As it is Wednesday, I should start with the Glorious Mysteries, but as the booklet I wrote is based on the litany as explained yesterday, I thought I would present it all in order.
The Joyful Mysteries
The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation: Luke 1:26-38
Our Father
Hail, Full of Grace. Give us the grace to pray this rosary with attention and peace.
Hail Mary one
Genesis 1:27
And God created man to His own image: to the image of God He created him: male and female He created them.
Hail Mary two
Holy Mary
In this first name of the Litany, a Hebrew young woman is called "holy". The name Mary in Hebrew, Mara, means "capable of enduring much sorrow", "bitter", like salt--the salt of the earth. Mary images the holiness of God the Father. She, also, mirrors the Son of God, Savior, the "Man of Sorrows". St Bernard of Clairvaux wrote that men and women have the image of God the Father, but have lost the likeness. This salutation of the angel Gabriel, who is the angel of death at the Passover in Jewish tradition, brings life to the world and restores the divine likeness to the human race. Christ becomes Incarnated, sorrow and joy meet.
Hail Mary three
Holy Mary, a woman in the image and likeness of God in perfection, pray for us that we may be made into the likeness of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hail Mary four
Genesis 2:23
And Adam said: this is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.
Hail Mary five
Mother of God
In this name, Theotokos, resides a great mystery. God Himself becomes flesh of a woman's flesh. The creation of Adam and Eve is renewed in Mary's womb. The Creator become His creature, man. Mary holds God in her body. How can we appreciate this great mystery of grace?
Hail Mary six
Dear Mother, pray that we may be encompassed by Christ, becoming one with Him. Help us, as you are one with Him in glory. You are the New Eve, allowing the Yes of your heart, mind, and will to change history, our history, my history.
Hail Mary seven
Genesis 3:30
And Adam called the name of his wife Eve: because she was the mother of all the living.
Hail Mary eight
Holy Virgin of Virgins
Mary's "fiat" did not destroy her virginity. Mary became all she was created to be-Virgin and Mother-with her entire being given to God. She, alone, is the complete woman.
Hail Mary nine
Blessed, blessed Virgin, Mother of the long-awaited Messiah, Mother of the Christ, you are the bearer of our freedom. Pray that we may respond to this freedom by following completely, as you did, in our way, the Will of God in our lives.
Hail Mary ten
Glory Be
Fatima Prayer
To be continued....
