The Holy Rosary – Latin Rosarium in Latin is a crown of Roses. This is a set of prayers used by all Catholics all over the World. It is a daily practice to recite the rosary dedicated to Mother Mary in every home, and in particular in GOA it’s a devotion that has been handed over to us by our elders who themselves practiced it devoutly and with sincere commitment. Every member of the family participates in the Rosary. Earlier there was a set time for the Angelus and the Rosary. It is said that a family that prays together stays together. The Holy Rosary is a contemplative prayer. During this time we contemplate on five Mysteries, while we say Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father, and prayers are recited. This prayer goes back to many centuries, however the set of 15 Mysteries was established by Pope Pius V in the 16th Century (1566 – 1572). In 2002 Pope John Paul II added a new set of Luminous Mysteries. The Entire set of Mysteries, consists of Glorious Mysteries on which we contemplate on. Sundays and Wednesdays, Joyful Mysteries on Mondays and Saturdays, Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays. While Luminous Mysteries on Thursdays. Usually we pray the Rosary by reciting the I believe, the Mysteries and Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and Glory be to the Father. We also say a prayer which was given to us by Mother Mary herself at Fatima Portugal. At the end of the rosary we say the Litany of Blessed Virgin Mary and the Memorare of St. Bernard of Clairvox. For many centuries now several Popes have promoted the Rosary as a family prayer, as well as Personal too. The entire Rosary is a contemplation of the virtues of Mother Mary, during her lifetime. It is a Biblical prayer as we use the words of the Angel Gabriel at the time of Annunciation and also for the Magnificat. The Rosary is a wholesome prayer which completes our devotion to Mother Mary. May and October are the months dedicated to Mother Mary and we emphasize on the recitation of the Rosary during these two months. More because of the Apparition of Mother Mary in FATIMA in Portugal 1917. Mother Mary herself told Francisco, Lucia & Jacinta to pray. She also appeared In Lourdes, France to St. Bernadette and Medjugorge. Here too the apparitions were only to tell us to pray the Rosary and save souls. The Rosary is a weapon given by the Church to bring Peace, heighten personal virtues and demonstrate a true devotion to Mother Mary.

All of us have prayed the Rosary in our homes along with our parents and elders. Let this beautiful devotion to Mother Mary continue in these times of distress and sorrow. Only Mother Mary can plead to Jesus and save us.

-Rosarito Coelho