Sunday, January 13, 2008

block rosary prayer guide

Re: Block Rosary Guide
Fr: Legion of Mary (nd). “Pilgrim Virgin”.

ACCEPTANCE PRAYER

Our mother and mother of Christ, we are happy and honored by your visit in our home, which you have made worthy to be the abode of our love and affection. During these days that you will stay with us, please bless our family and always abide with us through your graces. Give us, beloved mother, your blessings. Bless this home and those members of our family who are away and deliver us from all evils. From now on we are consecrating our minds, our hearts and our works to you, since you are our mother, and grant that we may comply with the commandments of your son Jesus Christ and with the commandments of mother church. We pledge to make this visit arouse us to a true love of god and to true devotion to you, so that we may fulfill our duties to ourselves, our neighbors, and to society. May peace reign in the world. Our lady of the Rosary, pray for us.

MARY COMES TO OUR HOME (stand)

L: let us pray well “as if our blessed lady herself instead of her statue, is visibly present among us”.
A: for love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, let us pray slowly and from the heart.
L: “and Jesus told them a parable, to the effect they ought always to pray and not to lose heart.” (Lk 18:1)
A: lord Jesus, savior of the world, “teach us how to pray” (Lk 11:1).
L: “and Jesus answered them, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will. And whenever you stand praying, forgive. If you have anything against anyone, so that you father, also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mk 11:24-25).
A: we humbly ask all the holy angels and saints to join us now in prayer.

INVOCATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

A: (+) in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.
L: come, Holy Spirit, fill all hearts with the fire of thy love and the light of they truth. Send forth thy spirit, and thou shalt make all things new.
A: breathe in us, O Holy Spirit, that our thoughts may all be holy. Act in us, O Holy Spirit, that our works may be holy. Draw our hearts, O Holy Spirit, that we may love what is holy. Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit to defend all that is holy. Guard us then, O Holy Spirit, that we may always be holy. (St. Augustine)
A: (sing or recite) come, Holy Ghost, creator blest, and in our souls take up they rest, come with they grace and heavenly aid, to fill the hearts, which thou hast made.
L: send forth thy Spirt and they shall be created.
A: and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray: o god, who didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people by sending them the light of the Holy Spirit, grand us by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

WELCOM TO MARY

L: the mother of Jesus has come to his home. Let us give her a warm welcome.
A: “hail Mary, full of grace! The lord Jesus is with you” (Lk 1:28)
L: Mary always greets god’s children with words of love. Listen!
A: Mary entered the house … and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greetings of Mary, the baby in her womb leapt for joy. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Lk 1:40-41)
L: how beautiful that the mother of the lord Jesus has come to this home. Let us humbly say to Mary.
A: “why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43)
L: there can be but one reason for Mary’s visit.
A: “His mother said to the servant, ‘do whatever Jesus tells you’. (Jn 2:5)
L: is this not the way the most obedient Virgin Mary, beloved daughter of the heavenly father, always speaks? How did she answer god’s messenger, Gabriel? Listen!
A: “and Mary said, behold! The servant girl of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)
A: and blessed are those who love and honor the Mother of Jesus Christ, our lord and savior, Mary, the immaculate virgin of Nazareth.

AND MARY SAID

L: my soul magnifies the lord, and my spirit rejoices in god my savior. (Lk 1:46-47)
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: for he has regarded the humility of his handmaid, for behold! Henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. (Lk 1:48)
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Lk 1:49)
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: and his mercy is from age to age on those who fear him. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered he proud in the conceit of their hearts. (Lk 1:50-51)
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: he has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble. (Lk 1:52)
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. (Lk 1:52)
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: he has helped Israel, his servant in remembrance of his mercy. (Lk 1:54)
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
A: A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever (L
A: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
L: “an Mary stayed in the home of Elizabeth about three months” (Lk 1:56).

THE MOST HOLY ROSARY IS NOW PRAYED (please all kneel)

THE APOSTLES CREED
I believe in god, the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father. He will come again 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, and the resurrection of the body, an d the everlasting life.

THE OUR FATHER
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 form evil. Amen.

THE HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of god, pray fof us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

[DOXOLOGY] THE GLORY BE TO THE FATHER
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.

