the most exquisite roses. It just doesn't make sense, you appreciate nothing when you rush. Instead, take time to say each prayer and leave at least a few minutes for each meditation. If you're in a group, explain in advance that you want to allow everyone to meditate properly on each mystery, so there may be a substantial pause between decades. This is absolutely okay and should be encouraged. Stop to enjoy the roses. Each mystery of the Rosary is a fragrant rose with its own distinctive beauty. Take them in fully, be they filled with thorns or petals. 

The Rosary is not only a Catholic devotion. Some Anglicans also pray the Rosary as well as one other Christians who want to develop a special relationship with Mary, as mother and fellow disciple. Their interpretation of the devotion may differ, but the Rosary is used. Some Lutherans also use the Rosary.

The Rosary can also be used for other special prayers and devotions. It's not just the Hail Mary. For example, a chaplet, or single decade devotions can be prayed and the beads used to count those prayers as well. This is an acceptable use of the Rosary.

There are few things worthy of embellishment in the world, all else being vanity. Churches are one of them, as well as our other religious relics, Rosaries included. This is because their embellishment -their enhancement as works of art, are reminders of the glory of God. Not all Christians understand this, but it is a distinctly Catholic understanding with ancient roots in the tradition of the Faith. In other words, it's perfectly okay to own a beautiful Rosary, just as it is okay for a community to adorn its Church with the most beautiful gifts and talents it possesses. God accepts us at our worst, so He is worthy of our best.

If you're interested in a new Rosary, or in giving a beautiful Rosary as a gift, Catholic Shopping .com has a wide selection at a variety of prices for you to buy. Go ahead and take a look and marvel at the beauty of these wondrous works of art. And above all, remember to pray your Rosary.

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