October – The Month of the Rosary
October – The Month of the Rosary
The Rosary is a meditative prayer based on scripture. When we pray the Rosary we are asking Mary to pray with us as we seek to grow closer to her Son Jesus Christ by contemplating on his life death and resurrection. There is what is called four mysteries that make up the Rosary and each mystery provides an opportunity to reflect upon an aspect of the life of Jesus. A mystery consists of five decades and a decade is one Our Farther followed by ten Hail Mary’s and one Glory Be.
The mysteries cover the life of Jesus in this way;
The first mystery is known as the Joyful Mysteries and covers the Annunciation (The Angel Gabriel visits Mary) the Visitation ( Mary visits Elizabeth) the Birth of Jesus, The Presentation of Jesus at The Temple and finding the Child Jesus listening to and questioning the elders.
The second of the mysteries meditates on Jesus’ public ministry and are known as the Mysteries of Light. They cover His Baptism, The Wedding Feast at Cana, the Proclamation of the Good News, the Transfiguration and the institution of the Eucharist.
The third mystery is called the Sorrowful Mysteries and meditates on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, His scourging at the pillar, wearing the Crown of Thornes, carrying the Cross and Jesus’ death on the Cross
The fourth mystery is called the Glorious Mystery and meditates on the Resurrection of Jesus, the Ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit coming over the disciples, the Assumption of Mary into Heaven and Mary being made Queen of Heaven
The Rosary can be said privately or with other people. There are opportunities to pray the Rosary together during October on Wednesday 9-30pm at St Gerard’s and on Thursday 6-30pm at the Immaculate Conception. There is also the Rotherknock meeting on Sundays at St Gerard’s at 12-30pm.