AFTER EACH DECADE, say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima:

“o my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy”.

AS A RULE, the FOUR MYSTERIS are said on the following days:
Joyful: Mondays and Saturdays
Sorrowful: Tuesdays and Fridays
Glorious: Wednesdays and Sundays
Luminous: Thursdays

EXCEPTION: Sundays of Christmas season – joyful; Sundays of lent – sorrowful


THE JOYFUL MYSTERIS (Mondays and Saturdays)
1st joyful mystery – the annunciation

The angel Gabriel said to Mary: “hail, full of grace, the lord is with you. Blessed are you, among women. You shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name, Jesus…’ Mary answered, ‘behold the handmaid of the lord: be it done to me according to your word.’ (Lk 1:28, 31, 38).

Spiritual fruit: humility

2nd joyful mystery – the visitation

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb … the moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby in my womb leapt for joy.” (Lk 1:42-44)

Spiritual fruit: love of neighbor

3rd joyful mystery – the birth of Jesus

And it came to pass while they were there, that the days for Mary to deliver were fulfilled. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Lk 2:6-7)

Spiritual fruit: poverty to spirit

4th joyful mystery – the presentation

When the days of her purification were fulfilled, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the lord. Simeon blessed them and said to his mother: ‘behold, this child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many and for a sign that shall be contradicted and thy own soul a sword shall pierce”. (Lk 2:22, 34, 35)

Spiritual fruit: purity of mind and body

5th joyful mystery – the finding of the child Jesus in the temple

After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions… and he returned with his parents to Nazareth and was obedient to them. (Lk 2:46, 51)

Spiritual fruit: obedience


THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIS (Tuesdays and Fridays)

1st sorrowful mystery – the agony in the garden

Kneeling down, he began to pray, ‘father, if it be your will, take this cup form me, yet not my will be done but yours be done…’ in his anguish he prayed even more intensely, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Lk 22:42, 44)

Spiritual fruit: God’s will be done

2nd sorrowful mystery – the scouring at the pillar

Pilate released Barabbas to them. Jesus, however, he first had scourged; then he handed him over to be crucified. (Mt 27:26)

Spiritual fruit: mortification of the senses

3rd sorrowful mystery – the crowning with thorns

Weaving a crown of thorns, they fixed it on his head, and placed a reed in his right hand. To make fun of him, they knelt before him saying: ‘hail king of the Jews.’ They spat on him, and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. (Mt 29:29, 30)

Spiritual fruit: reign of Christ in our hearts

4th sorrowful mystery – the carrying of the cross

When the soldiers had finished mocking him… they led him away to crucify him. On the way they laid hold of a certain Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and upon him they laid the cross to bear it after Jesus. (Mt 27:31, Lk 23:26)

Spiritual fruit: patient bearing of trials

5th sorrowful mystery – the crucifixion

When they came to the place called the skull, they crucified him. Jesus said, ‘father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’… there was darkness over the whole land until the 9th hour… and Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘father, into your hands I commend my spirit’. (Lk 23:33, 34, 44, 46)

Spiritual fruit: pardoning of injuries
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (Wednesdays and Sundays)

1st glorious mystery – the resurrection

And looking up they saw that the stone had been rolled back, for it was very large… on entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right side… who said to them, ‘do not be afraid, you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. he is risen, he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him’. (Mk 16:4-6)

Spiritual fruit: faith

2nd glorious mystery – the ascension

Then, after speaking to them, the lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his seat at god’s right hand. (Mk 16:19)

Spiritual fruit: Christian hope

3rd glorious mystery – the descent of the Holy Spirit

And there appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, which settled upon each of them. and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak. (Acts 2:3, 4)

Spiritual fruit: gifts of the Holy Spirit

4th glorious mystery – the assumption

Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one and come! You are all beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish in you. (SOS 2:10, 4:7). You are the glory of Jerusalem… you are the splendid boast of our people. (Jdt 15:9)

5th glorious mystery – the coronation

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman, clothed with the sin, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev 12:1)

Spiritual fruit: grace of the final perseverance


THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (Thursdays)

1st luminous mystery – the baptism of our lord in the river Jordan

The baptism of Christ in the Jordan River. As Christ, the innocent one who became “sin” for our sake (1 Cor 5:21), descends into the waters, the heavens open wide and the voice of the father declares him the beloved son (Mt 3:17), while the Holy Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out.

