INTRODUCTION

Excerpts from Saint John Paul IIs Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae
The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, which gradually took form in the second millennium
under the guidance of the Spirit of God, is a prayer loved by countless Saints and encouraged
by the Magisterium. Simple yet profound, it still remains, at the dawn of this third millennium,
a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness.
The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In
the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which
it can be said to be a compendium. It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat
for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the
Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on
the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful
receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.
The Gospels give great prominence to the sorrowful mysteries of Christ. From the
beginning Christian piety, especially during the Lenten devotion of the Way of the Cross, has
focused on the individual moments of the Passion, realizing that here is found the culmination
of the revelation of God's love and the source of our salvation. The Rosary selects certain
moments from the Passion, inviting the faithful to contemplate them in their hearts and to
relive them. The sequence of meditations begins with Gethsemane, where Christ experiences a
moment of great anguish before the will of the Father, against which the weakness of the flesh
would be tempted to rebel. There Jesus encounters all the temptations and confronts all the
sins of humanity, in order to say to the Father: Not my will but yours be done.
Meditation on the mysteries of Christ is proposed in the Rosary by means of a method
designed to assist in their assimilation. It is a method based on repetition. This applies above
all to the Hail Mary, repeated ten times in each mystery. If this repetition is considered
superficially, there could be a temptation to see the Rosary as a dry and boring exercise. It is
quite another thing, however, when the Rosary is thought of as an outpouring of that love
which tirelessly returns to the person loved with expressions similar in their content but ever
fresh in terms of the feeling pervading them.
One thing is clear: although the repeated Hail Mary is addressed directly to Mary, it is to
Jesus that the act of love is ultimately directed, with her and through her. The repetition is
nourished by the desire to be conformed ever more completely to Christ, the true programme
of the Christian life.

From Mary's uniquely privileged relationship with Christ, which makes her the Mother
of God, Theotkos, derives the forcefulness of the appeal we make to her in the second half of
the prayer, as we entrust to her maternal intercession our lives and the hour of our death.
The Rosary is by its nature a prayer for peace, since it consists in the contemplation of
Christ, the Prince of Peace, the one who is our peace. Anyone who assimilates the mystery of
Christ and this is clearly the goal of the Rosary learns the secret of peace and makes it his
life's project. Moreover, by virtue of its meditative character, with the tranquil succession of
Hail Marys, the Rosary has a peaceful effect on those who pray it, disposing them to receive
and experience in their innermost depths, and to spread around them, that true peace which is
the special gift of the Risen Lord.
I look to all of you, brothers and sisters of every state of life, to you, Christian families, to
you, the sick and elderly, and to you, young people: confidently take up the Rosary once again.
Rediscover the Rosary in the light of Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the
context of your daily lives.
OPENING HYMN
Minsan ang buhay ay isang awit ng galak,
at mayroong liwanag na tatanglaw sa ating pagyapak.
Minsan ang buhay ay isang awit ng luha,
at siyang papawi nito ay ang pag-asa ng umaga,
at kahit anong tindi ng unos,
at kahit anong tindi ng dilim
may isang inang nagmamatyag, nagmamahal sa 'tin.
Awit niya'y pag-ibig ng Diyos, tawag niya'y magbalik-loob,
turo nya'y buhay na ang Diyos lamang sa ati'y nagkaloob.
CHORUS:
O Inang mahal narito kami awit awit ang Ave Maria
at dalangin ng bawat pamilya'y kapayapaa't pagkakaisa
Ang rosaryo mong hawak namin at awit awit ang Ave Maria
puspos ka ng diwang banal, dinggin ang aming payak na dasal
Ihatid mo kami sa langit ng Amang nagmamahal
(Repeat Chorus)

BEGINNING
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
V. Lord, open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only
Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he
rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the
Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
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.
THE LORDS 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.
HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the
fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour
of our death. Amen.
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.

FATIMA PRAYER (TO BE PRAYED AT THE END OF EACH MYSTERY)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to heaven,
especially those in most need of your mercy.
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
The First Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus at the River Jordan
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (3:13-17)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to
prevent him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me? Jesus said
to him in reply, Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he
allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens
were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon
him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased.
1 Our Father
10 Hail Mary
1 Glory be
Fatima Prayer
MARIAN HYMN (BETWEEN EACH MYSTERY)
The Second Luminous Mystery: The Self-manifestation of Jesus at the Wedding Feast at
Cana
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (2:1-11)
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was
there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the
mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine. [And] Jesus said to her, Woman, how does
your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servers, Do
whatever he tells you. Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial
washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, Fill the jars with water. So
they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, Draw some out now and take it to the
headwaiter. So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew),

the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, Everyone serves good wine first, and
then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until
now. Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs* in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.
1 Our Father
10 Hail Mary
1 Glory be
Fatima Prayer
MARIAN HYMN (BETWEEN EACH MYSTERY)
The Third Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
A Reading of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (4:12-17)
When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth
and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had
been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand.
1 Our Father
10 Hail Mary
1 Glory be
Fatima Prayer
MARIAN HYMN (BETWEEN EACH MYSTERY)
The Fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration of Jesus
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (9:28-35)
About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the
mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing

became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who
appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter
and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his
glory* and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to
Jesus, Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents,* one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah. But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a
cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the
cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, This is my chosen Son; listen to him.
1 Our Father
10 Hail Mary
1 Glory be
Fatima Prayer
MARIAN HYMN (BETWEEN EACH MYSTERY)
The Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Holy Eucharist during the Last
Supper
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (22:19-20)
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is
my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me. And likewise the cup after
they had eaten, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.
1 Our Father
10 Hail Mary
1 Glory be
Fatima Prayer
MARIAN HYMN (BETWEEN EACH MYSTERY)
HAIL, HOLY QUEEN
Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this
valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us. And after
this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet
Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, whose only Begotten Son by his Life, Death and Resurrection, has purchased for
us the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech you, that meditating on these mysteries
of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and
obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
V. God, the Father of Heaven,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (R.)
V. God the Holy Spirit, (R.)
V. Holy Trinity, One God, (R.)
(AT THE FOLLOWING VERSES THE RESPONSE IS: PRAY FOR US.)
Holy Mary,
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of Peace,
V. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord!
V. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord!
V. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,

R. Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Grant, we beg you, O Lord God, that we your servants, may enjoy lasting
health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be
delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our
Lord.
R. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
For Francis our Pope, for all his intentions and for the whole church:
OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, GLORY BE.
For all of us gathered here, for peace and unity in our nation and throughout the whole world:
OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, GLORY BE.
For all the faithful departed, and for all the souls in purgatory:
OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, GLORY BE.
V. May the Divine Assistance remain always with us.
R. Amen.
V. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. And may the blessing of the Almighty God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend
upon us and remain with us always.
R. Amen.
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
CONCLUDING HYMN