THE
BLOCK ROSARY (MARY'S HOME VISITATION)
- It
is powerful means to deepen Christian life like in the family and in groups
of families.
-
It intensifies our love for Jesus and for His Mother Mary leading to community
building and concern.
A.
PREPARATIONS
-
The chairwoman
for each block schedules the families to be visited.
-
The family
to be visited prepares a decorated altar.
-
Spiritual
preparation, like confession, is recommended.
-
Booklets
should be given to those assigned to lead the prayers.
-
The family
prepares its own Rosary Intentions.
-
An Intention
Box may be prepared containing the letters for favors written by the block
families.
B.
WELCOMING MARY
-
The order
of procession is as follows: the banner, the faithful, the image.
-
The image
is enthroned and the Welcome prayer is said.
-
Songs
may be sung before the recitation of the rosary.
C.
DURING MARY?S STAY
-
The family
prays together every evening for its own intentions and those of the block
and the parish.
-
The order
of prayer will be: a Marian Song, Rosary, Litany, Hail Holy Queen,
Act of Entrustment of the Home, any of the various prayers (if needed)
and final song.
-
Before
transferring the image, the prayers of thanksgiving are said.
I.
WELCOMING OUR LADY TO OUR HOME
| Head
of the Family: |
In
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. |
| All: |
Amen. |
| Head
of the Family: |
Let
us welcome our Mother Mary with the song ?Hail Mary? (All sings.) |
| Head
of the Family: |
We
remember, dear Mother, your humble visit to your cousin Elizabeth.
You set out proceeding in haste into the hill country to a town in Judah.
You knew you were the Mother of the Saviour, a great honor. But you
forgot your dignity and in humility you went to serve your cousin.
You come with concern for our needs. |
| Family: |
We
are honored to receive you into our home, O Mary. |
| Head
of the Family: |
When
Elizabeth heard your greeting, O Mary, the baby leapt in her womb and she
was filled with the Holy Spirit. Fill our hearts with the joy, love
and peace of the Holy Spirit. |
| Family: |
We
are honored to receive you into our home, O Mary. |
| Head
of the Family |
Blessed
are you, O Mary, among all women. Blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Jesus! Who are we that the mother of our Lord should come to us?
The moment your greeting sounded in the ears of Elizabeth her baby leapt
for joy. Fill our home with openness and faith in you. |
| Family: |
We
are honored to receive you into our home, O Mary. |
|
Blessed
are you, O Mary, you trusted that the Lord fulfills His words. Pour
into our hearts great trust in our Lord that we may accept whatever message
He would like to tell us through your visit. |
| Family: |
We
are honored to receive you into our home, O Mary. |
| Head
of the Family: |
Let
us pray the PRAYER OF WELCOME. |
| Family: |
O
Mother of Christ and Help of Christians we are happy and honored
your visit to our poor home which you made worthy to be the abode of your
love during your stay with us. Give us, beloved mother/ your blessing.
Bless all those who live in this home, never allow us to commit anything
that will give you sorrow. Help us grow in imitation of your virtues.
We are yours our Queen and Mother. Take care of us all, like your
own now and forever. |
| Head
of the Family: |
Let
us sing IMMACULATE MOTHER |
| Family: |
IMMACULATE
MOTHER
Immaculate
Mother, we come at thy call,
And
low at thy altar, before thee we fall.
Ave,
ave, ave Maria!
Ave,
ave, ave Maria!
In
grief and temptation, in joy and in pain,
We?ll
seek thee, our Mother, nor seek these in vain.
We?ll
pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth,
And
bless, sweetest Lady, the land of our birth. |
| Head
of the Family: |
Let
us now recite the ?Song of Mary?, her great prayer to God Almighty.
As we say it, let us ask for the grace of humility and faith so we may
always find joy and strength in our trust and dependence on God. |
| Family: |
My
soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, My spirit rejoices in God my
Saviour for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. |
| All: |
From
this day all generations will call me blessed: The Almighty has done
great things for me, and holy is his Name. |
| Family: |
He
has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown
the strength of his arm. He has scattered the proud in their conceit. |
| All: |
He
has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away
empty. |
| Family |
He
has come to the help of his servant Israel. For He has remembered
His promises of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and
his children forever. |
| All
: |
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy spirit. As it was
in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen. |
|
II.