Spiritual fruit: sacrament of baptism

2nd luminous mystery – the self-manifestation: wedding at cana

The miracle at the wedding at Cana. (Jn 2:1-12) this is the first self-manifestation of Christ, showing the first of the signs, where he, at the gentle prodding of Mary, changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith.

Spiritual fruit: fidelity

3rd luminous mystery – the proclamation of the kingdom of god

The preaching of Christ by his proclamation of the coming of the kingdom of god, and his calls to conversion, (Mk 1:15) he preaches the forgiveness of sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust (Mk 2:3-13; Lk 7:47-48), present in the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to his church. (Jn 20:22-23)

Spiritual fruit: desire for holiness

4th luminous mystery – the transfiguration of our lord

Christ’s transfiguration before the apostles peter, james and john who were entranced by the beauty of the redeemer. As the father commands the astonished apostles to “listen to him” (Lk 9:35) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual fruit: spiritual courage

5th luminous mystery – the institution of the Eucharist: the last supper

Christ’s offering of his body and blood. His offering of his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and professes “to the end” his love for all humanity (Jn 13:1), for all our salvation, in which he will offer himself in sacrifice.

Spiritual fruit: love for our Eucharistic lord


PRAYER AFTER THE ROSARY

Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

L: pray for us, O holy mother of god.
A: that we may8 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 meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the blessed virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise through the same Christ our lord, amen.

LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Lord, have mercy on us. – Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. – Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. – Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. – Christ, graciously hear us.

[Response: Have mercy on us.]

God the father of heaven,
God the son, redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy trinity, one god.

[Response: Pray for us.]

Holy Mary, Holy mother of god, Holy virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother immaculate, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel, Mother of our creator, Mother of our savior, mother of the church, virgin most prudent, virgin most venerable, virgin most renowned, virgin most powerful, virgin most merciful, virgin most faithful, mirror of justice, seat of wisdom, cause of our joy, spiritual vessel, vessel of honor, singular vessel of devotion, mystical rose, tower of David, tower of ivory, house of gold, ark of the covenant, gate of heaven, morning star, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, help of Christians, queen of angels, queen of patriarchs, queen of prophets, queen of apostles, queen of martyrs, queen of confessors, queen of virgins, queen of all saints, queen conceived without original sin, queen assumed into heaven, queen of the most holy rosary, queen of peace.

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. – have mercy on us.

L: pray for us, o holy mother of god.
A: that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: grant unto us, thy servants, we beseech thee, o lord god, at all times to enjoy health of soul and body. And by the glorious intercession of the blessed Mary, ever virgin, when freed from the sorrows of this present life, to enter into that joy which hath no end, through Christ our lord. amen.

A: (stand) let us pray: dearest mother Mary, most beautiful mother of our lord Jesus Christ, we humbly beg you – stay with us now, today, tomorrow and forever. This home is yours. Teach us how to be true and faithful children of god, to obey humbly our heavenly father, to love Jesus more than all other creatures, to respect our bodies as true temples of the Holy Spirit. Teach us how to pray always. Teach us how to accept suffering as the royal road to heaven. Help us carry our cross to Calvary as Jesus did. Show us how to love one another as Jesus commanded. Fill our hearts with purity and modesty. Fill our minds with holy thoughts especially the word of God found in the gospels. Send holy angels to watch over us, to protect us from the hatred of the evil one. Send the saints to inspire us, to do all the greater honor and glory of god. Pray to the blessed trinity, the father, son and holy Spirit that we might become holy and pleasing in their sight. Amen.

IMMACULATE MOTHER (all sing)

Immaculate mother, to you do we plead,
To ask god, our father for help in our needs.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

We pray for our country, the land of our birth,
We pray for all nations, that peace be on earth.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.


FAREWELL PRAYER

O beloved mother, the time has come, for your departure from our home, your home also during your stay with us. Our lips cannot express the joy overflowing in our hearts. Inspired by your love mother, you desired to be with us, even for only a while. Thank you, mother. Thank you. Come back some other day. We will wait for you with profound ardor. Upon your departure, take with you our hearts. Never allow us to forget you nor to stray away from your care now and forever. Amen.

