Guide for Reflection and Prayer on the Most Holy Rosary

Sr. Margaret J Obrovac, FSP

As the Jubilee of the year 2000 drew to a close, John Paul II set the Church's sights on the future with his letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, summoning the Church to start the new millennium "afresh from Christ." In this spirit he offers this present letter on the Rosary as that document's "Marian complement" (n. 3).

Though the letter has gained some attention for introducing the Year of the Rosary, it is best known for the innovative "Mysteries of Light." Still, the renovation called for goes much deeper than any change in form. In fact, according to John Paul, such change is meant to lead to the renewal of the way we pray the Rosary. This "way" is to be both contemplative and Christocentric. No fewer than 47 times does the letter use the word "contemplation" or similar words. Clearly the Pope sees in this "penetrating gaze" (n. 10) on Christ or one of his mysteries the key to revitalizing the Rosary in Christian lives and cultures. If St. Alphonsus is to be believed when he said that meditation and sin cannot co-exist, then the Rosary will not be the only thing revitalized.

Secondly, because the prayer is decidedly Marian, and because Mary's life is inextricably bound to that of her Son, the Rosary is also decidedly Christ-centered. For John Paul this is also to say it has an ecclesial, or Church- related, dimension that paradoxically extends beyond the boundaries of the Church to embrace all of humanity. Indeed, the Pope intends to lead us to renew our faith in the power of the Rosary to change us and our world.

This guide, therefore, is less a study guide than a help for reflection and prayer. It can be used individually or with others. By spending 20 minutes a day with both the letter and the guide, it will be possible to cover the entire document in two weeks.

When the document is cited below, the letter "n" followed by a number indicates the paragraph number of the text On the Rosary. A glossary of religious terms follows the reflection section. The guide concludes with a list of other documents referred to in this one, along with a few words identifying each in English.

Day 1 (nn.1-3)

Reflect: Write down briefly the key moments and experiences that have marked the rhythm of your life. Discover God's presence in each.

Pray: Reciting Mary's Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55), allow the Spirit of God to cry out your gratitude and joy to the Father.

Day 2 (nn. 4-8)

Reflect: The Pope highlights several ways in which the Rosary can serve as a support to the Church and world today. Pick one and think of how the Rosary might help to renew your life and the society in which you live.

Pray: Through the intercession of a saint or other holy person you know, ask the Lord to help you understand the Rosary better under this aspect.

Day 3 (nn. 9-12)

Reflect: Mary's memories of Jesus are her "Rosary," her personal account of the Gospel. Which one holds the most meaning for you? Why?

Pray: With your gaze fixed on Jesus, slowly repeat the phrase associated with that Gospel scene until it takes you beyond where you have been in your relationship with Jesus.

Day 4 (nn. 13-14)

Reflect: Remember how Mary has taught you. Has it been primarily by her words? Her example? Her prayer for you?

Pray: With a Hail Mary ask her to be with you the next time you attend the great "school" of the liturgy, so that through grace you also will learn Christ and like her be filled with the new life of salvation.

Day 5 (nn. 15-17)

Reflect: What would it be like to pray the Rosary with Mary and not just to her? Would it feel any different? What needs of the Church and the world does she have most at heart?

Pray: With either the fifth joyful mystery of the Rosary, the Finding in the Temple (cf. n. 20 of this letter), or the fourth luminous mystery, the Transfiguration (cf. n. 21), pray that by faith others conform their thoughts and reasoning to the mind of Jesus the Master.

Day 6 (nn. 18-21)

Reflect: Imagine the scene one of the joyful mysteries or mysteries of light. How is Christ "the definitive revelation of God"? (n. 19)

Pray: As you pray that mystery now, ask Mary to help you to do what Jesus tells you in that revelation of God to you.

Day 7 (nn. 22-23)

Reflect: How does the suffering of the Son of Man reveal to you the meaning of your own existence? What about his resurrection and, for that matter, all the glorious mysteries?

Pray: As you pray one of the sorrowful or glorious mysteries, picture a person you find it difficult to get along with. Pray for him or her, realizing that such a person's destiny is, like yours, redeemed for unending life.

Day 8 (nn. 24-25)

Reflect: How can the mysteries of Christ, which are also the mysteries of Mary, become your mysteries, too?

Pray: Recall a concern or worry of yours that either preoccupies you now or that burdened you in the past. Imagine Jesus before you, extending his hands toward you, inviting you to come face to face with him, the image of the true human being. With Mary's help, release into his merciful heart whatever still burdens you about your problem. Ask for healing and transformation in the Holy Spirit.