THE HOLY ROSARY
|
| Head
of the Family: |
Before
we recite the Rosary: Let us hear some words from our Holy Father,
Pope John Paul II:
?The Rosary is my favorite prayer. A marvelous prayer! Marvelous
in its simplicity and its depth! The whole Church joins in this prayer.
Against the background of the words of the ?Hail Mary? there pass before
the eyes of the soul the main events of the life of Jesus Christ, that
is why it is called the ?summary of the whole Gospel?. They put us
in living communion with Jesus through, we could say, the Heart of His
Mother.
Our heart can enclose in these decades of the Rosary all the facts that
make up the life of the individual, the family, the nation, the Church
and mankind?s personal matters, and those to us and in particular, those
of the persons closest to us, our dear ones. In this way the simple
prayer of the Rosary beats out the rhythm of human life.
I wish therefore to exhort you to rediscover and value ever more, the Holy
Rosary as a personal and family prayer addressed to her who is the mother
of the individual Christian and Mother of the Church, Help of Christians.
In support of this exhortation of mine, I heartily impart the Apostolic
Blessing.?
(L? Osservatore Romano ? 9/30/81) |
| Leader
: |
Lord,
Open my lips (as we sign our lips) |
| All |
And
my mouth shall declare your praise. |
| Leader
: |
O
God, come to my assistance. |
| All
: |
Lord,
make haste to help me. |
| Leader
: |
Glory
be? |
| All
: |
As
it was? |
| Leader
: |
I
believe in God.. |
| All
: |
The
Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth
I
believe in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord
He
was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And
born of the Virgin Mary.
He
suffered under Pontius Pilate
Was
crucified, died and was buried.
He
descended to the dead
On
the third day, he rose again.
He
ascended into heaven,
and
is seated at the right hand of the Father
He
will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I
believe in the Holy Spirit
The
Holy Catholic Church
The
communion of saints
The
forgiveness of sins,
The
resurrection of the body
And
life everlasting.
Amen. |
| Leader
: |
Our
Father?. |
| All
: |
Give
us this day? |
| Leader
: |
For
an increase of faith, hope and charity: Hail Mary?.(three times) |
| All
: |
Holy
Mary? |
| Leader
: |
Glory
Be?. |
| All
: |
As
it was in the beginning?
O
my Jesus, forgive us our sins
Save
us from the fires of hell
Lead
all souls into heaven
Especially
those most in need of your mercy. |
A.
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
|
| 1. |
In
the First Mystery let us contemplate the Annunciation.
The
angel Gabriel said to her, ?Do not fear Mary, you have found favor with
God. You shall bear a Son and you will call him Jesus. The
Holy Spirit will come upon you! ? Mary said: ?I am the servant
of the Lord. Let this be done to me as you say.? (Luke 1:30-31,
38).
Mary?s
humility and obedience brought about the Incarnation of Jesus.
We need these virtues to be truly Christian. We offer this decade
for (mention intention).
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 2. |
In
the Second Mystery let us contemplate the Visitation.
Elizabeth
cried out: ?The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby
stirred in my womb for joy!? Mary said: ?My being proclaims
the greatness of the Lord; my spirit finds joy in God my Savior!?
(Luke 1:44, 47)
Mary
causes joy in our hearts because she is filled with God?s joy. May
she teach us the secret of true joy. We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 3. |
In
the Third Mystery let us contemplate the Nativity
The
angel said to the shepherds: ?You have nothing to fear! I come
to proclaim good news for you: this day in David?s city a Savior
has been born to you!? Mary treasured all these things and reflected
on them in her heart (Luke 2:10-11, 19).
May
we imitate the wisdom of Mary which comes from habitual meditation on the
daily events of life. We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 4. |
In
the Fourth Mystery let us contemplate the Presentation in the Temple
The
just and pious Simeon took the child in this arms and blessed God in these
words: ?My eyes have witnessed your saving deed: a revealing
light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel.? He said
to Mary: ?This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise
of many in Israel. You yourself shall be pierced with a sword so
that the thoughts of many hearts maybe laid bare.? (Luke 2:28-35)
Mary?s
acceptance of her cross at this early stage of Christ?s life is remarkable;
let us take her as our model. We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 5. |
In
the Fifth Mystery let us contemplate the Finding of the Child Jesus.
