Just wondering, I am glad Catholics pray so much, I would just like to know about your methods and their origins. I do not know these answers, these are not setup questions.
Tradition has that St Dominic institued the Rosary in the 12th century. It starts with the recitation of the creed (2nd centrury) :
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 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, and his kingdom will have no end. 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.
Each of the 5 decades start with the Our Father(luke:11) :
Our Father, Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Then Hail Mary’s(based on the interaction between Mary and the Angel in Luke:1)
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
followed by the "Holy Mary-an acknowledgement that Mary is the Mother of God(formally declared council of Ephesus, 431) and a petition that she pray for us:
*Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *
The Hail mary/Holy Mary sequecne is recited 10 times in each of the 5 deacdes.
The decade ends with the “Glory Be” (1st century.)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Many of us add the prayer Mary gave us at Fatima
*Oh My Jesus forgive us our sins and *
*save us from the fires of hell, *
lead all souls to heaven especially those most in need of thy Mercy.
There are 4 sets of 5 “Mysteries” When we pray each decade we meditate on one of the 5 Mysteries for that days rosary. The mysteries are taken from Scripture:
The Mysteries are:
Joyful
**1. The Annunciation **
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. And coming to Mary, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:26-28)
**2. The Visitation **
Mary set out and traveled to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Lk 1:39-45)
- The Birth of Our Lord
And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger . . . And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Lk 2:1-20)
**4. The Presentation in the Temple **
Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple to present him to the Lord. At the temple Simeon and Anna came forward, gave thanks to God and spoke about Jesus to all who were present. (Lk 2:22-38)
**5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple **
The boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Lk 2:41-50)
Ther Joyful Mysteries are genrally said on Monadys and Saturdays
Sorrowoful Mysteries
**1. The Agony in the Garden **
Jesus went to a place called Gethsemane to pray. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt 26:36-46)
**2. The Scourging at the Pillar **
The chief priests with the elders and the scribes held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, had Jesus scourged and handed him over to be crucified. (Mk 15:1-16)
**3. The Crowning with Thorns **
They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mt 27:27-31)
**4. The Carrying of the Cross **
Jesus, weak from being beaten, was unable to carry His cross to Golgotha alone. Simon, a Cyrenian, helped him. (Mk 15:20-22)
**5. The Crucifixion **
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:33-46)
The Sorrowfulmysteries re generally said in Tesdays and Fridays
Lumious Mysteries
**1. The Baptism in the Jordan **
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 3:17)
**2. The Wedding at Cana **
“Women, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:1-12)
**3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God **
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:15)
**4. The Transfiguration **
While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. (Lk9:29)
**5. The Institution of the Eucharist **
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. (Jn 13:1)
Lumious Mysteries are said in Thursdays
S 3903)