Subrosa:
Hi Alma -
The Rosary reminds us of what Jesus lived through and did for us. By praying the Rosary, people obtain a deeper appreciation of these events in His life.
The origin of the Rosary is not clear. During the earliest days of the Church, Catholics used prayer beads and the repetitive prayers. There is evidence that beads were used to assist prayers in the Middle Ages.
During the fifteenth century, the Rosary structure formed. Fifty Hail Mary’s were recited and were linked with verses of psalms. The prayer was called rosarim meaning rose garden. Later, the name became the Rosary.
Saint Dominick is the person that designed the structure of the Rosary. He was moved by a vision of our Blessed Mother. The Rosary became popular in the 1500’s. There were many wars, and people turned to the Rosary for comfort. On October 7, 1572, Pope St. Pius V established the Feast of the Holy Rosary.
The Rosary prayer brings human solidarity. It reflects the intent of Mary and Jesus. This prayer can be said by anyone in the world. The world is surrounded by tensions and war. The Rosary can help, and is necessary that prayers for peace be raised to God through out the world.
How to Recite the Holy Rosary.
Hope that helps
God bless,
Subrosa
Each decade of the Holy Rosary, I link a Hail Mary with each of the 10 Commandments.
I think of the first Commandment, “GOD FIRST” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the second Commandment, “GOD’S NAME and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 3rd Commandment, “GOD’S DAY” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 4th Commandment, “HONOR FATHER AND MOTHER” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 5th Commandment “DON’T KILL” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 6th Commandment “NO ADULTERY” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 7th COmandment " DON’T STEAL” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 8th Commandment “DON’T BEAR FALSE WITNESS” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 9th Commandment “DON’T COVET NEIGHBORS’ WIFE” and say a Hail Mary.
I think of the 10th Commandment “DON’T COVET NEIGHBORS’ GOODS” and say a Hail Mary.
In doing so, I am able to pray the rosary without a rosary, and without having to count with my fingers, or say the numbers. And aside from saying a decade of Hail Mary’s, I have also said and contemplated on the Ten Commandments.
So for the Joyful Myteries, this means the 10 Commandments will be said 5 times. So too for the Sorrowful Mysteries. An also for the Glorious Mysteries.
I also use this when saying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.
BTW, from a priest at EWTN some 15 years ago, he pointed out that the Archangel Gabriel did not greet Mary in the Gospel as “HAIL MARY” BUT as “HAIL FULL OF GRACE”.
A nun suggested to me, that in addition to each Commandment, we should also think of the Mystery of the Rosary. I did try to do it before, but things just get jumbled in my head. And even without the mystery before each Commandment, I forget which of the 5 mysteries I am saying the decade for and end up saying one or two extra decades. Maybe, I am limited. But who knows, maybe you and others can do better. I think, I also mix up my 6th and 7th Commandments.