The Rosary

[StColette]

:wub: In Honor of the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary :wub:

The feast of the Holy Rosary was established by Saint Pius V on the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto, October 7, 1571. The victory was attributed to the help of the holy Mother of God whose aid was invoked through praying the Rosary.

The celebration of this day invites all to mediate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was so singularly associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God. From the Christian Prayer(Liturgy of the Hours)

[b]Biblical Evidence and Basis of the Rosary[/b]

In defense of Our Lady and her Rosary I compiled each verse that gives evidence of the Mysteries of the Rosary within Scripture.

[color=blue][b]The Joyful Mysteries [/b][/color]

[b]The Annunciation [/b]

Luke 1:26-33
26 ¶ And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end.

[b]Visitation to Elizabeth[/b]

Luke 1:39-45

39 ¶ And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda.
40 And she entered into the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth.
41 And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
45 And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

[b]The Birth of Jesus[/b]

Luke 2:1-7
1 ¶ And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
2 This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David.
5 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6 And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.

[b]Christ's Presentation in the Temple[/b]

Luke 2:22-35
22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:
23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:
24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons:
25 ¶ And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon: and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said
29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace:
30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted.
35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.

[b]Christ found in the temple[/b]

Luke 2:41-51
41 ¶ And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,
43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not.
44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.
45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.
48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?
50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.

[color=blue][b]The Sorrowful Mysteries [/b][/color]

[b]The Agony in the Garden[/b]

Matthew 26:36-39
36 ¶ Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.
37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.
38 Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch with me.
39 And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.

[b]Scourging at the Pillar[/b]

Matthew 27:26:
26 ¶ Then he released to them Barabbas: and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified.

[b]Crowning with Thorns[/b]

Mt 27:27-29
27 Then the soldiers of the governor, taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band.
28 And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him.
29 And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews.

[b]Carrying of the Cross[/b]

John 19:16,17
16 ¶ Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led him forth.
17 And bearing his own cross, he went forth to the place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.

[b]Crucifixion and death of Christ. [/b]

John 19:18-30
18 Where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst.
19 ¶ And Pilate wrote a title also: and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20 This title therefore many of the Jews did read: because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin.
21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not: The King of the Jews. But that he said: I am the King of the Jews.
22 Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written.
23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments, (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
24 They said then one to another: Let us not cut it but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots. And the soldiers indeed did these things.
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.
26 When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.
27 After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.
28 Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst.
29 Now there was a vessel set there, full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth.
30 Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.

[color=blue][b]The Glorious Mysteries[/b][/color]

[b]The Resurrection of Jesus[/b]

Luke 24:3-8

3 And going in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were astonished in their mind at this, behold, two men stood by them, in shining apparel.
5 And as they were afraid and bowed down their countenance towards the ground, they said unto them: Why seek you the living with the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he spoke unto you, when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying: The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words.

[b]Ascension into Heaven[/b]

Luke 24:49-51
49 And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high.
50 ¶ And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them and was carried up to heaven.

[b]Descending of the Holy Spirit [/b]

Acts 2:1-4
1 ¶ And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place:
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming: and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire: and it sat upon every one of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

[b]The Assumption of Mary into Heaven[/b]

Ps:132:8:
8 (131-8) Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified.

"thy resting place" meaning Heaven, and Mary is considered the "the new ark" which has been sanctified to bear God's son Jesus Christ. Mary was to be taken up into Heaven body and soul by the Lord as "the ark" was taken up by the Lord.
The Ark in the Book of Revelation

Rev 11:19 -12:1

11: 19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm.

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

If you look carefully at Rev 11:9-12:1 St. John is telling us what he is seeing in Heaven. We must all remember that the verse divisions and chapter divisions did not exist until the Middle Ages. He first begins telling us that he sees the ark of the covenant, but keep in mind there is no break between discussing the Ark and the appearance of the woman ( Mary ).

[b]Mary's coronation as Queen of Heaven. [/b]

Jms:1:12:
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for, when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him.

1Pt:5:4:
4 And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory.

Rv:2:10:
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life.

Everyone who enters the kingdom of Heaven receives a crown. But since Mary is the Mother of Christ the King it is Her right to be called the Queen Mother or Queen of Heaven.

Evidence to Mary's queenship

Rv:12:1:
1 ¶ And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (DRV)
If you read on through Rev. 12 the description of the woman could be no other than Mary, Queen of Heaven, Mother of God.

Many of the Early Church Fathers held to the fact that Mary was the second Eve, and Christ the second Adam. And since Christ is the second Adam and the King of Heaven, this would make Mary, the second Eve, the Queen of Heaven.

