In our human need to establish a relationship with our God and Creator, methods of mediation, meditation, revelation, and prayer have been practiced since early human existence. The satisfaction of this need gives peace, love, hope and justification to human existence. God has spoken through prophets who have harnessed the ability of intercession through the centuries in many religions. The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a tool and a practice for this purpose.

The Catholic Rosary has historically developed into an eclectic means of establishing a relationship with God. It is meditative, educates and reveals, focuses; provides intercession, community, peace, and comfort to the practitioner. It can be practiced privately or in community groups.

The Rosary is a prayer of accounts. There are many beautiful prayers and meditations practiced in the Roman Catholic faith. Many Catholics refer to all bead prayers as rosaries. However, in reality there is only one true prayer of the Rosary and its proper name is “Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” It is also known as the Dominican Rosary, the Marian Rosary, and the Rosary Vita Christi (Life of Christ). Currently, another popular beaded meditation and prayer practiced by Catholics is “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy.” This meditation shares some of the same elements as the Rosary.

The increase in popularity of the Rosary can be attributed to the Dominican order of the Catholic faith. Santo Domingo de Guzmán (1170-1221 AD), a Spanish established this order. Dominicans believed and still believe in the intellectual pursuit of faith and relationships. The Dominicans vigorously promoted the Rosary beginning in the 15th century. In 1569, Pope Saint Pius V, a Dominican pope, issued an apostolic letter confirming the Rosary of the fifteen mysteries as the official version authorized by the Catholic Church. This version continued until 2002 when Pope John Paul II published his apostolic letter (Rosarium Virginis Marioe) which added five more Mysteries. The official modern “Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” of the Roman Catholic Church is now 20 mysteries in length.

The basic elements of the Rosary are always the same. Meditative prayers or mysteries and the decade (repetitive prayers) are the structure of the experience. Other prayer items can be added, but the basic structure, mysteries, and prayers of the decade are always present. Prayer beads are used to keep track of how an individual / group is progressing through the prayer process so that no one has to count the repetitions. The hand moves from one bead to the next, keeping track of the repeats of the decades as the Rosary progresses.

Practitioners focus intensely and deeply on the spiritual, meditative, psychological and emotional enlightenment of the process. As the repetition proceeds, even the breath is regulated and the mind is free and open to new insights. Regular practitioners claim that the Rosary helps them relax and prioritize their daily life based on true values. They often affirm that there are endless and ongoing lessons to be learned throughout a meditative prayer life centered on the Rosary. Like fine arts and good music, repetition brings a new revelation and intimacy and personal relationship.

Decade Prayer Beads can fit in a pocket, purse, or even around the neck. Some are beautifully made of gemstones and passed down from generation to generation. Rosaries can also be very humble wooden or plastic beads. All rosaries fulfill the function of guiding and focusing the prayer process. The standard decade prayer or rosary is made up of 59 beads. This includes 54 beads connected to a central medal. A rope of five beads leads to a crucifix at the end.

It takes about 20 minutes to pray the Rosary. Most executive training programs recommend that you spend 15 minutes planning / prioritizing your day’s activities. Try praying the Rosary and then entering your prioritized to-do list on your PDA (personal digital assistant). You may find that your list will become more value-focused and cutting-edge affective as you take on a truth and a reality that you were missing. Here are the Mysteries of the Rosary and the passages of the Bible where each one is found.

The mysteries of praying the rosary

Joyful mysteries

(Monday and Saturday)

1. The Annunciation made by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she will be the Mother of the Savior (Lk 1, 26-38).

2. Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with her son, John the Baptist (Luke 1: 39-45).

3. The Nativity of the Holy Family in Bethlehem (Luke 2: 1-7).

4. The presentation of the Child Jesus by Mary and Joseph in the Temple (Luke 2: 22-38).

5. Mary meets Jesus in the temple conversing with the elders (Luke 2: 41-52).

Painful mysteries

(Tuesday and Friday)

1. The Agony of Christ according to the will of God in the Garden (Mark 14: 32-36).

2. The scourging (abuse) of Jesus at the column (John 18: 28-38; 19: 1).

3. The crowning of Jesus with thorns by the Roman authorities (Mark 15: 16-20).

4. Jesus carries a cross (Luke 23: 26-32).

5. The crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross (Luke 23: 33-34; 39-46).

Luminous mysteries

(Thursday)

1. The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan (Matthew 3: 13-17).

2. The wedding feast at Cana (John 2: 1-12).

3. The proclamation of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15; 2: 3-13).

4. The Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9: 28-36).

5. The First Eucharist (Matthew 26: 26-30).

Glorious mysteries

(Sunday and Wednesday)

1. The resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ (Luke 24: 1-6).

2. The ascension of Jesus into heaven (Luke 24: 50-53).

3. The Coming and Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 1-4).

4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (I Thessalonians 4: 14-17).

5. The coronation of Mary (Revelation 12: 1-6).