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THE ROSARY and it´s History

The Holy Rosary now consists of four sets of five mysteries - Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and now the Luminous introduced by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II for the year of the rosary - each mystery consisting of a set of prayers.

It is possible that the Rosary began with the laity imitating the Divine Office during which the monks recited 150 psalms daily. The laity often replaced the psalms with 50 or even 150 Ave Maria's (Hail Mary's) because often they could not read.

The first historical reference to the Rosary is from the life of St. Dominic (died 1221). He founded the Order of Preachers. Tradition says that the devotion began when Our Lady said to Him: "One day through the Rosary and the Scapular I will save the world." With the Rosary, he preached in France during the time when the Albigensian heresy was destroying the faith there.

The Blessed Mother herself asked for the practice as an antidote for heresy and sin.

Alan de Roche, one of St. Dominic's future disciples began to establish Rosary confraterities to promote the praying of the Rosary. Popes and Saints over the centuries have encouraged the praying of the Rosary, asking our Blessed Mother for Her intercession.

Rosary means "crown of roses", a spiritual bouquet given to the Blessed Mother from her children.

Whilst being in prayer the mind meditates on the mysteries. In this way the heart, mind and soul are formed according to the examples of Our Saviour, His first disciples and the Blessed Virgen.

The Rosary is prayed today so that we may grow in holiness and so that our prayer life may be enhanced.

The Rosary is also good formation for families so that they may grow in faith and understanding.