The rosary is a tool used when praying by Catholics which is shaped like a necklace with beads. You don't have to be a Catholic to know what the rosary is, but I'll tell you a little about how to pray using the rosary and the story behind it. The rosary is usually used when praying and meditating, as well as to worship Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Saying the Rosary
Step 1. Start by holding the cross on your fingers while making the sign of the cross on the body
The prayer sequence ends after all the beads are passed, with a stop every 1 bead for 1 prayer.
Step 2. Say the “I Believe” prayer
This is like an oath to Christians, which contains belief in the existence of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the resurrection of the body.
- The content of the prayer 'I Believe' is as follows: "I believe in God, the all-powerful Father, creator of heaven and earth. And of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. The one who suffered, in the reign of Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. Who descended to the waiting place, on the 3rd day rose from the dead. Who ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of Almighty God the Father. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, eternal life. Amen."
- In the word "catholic" in the sentence "I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church …", people usually mean it universally, not just referring to the Roman Catholic church.
Step 3. Move to the first bead after the cross and say the “Our Father” prayer
This prayer was addressed by Jesus to His disciples to reveal God's faithfulness in heaven to His people.
The contents of the "Our Father" prayer are as follows: "Our Father who is in heaven, glorified be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us sustenance this day and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have wronged us and do not put us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. Amen."
Step 4. Move to the next 3 small beads and say 3 times the Hail Mary
Place your hand on one bead when saying, then move to the next bead after saying Hail Mary.
- The contents of the “Hail Mary” are as follows: “Hail Mary, full of grace, God be with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your body, Jesus. Saint Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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Some Christians are a bit hesitant to say the Hail Mary prayer, because it is aimed at Mary not at God or Jesus. But this comes back to your own beliefs and some Protestant churches. Read the Bible so you can make your choice.
If you are reluctant to say Hail Mary, know that some other Christians have their own version of this
Step 5. Move to the bead that is between the three small beads and say the Hail Bride of God the Holy Spirit
The Bride of God the Holy Spirit is a hymn to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
- The contents of the prayer "Greetings the Bride of God the Holy Spirit" are as follows: "Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. As in the beginning, now always and throughout all centuries. Amen."
- Usually rosaries are made of strings rather than chains, and the beads are made of wood.
Step 6. Move to the next bead and say Our Father
On this bead, which is usually large in the shape of a medallion, signifies the first "event" of the rosary. The Rosary is divided into 5 events, each of which contains 10 Hail Marys and is separated from the Our Father.
Step 7. Previously say Hail Mary to mark the start of the first event
After reaching the center of the bead, the prayer is said in a clockwise direction over the group of 10 beads. Say the Hail Mary once on every bead on every occasion.
Keep in mind that many people say 1 event of the rosary as a short version of the rosary when they don't have time to say all the rosary
Step 8. Proceed to the next bead and say the Bride of God the Holy Spirit
You can add a prayer for the pastor or a prayer for Jesus at this time without having to move to the next bead.
- The contents of the prayer "O Jesus" as follows: "O good Jesus, forgive our sins. Save us from hellfire and send souls to heaven, especially those who are in dire need of Your forgiveness. Amen."
- The contents of the prayer for the pastor are as follows: “Oh Jesus, supreme leader of our church, hear the prayer of Your servant for our pastors. Give always obedience, light and hope that always shines for our pastors. In solitude, befriend them. In adversity, strengthen them. In their weariness, deliver them from souls full of suffering and show them the way to the church where they are needed, needed by the forgotten soul, they are needed for the redemption of Your people.”
Step 9. Proceed to the next event, starting with the Lord's Prayer
You have passed the first event. Now it's time to move on to the second event, the Lord's Prayer for the first bead, then the Hail Mary for the next 10 beads, then the Hail of the Bride of God the Holy Spirit. In the next, the flow is the same, finish it until you reach the medal again.
Step 10. Reach the medal and say Hail Ya Queen
Hail Ya Ratu is a hymn for the Virgin Mary whose content is almost the same as the Hail Mary. When you have said this, make the sign of the cross on your body indicating that the rosary is over.
- The contents of the Salam Ya Ratu prayer are as follows: “Greetings, Ya Ratu. Merciful Mother, our life, our consolation and hope. We are all praying, we are very difficult, complaining, validating in this valley of sorrow. O Mother, O our protector, bestow Your great love upon us. And Jesus, Your blessed son, may You show us. O Queen, o Mother, o Mary, Mother of Christ. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God, that we may enjoy the promise of Christ."
- If according to the Catholic tradition, the order is like that, but you can add your own prayer in your rosary prayer, the important thing is that prayer is from the heart, not just a routine.
