The Holy Rosary | Bernard Stockermans' homepage

I try to pray the Rosary (5 decades) every day. I have always had the sense of the great holiness of this prayer, despite the fact that intellectually I am much more attracted to the Divine Office as a daily prayer and meditation. I think it is very difficult to pray the Rosary well. Consider this a list of suggestions, things to try and vary, in order to devote more of your attention to our Lady, her Son, and the Mysteries while you are praying. I will try to add to it as things come to me.

Prayer is embodied in us

Our bodies are as much a part of us as our mind. We often pray better when the body is engaged somehow too. You can do things like say the prayers aloud, pray in an attentive posture (kneeling, seiza, not lying on the couch, etc.), making gestures such as the Sign of the Cross and bowing at the Glory Bes, etc.

Scripture verses

Say a scripture verse before each Hail Mary, as if setting the scene. You can find different versions of this, but this is one that I have used:

The Annunciation

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin in the town of Nazareth who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, who was of the house and lineage of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her he said, “Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you.”
“Do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor with God.”
But she was greatly disturbed at his greeting and wondered what sort of greeting this might be.
“You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
“But how can this be since I do not know man?”
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child born to you shall be called holy, the Son of the Most High God.”
“And see Elisabeth your kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age. She who was thought barren is in her sixth month, for nothing shall be impossible for God.”
“I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto to me according to thy word.”
And with that the angel left her.

The Visitation

Mary set out in haste for the hill country.
And upon entering the house of Zechariah she called out to Elizabeth.
And when the sound of her greeting reached Elizabeth’s ears the child in her womb leapt for joy.
And Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”
“And blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill his promise.”
“And why is it that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?”
“For from the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears the child in my womb leapt for joy.”
And Mary cried out, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
“From henceforth all generations will call me blessed.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months.

The Nativity

In those days Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So Joseph set out for Bethlehem with his wife who was with child, for he was of the house and lineage of David.
And while they were there, her days of confinement came to an end and she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.
Now there were shepherds in the in the nearby hills keeping night watch over their flocks.
Suddenly the angel of the lord appeared to them, and the glory of the lord shone round them and they were sore afraid.
“Fear not, for I bring you good news of glad tidings which shall be for all the people, for unto you this day is born in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord.”
“And let this be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger.”
Suddenly there was with the angel a whole multitude of the heavenly host singing glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will.
The shepherds went to Bethlehem and reported all that had happened and Mary kept all these things and treasured them and reflected on them in her heart.

The Presentation

When the forty days had passed, they took Jesus to the temple to do for him what was prescribed by the law.
Now there was an old man in the temple named Simeon. He was a devout and upright man.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not taste death until he had set eyes on the Messiah.
Going over to them, he took the babe in his arms and he looked up to heaven and he blessed God.
“Lord, now you can dismiss your servant in peace. Your word has been fulfilled. For my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people.”
“A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
And handing the babe back to them he blessed them.
And he said to Mary, “This child shall be responsible for the rise and fall of many in Israel.”
“A sign that is to be contradicted.”
“And a sword thine own heart shall pierce, and the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare.”

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

When Jesus was twelve years old, as was their custom they went up to Jerusalem for the feasts.
And when they were returning, supposing him to be among family and friends they searched for him for a full day.
Returning to Jerusalem they searched for him for three days and three nights.
At long last they came across him in the temple.
He was sitting among the doctors and teachers of the law.
He was asking them questions.
All who heard him were amazed at him.
“Son, why have you done this to us?”
“Did you not know I must be about my Father’s business?”
And he went down to Nazareth with them, and he was obedient unto them. And he grew in grace and strength and wisdom in the sight of both God and man.

The Agony in the Garden

Jesus took Peter, James, and John further into the garden with him.
“My soul is sorrowful even unto to death.”
“Stay here and pray that you may not be put to the test.”
Then he withdrew about a stone’s throw and fell to the ground praying, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass me by.
And his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.
Again he prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass me by.”
Then he went back to the apostles and found them sleeping. “Could you not stay awake with me for one hour?”
A third time he went back and prayed, “Father, let this cup pass me by; however, not my will, but your will be done.”
He returned to his apostles and found them asleep. He said, “Still taking your rest. It is enough! Behold, my betrayer is at hand.”
“Judas, you betray your master with a kiss?”

The Scourging at the Pillar

Now the whole cohort and the chief priests led him to Pontius Pilate.
And Pilate came out to them and said, “What wrong has he done?”
“If he were not a criminal we would not have brought him to you.”
“We have a law and according to this law he must die!”
So Pilate took him inside and questioned him. “Where do you come from?”
And Jesus made no answer. Pilate said, “Do you not know that I have the power to release you and the power to crucify you?”
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. That is why he who handed me over to you is guilty of the greater sin.”
So Pilate went out and said to them, “I find no guilt in him.”
And Pilate looked for a way to release him.
So he handed him over to be scourged.