Day 9 (nn. 26-28)

Reflect: Read Mt 5:7-8; then read Jn 21:15-17. Reflect on how contemplation gives meaning to the repitition of words.

Pray: Repeat the "Jesus Prayer," breathing in the first part of the prayer and breathing out the second part. Surrender all to the One who can do and forgive all things.

Day 10 (nn. 29-31)

Reflect: How much of your day is given to silence? What kind is it? Is it sufficient, or can you do one small thing to improve it?

Pray: Choose a Gospel scene, perhaps one suggested by a picture before you. Substitute yourself for one of the characters in the story. Involving as many of your senses as possible, penetrate the meaning of the event. Let it change you now. With a favorite Marian prayer, ask for that change to take deep root in you.

Day 11 (nn. 32-35)

Reflect: Which of these three prayers, if any, do you like least? Why? After reading the Pope's words about that prayer, do you find a new insight or reason to appreciate it?

Pray: Recite or sing the prayer slowly, savoring each word or phrase, allowing it to speak to you. Offer it once for yourself and once for someone you love.

Day 12 (nn.36-38)

Reflect: Think of the ways you use the beads-if not as an aid to prayer, then as a decoration or clothing accessory, for example. Are they a reminder of Mary's loving presence and of our links to each other, or do you notice an element of superstition; that is, do you attribute to them a supernatural or magical power that they do not have?

Pray: Think of the needs of the Church in a country other than our own and pray the Hail, Holy Queen or the Litany of Loreto for Christians who live there.

Day 13 (nn. 39-40)

Reflect: How can you better assimilate the mystery of Christ and so become a more peaceful person?

Pray: Think of a situation that needs peace, either in your world or in the world at large and pray one of the mysteries of the Rosary for the gift of peace.

Day 14 (nn. 41-42)

Reflect: Think of how you or your family use the media: TV, movies, video games, Internet. Do these means of communication often interfere with your ability to communicate with God and each other?

Pray: Offer one of the joyful mysteries, asking for the inspiration and the opportunity to introduce a child or teen-your own or someone else's-to the Rosary. Pray for the wisdom to know how to adapt it to the age level and mentality of this young person.

Day 15 (n. 43)

Reflect: How can you reach out beyond your own family and circle of friends to bring the message of this document and the blessing of the Rosary to others?

Pray: Starting with the "Supplication to the Queen of the Holy Rosary" in n. 43, give voice to your love of Mary in song or spontaneous praise, to the glory of God.

Glossary

anthropological pertaining to human beings and their life (25)

Ave Maria the Hail Mary (2)

catechetical pertaining to the Church's activity of leading people to maturity in faith; it usually incorporates some form of religious instruction. (17)

Christocentric Christ-centered (1, 8, 12)

Christological of or about Christ (18, 19, 32, 33)

compositio loci the persons, place, words and actions within a scriptural scene as it is meditated upon (29)

discernment the act of distinguishing what is God's will from what is not (35)

doxology hymn or prayer of praise to God (34)

"duc in altum" lit. "Put out into the deep." Jesus' command to the disciples in preparation for the miraculous catch of fish (Lk 5:4); the theme of John Paul's call to the Church on the threshold of the third millennium

Ecce homo! lit. "Behold the man!" The words of Pilate to the crowd when he presented Jesus, flogged and crowned with thorns (John 19:5) (22)

ecclesial of or about the Church, considered from a spiritual perspective (32)

ecclesial community individual Church within the universal Church; a local Church led by a bishop (3)

eschatological pertaining to the end of time and the final coming of Christ (23)

evangelists the four writers of the Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (24)

evangelizer a person who proclaims the Gospel in order to introduce another to Christ (17)

fiat lit. "Let it be done." Mary's consent to Gabriel's invitation from God to be the Mother of God's Son (Lk 1:38) (20)

heresy the explicit, willful denial of at least one truth of faith (17)

icon a religious image of the Eastern Church. In the sense used in this letter, it refers to using an historical event to image a spiritual experience. (9)

Documents

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Compendium of the faith of the Catholic Church

Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

Marialis Cultus: For the Right Ordering and Development of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Novo Millennio Ineunte: Letter written by John Paul II "at the beginning of the new millennium," calling on the whole Church to witness to Christ in this new era of grace.

Redemptor Hominis: The Redeemer of Man. John Paul's first encyclical, to which many of his subsequent pronouncements refer.

Supremi Apostolatus Officio: On Devotion to the Rosary

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