Pray the Rosary

A Misunderstood Prayer

The rosary is one of the most misunderstood Catholic devotions. While some non-Catholics see it as worshiping Mary, it is in fact focused on Christ. The mysteries of the rosary are based on important events in the life of Christ. When we meditate on these mysteries while praying the rosary, we consider these events and how they relate to our own lives and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Pray the rosary with your family or youth group. The USCCB site has instructions for which prayer to say on which bead and the words for the prayers of the rosary if you do not know them all.

Traditionally, when you pray the rosary you choose which mysteries to meditate on based on the day of the week, but this is not required. You may choose a different set if appropriate.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)

1. The annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the Angel Gabriel
2. The visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist
3. The nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Bethlehem
4. The presentation of the Jesus in the temple as an infant
5. The finding of the Jesus in the temple by Mary and Joseph after he was lost as a child

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. The baptism of Jesus Christ  in the Jordan River by John the Baptist
2. The first miracle of Christ at the marriage of Cana in changing water to wine
3. The announcement of the kingdom of God by Jesus
4. The transfiguration of Christ on the mountain
5. The institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)

1. The agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
2. The scourging of Jesus at the pillar
3. The crowning of thorns
4. The carrying the cross by Jesus to Calvary
5. The crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Glorious Mysteries (Sunday and Wednesday)

• The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead
• The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven
• The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on Pentecost
• The assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven
• The coronation of the Virgin Mary as queen of heaven

Make a Rosary Slide Bracelet or Key-Chain

A rosary slide bracelet or keychain is a nice craft to remind children and teens to pray. I like making the keychain which can actually be used for keys for teenagers. Or if they don’t need a keychain they can hang it on their backpack or just keep it in their pocket to remind them to pray the rosary.

The Virgin Mary – Our Blessed Mother

She is called by many names. She is the Mother of Jesus Christ, and through him, mother of all of us. This article gives background on the Virgin Mary and her place in the Catholic Church. We pray the rosary to see salvation by Jesus in unity with our Blessed Mother.

Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary and the Saints? A Lesson Plan

Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the saints? This lesson plan will help youth understand that it is like asking a friend to pray for you. And it points out that prayer is not the same as worship. So when we pray the rosary, we are giving glory to Jesus.