Another example is since Christ is the King of Heaven, His mother Mary, would be considered the Queen Mother, for she is the mother of the King, Jesus Christ.

[color=blue][b]Luminous Mysteries[/b][/color]

[b]Baptism in the Jordan[/b]

Mt 3:13-17
13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him.
17 And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

[b]The Wedding of Cana[/b]

John 2:1-10
1 ¶ And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there.
2 And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine.
4 And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece.
7 Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it.
9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom,
10 And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.

[b]Proclamation of the Kingdom of God[/b]

Mark 1:14,15
14 ¶ And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came in Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying: The time is accomplished and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel:

[b]The Transfiguration[/b]

Mark 9:2-9
2 And after six days, Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves, and was transfigured before them.
3 And his garments became shining and exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller upon earth can make white.
4 And there appeared to them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. And let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he knew not what he said: for they were struck with fear.
7 And there was a cloud overshadowing them. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my most beloved Son. Hear ye him.
8 And immediately looking about, they saw no man any more, but Jesus only with them.
9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them not to tell any man what things they had seen, till the Son of man shall be risen again from the dead.

[b]Institution of the Eucharist[/b]

Matthew 26:20-30
20 But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples.
21 And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you that one of you is about to betray me.
22 And they being very much troubled began every one to say: Is it I, Lord?
23 But he answering said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me.
24 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born.
25 And Judas that betrayed him answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.
26 ¶ And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed and broke and gave to his disciples and said: Take ye and eat. This is my body.
27 And taking the chalice, he gave thanks and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this.
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.
29 And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.
30 And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet.

[color=red][b]The Prayers of the Rosary[/b][/color]

[b]The Sign of the Cross[/b]

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
This has been a symbol of the Christianity since the times of the very first Christians.

Of all the above methods of venerating this life-giving symbol and adopting it as an emblem, the marking of a little cross seems to be the most ancient. We have positive evidence in the early Fathers that such a practice was familiar to Christians in the second century. "In all our travels and movements", says Tertullian (De cor. Mil., iii), "in all our coming in and going out, in putting of our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupieth us, we mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross". On the other hand this must soon have passed into a gesture of benediction, as many quotations from the Fathers in the fourth century would show. Thus St. Cyril of Jerusalem in his "Catecheses" (xiii, 36) remarks: "let us then not be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the cross our seal, made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in every thing; over the bread we eat and the cups we drink, in our comings and in goings; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are travelling, and when we are at rest".

[url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm[/url]

Sacred Scripture alludes to a similar seal upon the foreheads of the faithful of God:

Ezekiel 9:3-4
3 "Then he called to the man dressed in linen …
4 saying to him: Pass through the city (through Jerusalem) and mark an X on the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the abominations that are practiced within it."

Revelation 14:1 "Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads."

Revelation 9:4 "… they were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green growth or any tree, but only those of mankind who have not the seal of God upon their foreheads"

Revelation 7:3 "Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

[b]The Creed[/b]

" 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 arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall 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. "

In general, a form of belief. The work, however, as applied to religious belief has received a variety of meanings, two of which are specially important. (1) It signifies the entire body of beliefs held by the adherents of a given religion; and in this sense it is equivalent doctrine or to faith where the latter is used in its objective meaning. Such is its signification in expressions like "the conflict of creeds", "charitable works irrespective of creed", "the ethics of conformity of creed", etc. (2) In a somewhat narrower sense, a creed is a summary of the principal articles of faith professed by church or community of believers.

[url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04478a.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04478a.htm[/url]

[b]The Our Father[/b]

"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 from evil. Amen."

Luke 11:1-9
1 ¶ And it came to pass that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said to them: When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
3 Give us this day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.
5 And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend and shall go to him at midnight and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves,
6 Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me and I have not what to set before him.
7 And he from within should answer and say: Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot rise and give thee.
8 Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9 And I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

[b]Hail Mary[/b]

" 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. "

Luke 1:28 -"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you."
[Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,]

Luke 1:42 - "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"
[blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.]

Luke 1:47 - "Because He has regarded the humility of His handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed"
[Holy Mary,]

Luke 1:47 - "And why is it granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
[Mother of God.]

Rev 8:3-4 - "An angel came and stood at the altar in heaven with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God."

Luke 2:35 "...and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

John 2:5 "His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you."
[pray for us sinners now]

Mt 10:22 - "But he who endures to the end will be saved."
[and at the hour of our death. Amen.]

[b]Fatima Prayer[/b]

"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."

