October; the month of the Rosary

October is the month traditionally dedicated to the Rosary. Here is a brief history of the Rosary: in the beginning of the 13th century the Blessed virgin Mary appeared to St. Dominic who had been struggling in fighting a certain heresy that was popular. This heresy believed that only the spirit was good while material things were evil. They believed that marriage was wrong, and would do some sorts of activities (e.g. fasting) that would bring them to harm. St. Dominic had founded the Dominican Order, which is an order dedicated to preaching primarily. However, the Dominicans were have a very difficult time with this particular heresy. St. Dominic in his distress retreated to a deserted place and fasted, prayed, and did mortification to ask God's help as what he should do to bring these people back to the truth. On the third day of his retreat, Mary appeared to St. Dominic telling him to bring about the practice of the Rosary; to preach it and to pray it. This, St. Dominic did faithfully. It proved to be the greatest weapon in defeating the false heresy of the time. However, almost 800 years have passed since St. Dominic's time. Is the rosary still appropriate? Most certainly! The power of the Rosary is needed today more than ever. Think about the problems our world is facing today: Abortion (thousands of un-born children killed every year), Euthanasia, terrorism, Relativism, and many other huge problems. Catholics unite! Let's get a prayin'!

HOW DO I PRAY THE ROSARY??? For those of you left in the dust of how in the world you pray the rosary here you go: The Rosary begins with the Apostle's Creed (on the crucifix of a rosary), then 1 Our Father (on the next bead), and then 3 Hail Marys (on the next 3 beads), and finally you say the Glory Be. Then you start the first decade of the Rosary. You reflect a few seconds on the first mystery and then you say one Our Father and ten Hail Marys and conclude each decade with the Glory Be. Also, Our Lady of Fatima in the beginning of the last century has asked us to pray after each Glory Be the following prayer: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven especially those most in need of Thy Mercy. "

After doing five decades, you conclude the Rosary with the Hail Holy Queen prayer. That's it in a briefcase.

Decades of the Rosary

Sundays and Wednesdays-Glorious Mysteries-1. Resurrection (Luke 24:1)

2. Ascension of Jesus into Heaven (Luke 24:50)

3. Decent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1)

4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven

Mondays and Saturdays-Joyful Mysteries-1. The Annunciation. (The Angel Gabriel declaring the Incarnation to Mary) (Luke 1:26) 2. The Visitation (When Mary visited Elizabeth) (Luke 1:39)

3. The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1)

4. The Presenting of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22)

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41)

Tuesdays and Fridays-Sorrowful Mysteries-1. The Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:39)

2. The Scourging of Christ at the pillar (John 19:1)

3. The Crowning of Thorns (John 19:1)

4. Jesus Carrying His Cross (John 19:17)

5. The crucifixion of Christ (John 19:18)

Thursdays-Luminous Mysteries-1. The Baptism of Christ (Luke 3:21)

2. Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1)

3. The proclamation of the kingdom (Matthew 4:17)

4. The Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1)

5. The institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper. (Luke 22:19)

As you pray each decade, meditate on the particular mystery!