The story of Christ's Birth is very well known, by Christian's
as well as non-Christians. Jesus Christ was born in a humble stable,
into a poor family.
From Holy Scripture-St.Luke,Chapter 2
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a
decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in
swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there
was no room for them in the inn.
The Presentation
On the eighth day,after his birth, Mary and Joseph brought him
to the temple to be circumcised. "And when the day came for them to
be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to
Jerusalem to present him to the Lord." Luke 2:22
Finding Jesus In The Temple
"His mother said to him; Son, why have you done this to us? You
see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow. He
said to them: Why did you search for me? Did you not know I had to be
in my father's house?" Luke 2:48-49
THE ROSARY
Perhaps you have not yet been made aware of the Catholic prayer
devotion based on these scriptural events in the life of Jesus. This
form of prayer is said with rosary beads as an aid to help you. The
combination of prayers and meditations on these events is a way to
enter into the christian walk of the Holy Family.
To Pray The Rosary
1. Make the Sign of the Cross. With your right hand, touch your forehead,
saying the words "In the Name of the Father. Then touching your heart,
say "And of The Son." Then touching your left, then right shoulders,
finish by saying "and of The Holy Spirit. Amen." This short prayer
is a sign of your Christain Faith, and a blessing over you.
2. Say The Apostle's Creed while holding the Crucifix in your hand.
Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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 the life in the world to come.
Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer is said on each single bead.
The Lord's Prayer
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.
4. The Hail Mary prayer is said on each of the grouped beads. There are ten
beads in each group, and they are called a decade. The entire rosary is
made up of 15 decades, each decade recalls an event in the life
of Mary and Jesus, as shown on these pages. These events are called the
"mysteries" of the rosary prayer.
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace;
the Lord is with Thee:
blessed art Thou amoung 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.
5. The Glory Be To The Father prayer, is said
after the first group of three beads, and after each
group of ten beads,on which we have said the Hail Mary
prayer.
The Glory Be
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.
6. Meditate on the Mystery of each decade as you pray.
The mysteries are grouped into three catagories. The first five are
called the Joyful mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity,
Presentation & Finding in the Temple. The second group of five
are called the Sorrowful mysteries: Agony in the Garden, Scourging,
Crowning with Thorns, Carrying of the Cross & Crucifixion. And
finally the third group are called the Glorious mysteries: The
Resurrection, Ascension,Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption of Mary &
The Coronation of Mary.
7. At the end of the Rosary, we say the Hail Holy Queen prayer.
Hail Holy Queen
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
Hail our Life, our Sweetness,
and our hope! To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit
of thy womb, Jesus,
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, Holy Mother of God;
That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.
8. And as we began this prayer & meditation, with an acknowledgement
to God, we finish the rosary with the Rosary Prayer.
Rosary Prayer
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection,
has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee,
that by meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may learn to imitate what they contain
and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
FORWARD
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