The Rosary of the Dominicans
Many are familiar with the rosary, and even pray it every day. But not as many are familiar with the way the Dominicans, the Order of Preachers pray the rosary. The introduction to the rosary in the Dominican style is more like the start of the Liturgy of the Hours, and indeed its roots are in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we follow the pope’s request to pray the rosary each day during May for the end of the COVID pandemic, below are the instructions for praying the rosary in the Dominican way. If praying alone, one person takes all the parts. If praying with another, the parts of the rosary are alternated as indicated below.
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
All: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Leader: Lord, Open my lips.
All: And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Leader: God, come to my assistance.
All: Lord, make haste to help me.
Leader: Glory to the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia. (In Lent: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.)
THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES:
1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity
4. The Presentation
5. Finding of our Lord in the Temple
THE FIVE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES:
1. Baptism of Jesus
2. The Wedding feast at Cana
3. Preaching of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Eucharist
THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion
THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES:
1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Traditionally, the Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Mondays and Saturday, The Luminous Mysteries on Thursdays, The Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesdays and Sundays.
The Leader announces the first mystery.
Leader: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
(repeat nine more times)
After the tenth Hail Mary:
Leader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
All: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The Leader announces the second mystery.
All: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Leader: 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.
All: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Leader: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
(repeat nine times in the same manner).
After the tenth Hail Mary:
All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Leader: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The Leader announces the Third Mystery.
(everything as done in the First Mystery).
The Leader announces the Fourth Mystery.
(Everything as done in the Second Mystery).
The Leader announces the Fifth Mystery.
(Everything as done in the First and Third Mysteries.)
Concluding Prayers:
Leader: Let us pray.
All: Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
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 life, 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, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Leader: May the Divine Assistance remain always with us.
All: Amen.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
All: Amen. Leader: And may Almighty God bless us, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer other forms of the rosary.