Part 2 of 2: The story behind the Rosary
Step 1. The rosary is not just a tool used when praying, it also tells the life of Jesus and Mary
The Rosary describes 5 major events in the life of Jesus and/or Mary based on the Bible. Each event is related to the "fruit of the spirit". By reflecting on this incident, someone who prays using the rosary is expected to strengthen his relationship with Jesus and Mary.
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Below are 4 events, the 4th added by Pope John Paul II in 2002, others are hundreds of years old. Here is the sequence of events:
- Happy Events
- Sad Events
- Glorious Event
- Bright Events (added in 2002)
Step 2. Look at the mystery in each event on the rosary
When a person reaches the first event, that person will reflect after saying the Lord's Prayer, then 10 Hail Marys, and other prayers. Likewise, when it reaches the second event, the person contemplates the second event and prays. Each set of mysteries has 5 mysteries, 1 mystery for each event on the rosary.
Usually, people will meditate on the mystery rosary set once a day of the week. I will explain further later
Step 3. Reflect on the 5 happy events on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays during Advent
The happy event is the story of the happy life of Jesus and Mary. Happy events related to the fruit of the spirit can be seen in the following list:
- Announcement: humility
- Visit: generosity
- The birth of Jesus: simplicity
- The Word of Jesus: Obedience
- Seeking God in the church: faith
Step 4. Reflect on 5 sad events on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
Sad events are the story of Jesus' life full of misery. This event centers on the death of Jesus on the cross. Sad events related to the fruit of the spirit can be seen in the following list:
- Pain in the garden: feeling sad because of our sins
- Fear of harmony: shame on our way of life
- Crown of thorns: shame in each of us
- Carrying the cross: patience under suffering
- The crucifixion and death of Jesus: we should die for each of us
Step 5. Reflect on 5 glorious events on Wednesdays and Sundays during weekdays
The glorious event is a story related to the resurrection of Christ and the ascension of Christ and Mary into heaven. The glorious events that are related to the fruit of the spirit can be seen in the following list:
- Resurrection: change of heart
- Ascension: heaven's desire
- The descent of the holy spirit: Pentecost
- Mary's Reception in Heaven: Obedience to Mary
- The Coronation of Mary: Happiness that lasts forever
Step 6. Reflect on the 5 bright events on Thursday
The light event was the last to be added to the history of the rosary in 2002. It tells about the adult life of Jesus and his evangelism. Unlike other events, the light events are not very close to the chronology of other events. The light events that are related to the fruit of the spirit can be seen in the following list:
- Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River: The Opening of the Holy Spirit, the Healer
- Marriage at Cana: convincing Mary that Jesus could perform miracles.
- Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven: believe in the Messiah the savior
- Transformation: desire for holiness
- Eucharistic celebration: worship
Tips
- Not everyone has the ability to clearly imagine what has happened. If you can't, just think about the story. Because that is the most important thing in the rosary.
- Always keep in mind that the rosary is the strongest weapon of our faith against the devil. Even though this seems impossible to believe, nothing is impossible for people who believe.
- Any pastor can bless your rosary.
- In many Christian spiritual shops sold cassettes and CDs on how to use the rosary. This is very useful for those of you who have difficulty learning it in church when you are with many people.
- Say the prayer slowly. Think about what you have said. Because actually the rosary is a garland of flowers for the Virgin Mary.
- Many people pray facing a painting or a statue, but that does not mean worshiping idols, but so that they are more focused when praying.
- A small rosary is called a chaplet, it has only 10 beads and a cross. There is also a rosary in the form of a ring.
- It should also be remembered that the rosary is a means of communication with God, not an amulet or the like.
Warning
- Many people will tell you that the rosary is not a medicine that can help you sleep well at night. But there are also those who think that saying beautiful words can calm the mind. Saint Bernadette, she had an apparition of the Virgin Mary, suggested saying the rosary before going to bed because she is like a child who calls her mother before going to bed so that she can sleep comfortably until the next morning.
- Don't be afraid to make the mistake of praying the rosary if you've never done it before. God will know.
- To make the rosary more meaningful, you can invite others to pray with you. Form a group to increase your faith and those around you.
- Don't be too obsessed with the rosary prayer session. There is a saint who once wrote that a rosary that is only done regularly, not because of a call from the heart, will not attract God's heart. Because even if you pray once but say sincerely, you can beat hundreds of prayers that are only done because it is a routine.
- Pray effectively. "Moreover, in your prayers, do not be long-winded as is the custom of people who do not know God. They thought that because of his many words his prayers would be answered.” (Matthew 6:7). Trust and accept God who knows what your needs are, prays and always cares for you.