Very self explanatory,

Forgive us our sins - we must ask for forgiveness of our sins

Mk 2:5 And when Jesus had seen their faith, he saith to the sick of the palsy: Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Mk 2:10 But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy):

Mk 11:25 And when you shall stand to pray, forgive, if you have aught against any man: that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your sins.


Save us from the fires of hell - I would hope we would ask this, by trying to obtain mercy when our day of judgment comes

Mat 3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

2 Thes 2:10 And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish: because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.


Lead all souls to Heaven, -

Eph 4:8 Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."

1 Thes 5:23 And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.


especially those in most need of Thy mercy -

Lk 17:13 And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

Lk 18:38 And he cried out, saying: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

Mt 9:27 And as Jesus passed from thence, there followed him two blind men crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O Son of David.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.


[b]Glory Be to the Father[/b]

"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. "

I would see no one having a problem with this prayer for after all it is praising the Holy Trinity.

Phil:4:20:
20 ¶ Now to God and our Father be glory, world without end. Amen.

[b]Hail Holy Queen[/b]

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, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Now this prayer normally causing some problems let's break it down line by line

Hail! - A greeting used toward Mary in Luke 1:28

Holy Queen - Christ is the King of Heaven, His mother Mary, would be considered the Queen Mother, for she is the mother of the King, Jesus Christ. Also she is in Heaven with Him, thus she is "Holy" for nothing unclean can enter Heaven, and above all because she was sustained from all stain of sin.

Mother of Mercy - Christ is Mercy and Mary is the Mother of Christ thus Mary is the Mother of Mercy

Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope - She was the instrumental cause for Our Life, Christ, being brought to us. The same applies for Our Sweetness, she was the instrumental cause for Christ, Our Sweetness, to come into the world. Our Hope, Mary fulfilled this by saying "yes" to God and accepting Christ into her womb.

To you do we cry - This brings us back to the reference of the Queen Mother, the people in the kingdom cried out to the Queen to intercede on their behalf.

1 Kings 2:16-18
16 Now therefore, I ask one petition of thee; turn not away my face. And she said to him: Say on.
17 And he said I pray thee speak to king Solomon (for he cannot deny thee any thing) to give me Abisag, the Sunamitess, to wife.
18 And Bethsabee said: Well, I will speak for thee to the king.

Poor banished children of Eve - because Eve was called the mother of all in Genesis, we are also her children, because of the sin that Adam and Eve committed they were banished from the Garden of Eden, which was paradise. This original sins still effects all of us today, thus we are all banished from the Garden.

To you do we send up our sighs - to Mary we send our petitions to be brought before her Son, this is again a reference to 1 Kgs 2:16-18.

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. - mourning and weeping is shown as a means of being sorrowful for the wrong doings you have committed against God.

Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us - Again a reference to the Queen interceding on the behalf of the people to the King; 1 Kgs 2:16-18.

and after this our exile, - Again a reference to our banishment from paradise and God's presence, but the Old Testament foretells that the sin of one woman, Eve, will be put right by another woman, Mary. Mary bore the Son of God, the Redeemer, who by His sacrifice on the Cross has gained for us eternal life so that we can be again in the presence of God and our exile shall be over.

show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.- Elizabeth, in Luke 1:42, refers to Christ, in Mary's womb, thusly.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. - all characteristics of who Mary was and is.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.-

Luke 1:47 - "And why is it granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
[Mother of God.]

Rev 8:3-4 - "An angel came and stood at the altar in heaven with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God."

Luke 2:35 "...and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

John 2:5 "His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you."

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.- Christ promises us eternal life, by His sacrifice on the Cross He has gained this for us, but we must make ourselves worthy of His promise and gift.

[b]Let Us Pray[/b]

"O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His Life, Death, and Resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech You, that, meditating on 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. "

No explanation needed here considering this is a prayer to God.

[color=purple][b]Now on to specific arguments against the Rosary[/b][/color]

[b]Intercessory Prayer[/b]

The saints of the Old Law and the New Law, the 12 Patriarchs and the 12 Apostles, intercede for those on earth.

James 5:16b "the fervent prayer of a righteous man is very powerful."

Rev. 5:8 "When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.

The angels, too, mediate our prayers. This is taught explicitly in the Jewish book of Tobit (Tob. 12:12) accepted by Christians as inspired until Luther on his own authority rejected it. It remains part of the Catholic Bible.

Tobit 12:12 I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and I did the same thing when you used to bury the dead.

Rev. 8:3 "Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne."

[url="http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/rosary_scripture.htm"]http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/rosary_scripture.htm[/url]

Proverbs 15:8, 29 - the prayers of the righteous (the saints) have powerful effects. This is why we ask for their prayers. How much more powerful are the saints prayers in heaven, in whom righteousness has been perfected.