On
the third day his parents came upon Jesus in the temple sitting in the
midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
All who heard were amazed at his intelligence and his answers. When
his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said: ?Son,
why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have
been searching for you in sorrow.?
He
said to them: ?Why did you search for me? Did you not know
that I had to be in my Father?s house?? Mary kept all these things
in memory. Jesus progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace
before God and man. (Luke 2:46-52)
If
Mary guided the growth in wisdom, age and grace of her Son, all the more
she can guide ours. We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen |
|
B.
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
|
| 1. |
The
First Mystery presents to our mind the Agony of Jesus.
Jesus
began to be filled with fear and distress. He said to his disciples:
?My heart is filled with sorrow to the point of death. Remain here
and stay awake?. He fell to the ground: ?Father, you have the
power to do all things. Take this cup away from me. But let
it be as you would have it, not as I.? (Mark 14:34-38)
Let
us learn from the heart-to-heart prayer of Jesus to his Father, especially
when we are down with problems and tensions. We offer this decade
for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 2. |
The
Second Mystery presents to our mind the Scourging of Jesus.
Pilate
said to them: ?What am I to do with Jesus, the so called Messiah??
?Crucify him!? they all cried. He said: ?Why, what crime
has he committed?? But they shouted the louder, ?Crucify him!?
Pilate finally realized that he was making no impression and that a riot
was breaking out instead. All that, he released Barabbas to them.
Jesus, however, he first had scourged. (Mt 27:22-24, 26). We
cannot be indifferent like Pilate in relation to Jesus. To be against
Him, as the crowd was, is the worst we can do. Let us be willing
to proclaim our faith in Jesus. We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 3. |
The
Third Mystery presents to our mind the Crowning with Thorns.
Pilate?s
soldiers took Jesus inside the praetorium and collected the whole cohort
around him. They stripped off his clothes and wrapped him in a scarlet
cloak. Weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on his head, and
stuck a reed in his right hand. Then they began to mock him by dropping
to their knees before him, saying ?All hail, King of the Jews!? they
also spat on him. (Mt. 2:27-30).
Mary
from
afar saw this and prayed for the forgiveness of the great sins of blasphemy
of men. Let us imitate her, willing to sacrifice. We offer this decade
for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 4. |
The
Fourth Mystery presents to our mind the carrying of the Cross.
As
they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon the Cyrenean who was coming
from the fields. They put a crossbeam on Simon?s shoulder for him
to carry along behind Jesus. A great crowd followed him. He
turned to them: ?Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep
for yourselves and for your children.? (Luke 23:26-28).
His
mother witnessed these things praying for the conversion of sinners and
for the sharing in the Cross of her son by the devout Christians.
Let us join Mary as we offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 5. |
The
Fifth Mystery presents to our mind the Crucifixion of our Lord.
Two
others who were criminals were led along with Jesus to be crucified.
When they came to the Skull Place, they crucified him there. Jesus
said: ?Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are
doing.? One of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed:
?Aren?t you the Messiah? Then save yourself and us.? But the
other one rebuked him: ?Have you no fear of God seeing you are under
the same sentence? We deserve it, after all. We are paying
the price for what we?ve done, but this man has done nothing wrong.?
(Luke 23:32-34, 39-41)
Mary
standing as a strong woman of faith during this most painful of all griefs
imitates her forgiving son. Let us imitate Him too. We offer this
decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen |
|
C.
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
|
| 1. |
In
the First Mystery let us contemplate the Resurrection of Jesus.
When
Jesus had seated himself to eat, he took bread, pronounced the blessing,
then broke the bread and began to distribute it to them. With that
their eyes were opened and they recognized him; whereupon he vanished from
their sight. They said to one another, ?Were not our hearts burning
inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to
us? (Luke 24:30-32)
Mary
celebrated Easter everytime she participated in the Eucharist with the
Apostles. Let us be like her whenever we participate at the Sunday
Eucharist. We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 2. |
In
the Second Mystery let us contemplate the Ascension of Jesus.
The
eleven disciples made their way to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus
had summoned them. At the sight of him, those who had entertained
doubts fell down in homage. Jesus came forward and addressed them:
?Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth, go, therefore,
and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry
out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you
always until the end of the world.? (Mat 28:16-20)
Mary
gave motherly guidance to the Apostles so they can execute her Son?s mandate.