The Crowning with Thorns

The soldiers led Jesus into the praetorium.
And they wrapped him in a purple cloak.
And they placed a reed into his hand.
And one of the soldiers fashioned a crown of thorns and pushed it onto his head.
And they knelt down before Him and mocked him.
“All hail the king of the Jews!”
And they hit him.
And they spit on him.
And when they were done amusing themselves they put him back into his own clothes.
And they led him back to Pilate.

The Carrying of the Cross

Pilate brought him out and said, “Ecce homo!” (Behold the man!)
And they yelled back, “Crucify him!”
“Shall I crucify your king?”
“We have no king but Caesar!”
“This man sets himself up as a king. Any one who sets himself up as king is a rival to Caesar.”
So Pilate delivered him up to their wishes.
And Jesus went out bearing his own cross.
Along the way he met some women of Jerusalem who were crying and weeping. He said, “Do not weep for me, weep rather for yourself and for your children.”
At last they arrived at the place of the skull, Golgotha in Hebrew. There they stripped him of his garments.
And they crucified him with two criminals, one on either side.

The Crucifixion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

And Pilate had a sign fixed to the cross: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
And those who walked by mocked him and said, “This man said, ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’”
Others said, “Come down from the cross and we will believe.”
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
“Today you shall be with me in paradise.”
“Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.”
“I thirst.”
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
“It is finished.” 10.“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

The Resurrection

“Who will roll away the stone for us?”
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
“He is not here. He is risen.”
“Mary!”
“How slow of heart and dull of mind you are.”
“Did you not know the Christ must suffer, so as to enter into his glory?”
“And he took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them.”
Then he vanished from their sight.
And suddenly their eyes were opened and they recognized him in the breaking of the bread.
Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, whose sins you hold bound are held bound.”

The Ascension

Jesus took them outside the city.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
“You shall be my witnesses throughout Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
“Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Teach them to observe all that I have taught you.”
“And know that I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.”
And while he was still speaking a cloud came upon him and took him from their sight.
And they stood there looking up into the sky.
Suddenly two men in white appeared beside them.
“Men of Jerusalem, why do you stand here gazing up into the sky? This Jesus, who you saw leave, will return to you in the same way.”

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

As was their custom they were gathered in the upper room praying.
Now there were Jews from every nation gathered in Jerusalem for the feast.
Suddenly, a sound like a loud rushing wind was heard throughout the house.
Those outside the house heard it as well.
And suddenly the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire which came to rest over each one of them.
And they began to preach.
And the assembled Jews said, “How is it that we can each hear them speaking in our own native tongue?”
And Peter went out to the crowd and addressed them.
“This Jesus of Nazareth whom you crucified God raised from the dead.”
And that day about three thousand were added to their number.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Preserve my soul, O God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord, you are my God. My happiness lies in you alone.
He has put into my heart a marvelous love for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows. Never will I offer their offerings of blood. Never will I take their name upon my lips!
Oh Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out to me is my delight. Welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart.
I will keep the Lord ever in my sight; since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor suffer your beloved to know decay.

The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven

Then a great sign appeared in the sky.
A woman clothed with the sun.
With the moon under her feet.
And over her head a crown of twelve stars.
And God said to the serpent, “I will put hatred between you and the woman.”
“Between your offspring and hers.”
“You will strike at her heel and she will crush your head.”
And the angel said to her, “The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.”
“And he will rule over the house of Jacob forever.” 10.“And of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

Extra verse inside Hail Mary

This is another way of adding an extra verse to the Hail Mary. I understand it is a particularly widespread way of praying the Rosary in central Europe. You essentially add another clause describing the mystery after the name of Jesus. For example:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, whom thou didst conceive by the Holy Spirit. Holy Mary…

Here is a list of such verses, but you can easily also just use your own words:

The Joyful Mysteries

… Jesus, whom thou didst conceive by the Holy Spirit.

… Jesus, whom thou didst carry to visit Elizabeth.

… Jesus, whom thou didst bring forth in a stable.

… Jesus, whom thou didst dedicate in the Temple.

… Jesus, whom thou didst find in the Temple.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

… Jesus, who sweated Blood for us.

… Jesus, who was scourged for us.

… Jesus, who was crowned with thorns for us.

… Jesus, who bore the heavy Cross for us.

… Jesus, who was crucified for us.

The Glorious Mysteries

… Jesus, who rose again from the dead.

… Jesus, who ascended into Heaven.

… Jesus, who sent us the Holy Spirit.

… Jesus, who assumed thee into Heaven.

… Jesus, who crowned thee in Heaven.

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