The Rosary

A Salesian Method of Praying the Rosary

(This is based on the writings of St. Francis de Sales adapted by Rev. John Hanley, OSFS)

 Leader: Let us place ourselves in the presence of God

§ the God who is present in all things and in all places in creation (pause);

§ God who is especially present in our heart and in the very center of our spirit (pause);

§ God, in His humanity, who looks down upon His children from heaven, especially those at prayer (pause);

§ and God who is truly present but unseen standing next to us (pause).

(All kiss the crucifix on the rosary and silently making the sign of the cross saying…)

All: My God, by the sign of your cross, deliver me from my enemies.

Leader: 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; the third day he arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the God, the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

All: 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.

Leader: (upon the first large bead) O holy Trinity--- Father, Son and Spirit--- we adore and honor you. Give us your grace to pray this rosary in a manner most pleasing to you.

All: O God, come to our assistance!

Leader: Let us pray in the words Our Savior has taught us.

All: “Our Father…”

Leader: (on the first of the smaller three beads) Let us implore the intercession of Mary the dearest daughter of the Father that God may accept our prayer.

All: “Hail Mary…”

Leader: (on the second of the three smaller beads) Let us implore the intercession of Mary, the most-beloved Mother of the Son of God.

All: “ Hail Mary…”

Leader: (on the third and last of the three smaller beads) Let us implore the intercession of Mary, the only true spouse of the Holy Spirit.

All: “Hail Mary…”

Leader: (on the last large bead) O God, in your mercy, accept our prayers for those for whom we now pray (especially________________).

All: “Our Father…”

(Upon the following five decades, one may think of some holy subject or upon the joyous, sorrowful or glorious mysteries

Mondays and Saturdays: The Joyful Mysteries

• the Annunciation

• the Visitation

• the Birth of Jesus

• the Presentation in the Temple

• the Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Tuesdays and Fridays: The Sorrowful Mysteries

• the Agony in the Garden

• the Scourging at the Pillar

• the Crowning with Thorns

• the Carrying of the Cross

• the Crucifixion

Wednesdays and Sundays: The Glorious Mysteries

• the Resurrection

• the Ascension

• the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

• the Assumption of Mary

• the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven

Thursdays: The Luminous Mysteries

• the Baptism in the Jordan

• the Wedding at Cana

• the proclamation of the Kingdom of God

• the Transfiguration

• the institution of the Eucharist

(Prayer at the end of each decade, after the “Glory Be...”)

All: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to heaven especially those in most need of thy mercy.

(After the fifth decade is recited the Memorare -- the same prayer prayed by a young Francis de Sales to end his crisis of faith.)

All: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgins of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come, before you I kneel sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Leader: (on the first large bead) O Lord, we thank you for the grace to offer these prayers to You.

All: “Our Father…

Leader: (on the first of the three smaller beads) O Holy Virgin Mary, offer our understanding to the eternal Father so that we might carefully consider His blessings.

All: “Hail Mary…”

Leader: (on the second of the three smaller beads) O Holy Virgin Mary, present our memory to your Son, Jesus that we might continually recall His sufferings.

All: “Hail Mary…”

Leader: (on the third of the three smaller beads) O Holy Virgin Mary, give our will to the Holy Spirit so that it might be inflamed with the fire of His love.

All: “Hail Mary…”

Leader: (on the last large bead) Most Merciful God, we beseech you to accept this prayer to the honor and glory of your Name.

All: “Our Father…”

All: (optional) Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen

Leader / All respond:

St. Francis de Sales ... (pray for us)

St. Jane de Chantal…(pray for us)

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque…(pray for us)

St. Leonie de Sales Aviat…(pray for us)

Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Litany of St. Francis de Sales

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

R. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father in Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

St. Francis, admirable bishop, pray for us.

St. Francis, beloved of God, pray for us.

St. Francis, imitator of Jesus Christ, pray for us.

St. Francis, filled with the gifts of the Lord, pray for us.

St. Francis, favorite of the Mother of God, pray for us.

St. Francis, most devout of the saints, pray for us.

St. Francis, burning with love for the Cross of Christ, pray for us.

St. Francis, most closely united to the divine will, pray for us.

St. Francis, vessel of election, pray for us.

St. Francis, light of the Church, pray for us.

St. Francis, perfect model of religious, pray for us.

St. Francis, source of wisdom, pray for us.

St. Francis, defender of the Catholic Faith, pray for us.

St. Francis, good shepherd of thy people, pray for us.

St. Francis, incomparable preacher, pray for us.

St. Francis, scourge of heresy, pray for us.

St. Francis, salt of the earth, pray for us.

St. Francis, model of justice, pray for us.

St. Francis, mirror of humility, pray for us.

St. Francis, despiser of the world, pray for us.

St. Francis, lover of poverty, pray for us.

St. Francis, type of sweetness, pray for us.

St. Francis, conqueror of carnal passions, pray for us.

St. Francis, terror of devils, pray for us.

St. Francis, merciful support of penitents, pray for us.

St. Francis, refuge of sinners, pray for us.

St. Francis, providence of the poor, pray for us.

St. Francis, consoler of the afflicted, pray for us.

St. Francis, example of perfections, pray for us.

St. Francis, ark of holiness, pray for us.

St. Francis, imitator of the purity of the angels, pray for us.

St. Francis, cherub of wisdom, pray for us.

St. Francis, seraph of love, pray for us.

St. Francis, our holy patriarch, pray for us.

St. Francis, our sweet light, pray for us.

St. Francis, our mighty protector, pray for us.

St. Francis, our guide in the ways of God, pray for us.

St. Francis, our refuge, pray for us.

St. Francis, emulator of the angels, pray for us.

St. Francis, imitator of the Apostles, pray for us.

St. Francis, sharer in the glory of the martyrs, pray for us.

St. Francis, glory of holy confessors, pray for us.

St. Francis, teacher and director of virgins, pray for us.

St. Francis, glorious fellow citizen of all the saints, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O

Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously

hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy

on us.

V. Pray for us, O blessed Francis de Sales,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray.

O God, by Whose gracious will the blessed Francis, Thy confessor

and bishop, became all things unto all men for the salvation of their

souls, mercifully grant that being filled with the sweetness of Thy

love, we may, through the guidance of his counsels and the aid of

his merits, attain unto the joys of life everlasting.

R. Amen.