Christ; and 2. To honor the Blessed Virgin, and to recommend ourselves to her protection.
65. What is the 'Rosary'?
It is a very useful and easy form of prayer, mental as well as vocal, which was spread by St. Dominic in the thirteenth century, was approved by the Church, and has, since then, always been practised and recommended by her.
This form of prayer is called Rosary because it is, as it were, a chaplet of the most beautiful prayers and meditations, wherein the principal mysteries of our religion are wreathed like fragrant roses. Hence the name. It is divided into three parts, each part consisting of five Mysteries. The first five, called the Joyful Mysteries, are: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Birth of our Lord, The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple, The Finding of our Lord in the Temple. The second five, called the Sorrowful Mysteries, are: The Prayer and Bloody Sweat of our Lord in the Temple, The Scourging of our Lord at the Pillar, The Crowning of our Lord with Thorns, Our Lord Carrying His Cross, The Crucifixion of our Lord. The third five, called the Glorious Mysteries, are: The Resurrection of our Lord, The Ascension of our Lord into Heaven, The Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, The Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven. It is true that in the Rosary the same salutation is often repeated; but this ought not to surprise us more than that, in Psalm cxxxv. the words, 'His mercy endureth for ever,' are repeated twenty-seven times; or that the Angels in Heaven incessantly sing, 'Holy, holy, holy.' Nor ought this practice to appear tedious to us, since the mind is, in the mean time, to be occupied with the contemplation of the Holy Mysteries.
The titles of honor, which are given to our Blessed Lady in the Litany of Loretto, as Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Morning Star, etc., are figurative expressions taken from the Holy Scripture, and are applied to her on account of the eminent privileges and graces conferred on her.
Application. Honor the Blessed Virgin in a most particular and childlike manner. Implore her assistance in all your necessities and concerns, and strive eagerly to imitate her charity, patience, purity, and other virtues.