Rev. 6:9-11 - God answers the prayers of the saints. In this case, he avenges their blood. We therefore ask for their intercession and protection.

1 Tim 2:5-6 - therefore, it is because Jesus Christ is the one mediator before God that we can be subordinate mediators. Jesus is the reason. The Catholic position thus gives Jesus the most glory. He does it all but loves us so much He desires our participation.

Rom. 8:35-39 - therefore, death does not separate the family of God and the love of Christ. We are still united with each other, even beyond death.

Matt. 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30 - Jesus converses with "deceased" Moses and Elijah. They are more alive than the saints on earth.

Matt. 22:32; Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38 - God is the God of the living not the dead. The living on earth and in heaven are one family.

[b]Vain Repetition[/b]

Matt. 6:7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

First, the phrase does not say "vain and repetitious prayers" which it is often taken as saying. The emphasis in this verse is on the word "vain" not on "repetitions"

Vain meaning:

1. Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: a vain attempt.
2. Lacking substance or worth: vain talk.
3. Excessively proud of one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.
4. Archaic. Foolish.
A vain prayer is one that is empty of feeling, love, and it is said just to be saying it. The prayer is not said so that it may be heard but rather just to be said. Now this type of prayer would be wrong.

Examples of Repetitious prayer in the Bible

Psalm 136 is more repetitious than any Catholic prayer, at the end of each line it ends with the same wording "God's love endures forever", and it’s the word of God. This is yet more proof that repetitious prayer itself isn’t wrong but vain repetition.

Psalms 150 speaks out about when prayers are either heard or ignored, and it does not say that repetitious prayers are ignored

Jesus speaks in the Gospels about Praying.

Luke 18: 1-18 Christ speaks out clearly on the tenacity that is required when praying.

Lk 18:1 " Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary."

In Lk 11:5-8 Christ teaches us the persistence that is needed with praying. Similar to Lk 18: 1-18, persistence in praying for a certain request is yet again repetitious. We all pray for our families and friend everyday continuously asking God to watch over them, bless them, and take care of them. This to is simply repetitious prayer, but these prayers come from the heart and are not said in "vain" thus again supporting the fact that Mt. 6:7 is speaking of "vain" prayers rather than "repetitions".

Mt 21:22 "Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith you will receive."

Repetition of words does not render the faith behind the words themselves

Matt. 26:44 He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.

Jesus Christ, himself, practiced repetitious prayer, yet not "vain repetitions" there is a very large difference.

Examples in various books of the Bible

Rev. 4:8 - The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."
They said "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come." continuously before the throne of God, and God did not speak out against this repetition.

1 Thes 5:17 simply tells us " Pray without ceasing " Is it possible for us to pray unceasingly without once being repetitious ?

Dan. 3:35-66 repeatedly says " bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. "

[b]Quotes about the Rosary[/b]

"Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been so favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary" (Pope Pius IX).

"Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world" (Our Lady of Fátima).

"There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the family . . . than the daily recitation of the Rosary" (Pope Pius XII).

"We do not hesitate to affirm again publicly that we put great confidence in the Holy Rosary for the healing of evils of our times" (Pope Pius XII).

"No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary" (Bishop Hugh Doyle).

"The Rosary is a magnificent and universal prayer for the needs of the Church, the nations and the entire world" (Pope John XXIII).

"The Rosary is the compendium of the entire Gospel" (Pope Paul VI quoting Pope Pius XII).

"Meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary . . . can be an excellent preparation for the celebration of those same mysteries in the liturgical actions [i.e. the Mass] and can also become a continuing echo thereof" (Pope Paul VI).

"My impression is that the Rosary is of the greatest value not only according to the words of Our Lady at Fátima, but according to the effects of the Rosary one sees throughout history. My impression is that Our Lady wanted to give ordinary people, who might not know how to pray, this simple method of getting closer to God" (Sister Lucia, one of the seers of Fátima).

"How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening" (Pope John Paul II).

Pope John Paul II has called the Rosary his "favorite prayer," after the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.

St. Louis de Montfort warns us against both the ignorant and scholars who regard the Rosary as something of little importance..."the Rosary is a priceless treasure inspired by God."

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[b]In ending I leave with these words from the Holy Father:[/b]

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On September 30, 2001, after the morning Mass opening the Synod of Bishops, Pope John Paul II asked people to pray the Rosary. Here is his message:

"October is the month in which Mary Most Holy, Queen of the Holy Rosary, is venerated. Within the current international context, I invite all -- individuals, families, communities -- to pray this Marian prayer, possibly every day, for peace, so that the world can be preserved from the wicked scourge of terrorism.