Let us ask her guidance for parents and evangelizers that they be successful
missionaries in their own families and fields of work. We offer this decade
for? |
| 3. |
In
the third Mystery let us contemplate the Descent of the Holy Spirit.
When
the day of Pentecost come it found them gathered in one place. Suddenly
from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong, driving wind which
was heard all through the house where they were seated. Tongues
as of fire appeared. Which parted and came to rest on each of them.
All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves
in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.
(Acts 2:1-4)
Mary
conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit and became Mother of the Church on Pentecost
Day because of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost Day was also the day she
became the Help of Christians. She challenges us to trust fully the
action of the Holy spirit in our Christian life. We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 4. |
In
the Fourth Mystery let us contemplate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
?I
have set the Lord ever before me, with Him at my right hand I shall not
be disturbed. My heart has been glad and my tongue has rejoiced,
my body will live on in hope, for you will not abandon my soul to the nether
world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
You have shown me the paths of life, you will fill me with joy in your
presence.? (Acts 2:25-28).
These
words could be said of both Jesus and Mary. They were exempted from
the corruption of the body. May we strive to respect our body which
is the temple of the Holy Spirit and practice the beautiful virtue of purity.
We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be |
| 5. |
In
the last Mystery let us contemplate the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
?A
great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon
under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars.? (Rev. 12:1)
As
mother of the Church she becomes one with us as the woman who achieve the
final crown of victory for all Christians. With her let us strive
with perseverance and fortitude in order to share in her celestial victory.
We offer this decade for?
Our
Father, Hail Mary (10), Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen |
|
II.
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
|
| Lord,
have mercy on us. |
Christ
have mercy on us. |
| Lord,
have mercy on us, Christ hear us. |
Christ,
graciously hear us. |
| God
the Father in Heaven. |
Have
mercy on us. |
| God
the Son, Redeemer of the world |
Have
mercy on us. |
| God
the Holy Spirit |
Have
mercy on us. |
| Holy
Trinity, One God |
Have
mercy on us. |
Holy
Mary
Holy
Mother of God
Holy
Virgin of virgins
Mother
of Christ
Mother
of the Church
Mother
of Divine Grace
Mother
most Pure
Mother
most Chaste
Mother
Inviolate
Mother
Undefiled
Mother
most Amiable
Mother
most Admirable
Mother
of good Counsel
Mother
of our Creator
Mother
of our Savior
Virgin
most Prudent
Virgin
most Venerable
Virgin
most Renowned
Virgin
most Powerful
Virgin
most Merciful
Virgin
most Faithful
Mirror
of Justice
Seat
of Wisdom
Cause
of our Joy
Spiritual
Vessel
Vessel
of Honor
Spiritual
Vessel of Devotion
Mystical
rose
Tower
of David
Tower
of Ivory
House
of Gold
Ark
of the Covenant
Gate
of Heaven
Morning
Star
Health
of the Sick
Refuge
of Sinners
Comforter
of the Afflicted
Help
of Christians
Queen
of Angels
Queen
of Patriarch
Queen
of Prophets
Queen
of Apostles
Queen
of Martyrs
Queen
of Confessors
Queen
of Virgins
Queen
of all Saints
Queen
conceived without original sin
Queen
assumed into Heaven
Queen
of the Most Holy Rosary
Queen
of Peace. |
Pray
for us. |
| Lamb
of God, who takes away the sins of the world, |
Spare
us, O Lord |
| Lamb
of God, who takes away the sins of the world, |
Graciously
hear us, O Lord |
| Lamb
of God, who takes away the sins of the world, |
Have
mercy on us. |
|
|
| All: |
Hail,
Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope,
to you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to you do we send
up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn then most
gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile,
show unto us, the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O Clement, O
Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. |
| Head
of the Family: |
Pray
for us, O Holy Mother of God. |
| All: |
That
we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. |
| Head
of the Family: |
Let
us pray... |
| All
: |
O
God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection has purchased
for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that meditating
upon these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through
the same Christ , our Lord. amen. |
| Head
of the Family: |
May
the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. |
| All
: |
Amen. |
|
|
(For the Home Entrustment, each member of the family will hold a
lighted candle.)
|
