Holy Hour for the feast of the Most Holy Rosary

 The following is a prayer guide if you wish to pray a Holy Hour on this feast of the Most Holy Rosary. 

Holy Hour for the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary

We begin our time of prayer on this the feast of the Holy Rosary with the hymn:

As I kneel before you

Most of us have at least a few precious photographs in our homes, or perhaps on our phones! They keep the most important people and events of our lives in our minds, so that they’re not just distant memories but a part of who we are today. The Rosary is much like our precious photos or other mementos: it’s a simple, tangible way of keeping the most important person in our life, Jesus. But because the Rosary is a prayer, not just an object, it actually connects us to Jesus and helps us to deepen our relationship with Him.

Saint John Paul II wrote in his encyclical, that the Rosary is a way of “remembering Christ with Mary,” who knows Him as only a mother can. St Luke tells us that Mary continually meditated on the mysteries in her Son’s life and “pondered all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2: 19). It is not just saying prayers. By focusing on the lives of Christ and Mary through meditation on the mysteries, we learn about ourselves in relation to God. Mary herself is an excellent model for the daily practice of meditation. She received the word of God through Gabriel. She pondered God’s word in her heart. She took in the events around her, capturing them internally and carrying them within her like a treasure. This is the essence of meditation—receiving God’s word and making it our treasure. 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 prayers we repeat as we meditate on these Mysteries are deeply rooted in the Bible. Pope John Paul I explained, “The Rosary is a procession of Our Fathers, the prayer taught by Jesus; of Hail Marys, the salutation of God to the Virgin by means of the Angel; of Glory Be's, the praise of the Most Holy Trinity.” These prayers are so basic to our faith and so rich in meaning that we can never repeat them too often or get tired of them.

Whenever we come to pray, we come and converse as if with a friend, with someone who knows even better than we know ourselves. As Saint John Paul II said, The Rosary is a true conversation with Mary, our Heavenly Mother.  In the Rosary we speak to Mary so that she may intercede for us with her Son, Jesus.  Thus, we speak to God through Mary. The Rosary is a confidential conversation with Mary, in which we speak to her freely and trustingly.  We confide in her our troubles, reveal to her our hopes, and open our hearts to her.  We declare that we are at her disposal for whatever she, in the name of her Son, may ask of us.  We promise faithfulness to her in every circumstance, even the most painful and difficult, sure of her protection, sure that if we ask, she will obtain from her Son all the graces necessary for our salvation.

Quiet prayer

Hymn: Mary most Holy

 ROSARY
We gather to pray our Rosary to pray and intercede for the needs of our world, our families, friends, communities and all those who turn to Mary asking for her maternal help.

We take a moment at the beginning of this Rosary to present our intentions, either aloud or in silence.

O God come to my aid;
O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.

The 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.

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 thee: blessed art thou among 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.

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..

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.

First Joyful mystery: The Annunciation. 
The message from the Angel Gabriel is profound and yet so simple. The Heavenly Father asks Mary to usher in our salvation into human history by saying Yes to God’s eternal Word but He waits to hear Mary’s fiat; her yes to bring this about. God does not force his mercy and love, but always extends an invitation to open our hearts and minds, with the help of His grace. May each of us, imitate Mary and always be open and ready to give our Yes to God in our daily life.

Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.
In the Scriptures, we read that after the Annunciation, Mary went in “haste” to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was with child. Mary could not contain herself, as she was filled with “joy” and the love of Jesus. Mary could not keep the “good news” of the Incarnation to herself. The word haste is so important. So also, Mary whispers to each of us to go in “haste” to care for others in need, and to bring the Good News, Jesus to others in our everyday life. We especially are called to do this in the simple and common things of life.

Third Joyful Mystery - The Birth of Jesus 
At Christmas, we all celebrate the birth of a newborn baby. There is such joy, excitement and preparation for this birthday, and this is rightly so since this baby is the Divine Infant Jesus. But this should be the same for all new life that comes from the breath of God’s love. As we all know too well, this is not the case in modern culture. Jesus came to give us life. He came to exchange the crib for a cross of redemption. On the cross, he thirsted for us and cried out to all that is finished. But our part is not completed, until we each breathe our last and return to him, after having persevered in the faith.

Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Joseph and Mary bring the baby Jesus to the Temple to consecrate Him to the Father. While they are there, Simeon approaches them and takes the Child in his arms. We imitate Mary and present ourselves and offer all that we have each day to the Heavenly Father.  We give it all to Him.  And we journey through our lives with our own crosses and walk with Jesus, with Mary at our side, not only to the Calvary of our lives, but to the incomprehensible joy of the Resurrection.

Fifth Joyful Mystery - The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Jesus is now 12 years old when He celebrates the Passover in Jerusalem with Joseph and Mary.  Unknown to Mary and Joseph, Jesus does not return to Nazareth but remains in the Temple. For three days, Joseph and Mary search for the Child Jesus. Where Jesus is, there is true peace and joy.  Yet, we can find Jesus in so many diverse ways.  Scripture, personal prayer, good works for people, the Church, and the Sacraments.  By far the most excellent and perfect finding of Jesus is where He told Mary and Joseph some 2000 years ago: in the Temple!  In the tabernacles of His Church in the Holy Eucharist! Here, he is waiting for each one of us. 

 

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 merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

Pray for us O holy Mother of God, 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 thee, that, while meditating on these sacred mysteries of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary that we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord.

LITANY OF LORETO

Lord, have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Christ have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.  
Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Mother of Christ, pray for us. Mother of divine grace, pray for us.

Mother most pure, pray for us. Mother most chaste, pray for us.

Mother inviolate, pray for us. Mother undefiled, pray for us.

Mother most amiable, pray for us. Mother most admirable, pray for us.

Mother of good counsel, pray for us. Mother of our Creator, pray for us.

Mother of our Savior, pray for us. Mother of the Church, pray for us.

Virgin most prudent, pray for us. Virgin most venerable, pray for us.

Virgin most renowned, pray for us. Virgin most powerful, pray for us.

Virgin most merciful, pray for us. Virgin most faithful, pray for us.

Mirror of justice, pray for us. Seat of wisdom, pray for us.

Cause of our joy, pray for us. Spiritual vessel, pray for us.

Vessel of honor, pray for us. Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.

Mystical rose, pray for us. Tower of David, pray for us.

Tower of ivory, pray for us. House of gold, pray for us.

Ark of the covenant, pray for us. Gate of Heaven, pray for us.

Morning star, pray for us. Health of the sick, pray for us.

Refuge of sinners, pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.

Help of Christians, pray for us. Queen of angels, pray for us.

Queen of patriarchs, pray for us. Queen of prophets, pray for us.

Queen of apostles, pray for us. Queen of martyrs, pray for us.

Queen of confessors, pray for us. Queen of virgins, pray for us.

Queen of all saints, pray for us. Queen conceived without Original Sin, pray for us.

Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us. Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.

Queen of peace, pray for us.

 Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us o Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Let Us Pray:

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we your servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

Closing hymn: Mary, Most Holy
Mary most holy from your hands falling
Are heaven’s blessings, hear us now calling
Teach us to pray and work for God’s glory
Ave Maria, Ave

Help us to witness, Christ is still living
Service to others, cheerfully giving,
Teach us to pray and work for God’s glory
Ave Maria, Ave

Through joy and sorrow, each day’s condition
Ever dear Mother, hear our petition
Teach us to pray and work for God’s glory
Ave Maria, Ave.

(Prepared by Sr. M. Louise O' Rourke, pddm)