The Rosary is prayed following our 9 AM Monday Morning Mass at Sacred Heart. If there is no Morning Mass at Sacred Heart, the Rosary will take place instead, usually following a Eucharistic Prayer Service. The Rosary is also prayed beginning at 9:25 AM on Sunday Mornings at Sacred Heart prior to the start of the 10 AM Mass.
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
Familiarize yourself and/or your group with the prayers of the rosary.
(A prayer to St. Joseph may also follow.) Conclude the Rosary with the Sign of the Cross.