The Rosary - Joyful Mysteries

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

All:  Amen

Leader: We pray this rosary with the intentions for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  May our local community be open to supporting those who the Lord is calling. 
(pause)

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 rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. From thence he shall 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: for the virtues of faith, hope and charity.

Pray One Our Father, three Hail Marys and one Glory be.

For each mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and one Glory be.

Annunciation:  Each vocation has a call and a response.  Mary was not expecting the Angel Gabriel to appear to her nor was she expecting the angel to ask her to be the mother of our Lord.  Without delay and without excuse, she accepted the message of the angel and said yes.  As we meditate on this mystery, let us pray we have the courage to respond, without delay, to our vocation.

Visitation:  Mary finds her vocation early in life; Elizabeth later.  What is important is both find their vocation and respond to the Lord with great joy.  Joy in finding one’s vocation and place in God’s plan is illustrated in this mystery when Elizabeth greets Mary, when John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb, and when Mary sings her song of praise.  As we meditate on this mystery, let us pray that we receive the grace to seek God’s plan in our lives so we may have that same joy.

Nativity:  Faithfully embracing our vocation can be difficult.  Neither Joseph nor Mary totally understood what was asked of them, yet they endured the hardship of traveling across the desert at an 8 month pregnancy, giving birth in a stable, having strangers come in the middle of the night to embrace the baby, and leaving in a hurry so the child does not get killed.  Yet through all of this, Joseph led his family with great courage.  All these are signs that embracing our vocation can be difficult.  As we meditate on this mystery, let us pray for those who struggle with the difficulties of their vocation that they may be given the same courage and fortitude given to Joseph.

Presentation in the Temple:  Simeon lived his vocation so faithfully and thoughtfully that the Holy Spirit promised him he would not die until he saw the Messiah.  Simeon’s award is what awaits all of us who live out our vocation; to see God and be eternally happy with him in heaven.  As we meditate on this mystery, let us pray that we have the obedience to follow the will of God in our lives so we may reach our ultimate reward, eternal life in heaven with God.

Finding in the Temple: Vocation demands action.  Even though it caused his mother and Joseph to worry, Jesus wasted no time being about the will of his father in heaven.  Without acting on it, no vocation can be fulfilled.  As we meditate on this mystery, let us pray for the strength to act in cooperation with God’s plan for us.

Conclusion

All: Hail Holy Queen mother of mercy, 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 toward us, and after this exile show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.  Amen

Leader: Pray for us O Holy Mother of God

All: that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Leader: Let us pray,

All: O God, whose only begotten Son, by His death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. Grant, we beseech thee, that by meditating on these 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. Amen.

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