MARY’S FAREWELL (stand)

L: “Anyone who does not know the Gospel, does not know Christ”. (St. Jerome)
A: “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart”. (Lk 2:19)
L: “In those days Jesus went out into the hills to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to god.” (Lk 6:12)
A: Come, Holy Spirit, for love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, teach us how to pray!
L: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse, you, pray for those who abuse you, and as you wish that men do to you, do to them”. (Lk 6:27-28, 31)
A: Come, Holy Spirit, for love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, teach us how to love!
L: “Whatever home you enter, first say, Peace be to this home! And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him”. (Lk 10:5-6)
A: Come, Holy Spirit, for love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, fill this home with peace!
L: But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but beat his breast saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner”! I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other. (Lk 18:13-14)
A: Come, Holy Spirit, for love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, be merciful to me, a sinner!
L: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me, cannot be my disciple”. (Lk 14:27)
A: Come, Holy Spirit, for love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, give us strength to bear our cross!
L: “And Jesus knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the more earnestly; and his seat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground”. (Lk 22:41-44)
A: Come, Holy Spirit, for love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may the Father’s will be done perfectly in all souls!
L: “Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother… when Jesus saw his mother and disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘woman, behold, your son!’ then he said to the disciple, ‘behold, your mother!’ and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (Jn 19:25-17)

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY (kneel)

L: “If we would go up to God, and be united with Him, we must use the same means he used to come down to us to be made man and to impart His grace to us. That means that we should have a true devotion to our blessed lady”. (secret of Mary, St. Louis Marie de Montfort)
A: Lord Jesus Crucified, we thank you and love you: for not only did you give us yourself on the cross. But you also gave us your mother Mary. Following the example of your beloved disciple John, we have welcomed you Mother into our home. Please, dearest Mary, make our hearts burn with love for the blessed trinity; the father, son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach us to look upon Jesus, whom we have pierced by our sins. We will say like Thomas the Apostle; “Do you love Me”? with you Mary and Joseph, with saint Michael archangel and all the holy angels, with saints Peter and Paul and all the saints, we ardently desire to shout our answer, “yes, Lord Jesus, we do love you!” make our love grow greater day by day”.
L: “And inspired by the spirit, Simeon came into the temple… he blessed Mary and Joseph and he said to Mary, the mother of Jesus, ‘behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel… a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.’” (Lk 2:27, 34-35)
A: O sorrowful Immaculate Heart of Mary, sweetest gift of Jesus to all men, we have welcomed you as our Mother and Queen. All that is ours now and forever, we consecrate to you; so that you might present this treasure in our name, to your beloved son Jesus, our Lord and savior. May he offer it to his heavenly Father. O mother Mary, guard and protect us. Guide and inspire us. Pray for us and love us always as most beloved children of our heavenly father. Come, Holy Spirit, make us true children of God, loving brothers and sisters of Jesus, through the sorrowful Immaculate Heart of Mary! Come, Lord Jesus, come!


FINAL HYMNS

GIVE THANKS
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks, because He has given Jesus Christ, his son.
And now let the weak say “I am strong.”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us,
Give thanks.

HOLY GOD
Holy God, we praise Thy name,
Lord of all, we bow before Thee;
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in heaven above adore Thee.

Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign,

Hark, the loud celestial hymn,
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and Seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising.

Fill the heavens with sweet accord,
Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

holy rosary: importance

"'i bless your rosaries and i hope you will always be faithful to use it."
- our lady, mary, mediatrix of all garce, 1948 sept 19, lipa carmel, in keithley, j. (1992). lipa. mandalyuong, mm: cacho, p, 198.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

openness to graces

"'my children who believe in me, do not refuse GRACES that are offered to you.'"
- our lady, mary, mediatrix of all grace, 1948 sept 19, lipa carmel, in keithley, j. (1992). lipa. mandaluyong, mm: cacho, p. 198. (as quoted by me in my journal dated 2005 nov 3, bur dubai, uae)

my prayer: thank you, o mama mary for mediating graces for me personally and for my family, as an extension, not only materially, but psycho-spiritually as well. (2008 jan 3, jumeriah, dubai, uae)