What is the Rosary?

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The Answer: The Rosary is a prayer, rather a set of prayers, said by millions of Catholics all of the world. Many, including myself, can personally attest to this set of prayers and it is often talked about. Here is (hopefully) everything you wanted to know about the Rosary.

The Rosary is a wonderful set of prayers because while you say it, you meditate on the events that occurred to Jesus and his followers. From before His birth to after His Ascension, there are 20 specific events, called "Mysteries" that are mediated upon. These 20 mysteries are broken into 4 sets. When saying a Rosary, you focus on one of these sets. Here is a complete list of the mysteries, in order, grouped together in their sets, along with their Biblical refrence:

  • The Joyful Mysteries:
    1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
    2. The Visitation (Luke 1:40-56)
    3. The Nativity (Luke 2:6-20)
    4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:21-39)
    5. The Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-51)
  • The Luminous Mysteries:
    1. The Baptism (Matt. 3:13-17)
    2. The Wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11)
    3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 4:17; Matt. 5:1-16)
    4. The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)
    5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 11:23-29)
  • The Sorrowful Mysteries:
    1. The Agony in the Garden (Matt. 26:36-46)
    2. The Scourging (Matt. 27:26)
    3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matt. 27:29)
    4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
    5. The Crucifixion (Luke 23:33-46)
  • The Sorrowful Mysteries:
    1. The Resurrection (Luke 24:1-12)
    2. The Ascension (Luke 24:50-51)
    3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)
    4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (Rev. 12)
    5. The Coronation of Mary (Rev. 12:1)

How to say a Rosary...see below!

Now, before the mediations begin, there are a few prayers said. The "Apostles Creed", the "Our Father", 3 "Hail Mary"'s and the "Glory Be" are all said, in that order. Then, the meditations begin. While meditating on each mystery, the following prayers are said: 1 "Our Father", 10 "Hail Mary"'s, 1 "Glory Be" and 1 "Fatima Prayer." After saying these 5 times, once for each mystery, the "Holy Queen" prayer is recited. I can link to the words of these prayers upon request.

Sources: http://catholic.com/library/Rosary.asp
http://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Rosary/scriptures_luminous_mysteries.htm
Related Questions:
Do you pray to the Saint and/or Mary?

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