"The terrible tragedy of September 11th will be remembered as a dark day in the history of humanity. In the face of this, the Church tries to be faithful to her prophetic charism and remind all men about their duty to build a future of peace for the human family. Certainly, peace is not separated from justice, but it must be nourished by mercy and love.

"We cannot forget that Jews, Christians and Muslims adore God as the only God. The three religions, therefore, have the vocation of unity and peace. May God allow the Church's faithful to be agents of peace, in the front line of the search for justice and the prohibition of violence.

"May the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for all humanity, so that hate and death never have the last word!"

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On September 29, 2002, Pope John Paul II ask that we pray the Rosary for Peace:
Sunday, 29 June 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. We are already on the threshold of the month of October, which, with the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, inspires us to rediscover this traditional prayer, so simple yet so profound.

The Rosary is a way of contemplating the face of Christ seeing him - we may say - with the eyes of Mary. For this reason, it is a prayer that drawing upon the core of the Gospel is in full accord with the inspiration of the Second Vatican Council and very much in keeping with the direction I gave in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte: the Church has to launch out "into the deep" in the new millennium beginning with the contemplation of the face of Christ.

Therefore, I wish to suggest the recitation of the Rosary to individuals, families and Christian communities. To give force to this invitation, I am preparing a document which will help to rediscover the beauty and depth of this prayer.
2. I wish once again to entrust the great cause of peace to the praying of the Rosary. We are facing an international situation that is full of tensions, at times threatening to explode. In some parts of the world, where the confrontation is harsher - I think particularly of the suffering land of Christ - we can realize that, even though they are necessary, political efforts are worth little if one remains exacerbated in his mind and no one cares to demonstrate a new disposition of heart in the hope of reviving the struggle and effort of dialogue.

Who but God alone can infuse such sentiments? It is more necessary than ever that from every part of the earth prayer for peace be made to Him. In this perspective, the Rosary turns out to be the form of prayer most needed. It builds peace because, while it appeals to the grace of God, it sows in the one praying it the seed of good from which we can expect the fruit of justice and solidarity for personal and community life.

I am thinking of nations and also of families. How much peace would flow into family relationships if the family would begin again to pray the Rosary.

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God Bless,
Jennie Catherine

Edited October 7, 2004 by phatcatholic

[phatcatholic]

props to our marian apologist!! ur my dawg colette

[StColette]

thanks phat and thanks for the help editing and adding some bits

[franciscanheart]

That was really good Jennie!! I'm so proud to call you my sis!!

*I really like the quotes about the rosary *

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

Most Awesome tract! You really were busy all night! I hope you get some sleep soon! I love the topic of the tract! You are soooo awesome!!! I'm going to start researching somethings for my own knowledge... Jennie gave me the idea...

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' date='Oct 7 2004, 11:54 AM'] Most Awesome tract! You really were busy all night! I hope you get some sleep soon! I love the topic of the tract! You are soooo awesome!!! I'm going to start researching somethings for my own knowledge... Jennie gave me the idea... [/quote]
she's like that huh

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

Yeah! She is! She offers so much of her time (And sleep!) to do these wonderful tracts!

[J.R.D]

WOA it has everything lol

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

Tight...even though I probably read 1% of it, and that took 30 min...haha

Much Love.

Totus tuus,

Andy

[StColette]

[quote name='Fiat_Voluntas_Tua' date='Oct 7 2004, 01:20 PM'] Tight...even though I probably read 1% of it, and that took 30 min...haha

[/quote]
lol Thanks Andy

[StColette]

[quote name='hugheyforlife' date='Oct 7 2004, 07:49 AM'] That was really good Jennie!! I'm so proud to call you my sis!!

*I really like the quotes about the rosary * [/quote]
Thanks I'm proud to be you sis too

[quote name='Futurenun']
Most Awesome tract! You really were busy all night! I hope you get some sleep soon! I love the topic of the tract! You are soooo awesome!!! I'm going to start researching somethings for my own knowledge... Jennie gave me the idea...

Yeah! She is! She offers so much of her time (And sleep!) to do these wonderful tracts! [/quote]

hehe yep I got some sleep glad that you liked the tract and thanks And it's awesome that you're going to start researching hehe I do offer a lot of time and sleep to Apologetics but it's all for God and Our Lady for them I would give up sleep anytime.

[quote name='J.R.D']WOA it has everything lol [/quote]

hehe thanks John

Edited October 7, 2004 by StColette