Rosaries

Rosaries are holy items that helped me learn to pray and to better understand the Catholic Faith. I feel embarrassed because I never prayed the rosary before now. While I worked at the Carmel Mission Basilica, one afternoon, my supervisor and I walked around the grounds and then stopped at the Gift Shop.

There was an area where I saw many varieties of rosaries by the color, shape, size, and design. There was a particular rosary that caught my attention,which was the ladybug rosary, and I wanted to purchase it. However, I told myself that I could purchase the item later or ask the sales lady to put it on hold for me. I shared with the sales lady and my supervisor that I love ladybugs, and they both smiled. Inside the box it had a little story about the ladybugs.

Many years ago, in a poor village in Poland, the people were starving because insects had infested their crops. They prayed to Our Lady for help, and she sent ladybugs to eat the insects. The ladybug is now known as Our Lady’s Bug. 

After we left, all I could think about was the ladybug rosary. The next day, I was running late to work. When I arrived to work and came into the office, there was a gift on my desk, including two to three pamphlets on how to Pray The Rosary. When I opened the gift, sure enough, it was the ladybug rosary that I wanted. I was VERY surprised of how thoughtful my supervisor was to purchase this gift for me. There was no special occasion, but more of a Thank You and for me to be blessed!

From that day, I have kept that rosary in my purse and carry it with me everywhere, because this holy item will help me practice more on how to pray the rosary daily, and to be aware that people need prayer every day.

How to pray the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles Creed.”
2. Say the “Our Father.”
3. Say three “Hail Marys.”
4. Say the “Glory be to the Father.”
5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the “Our Father.”
6. Say ten “Hail Marys,” while meditating on the Mystery.
7. Say the “Glory be to the Father.” After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
8. Announce the Second Mystery: then say the “Our Father.” Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.
9. Say the “Hail, Holy Queen’ on the medal after the five decades are completed. 

As a general rule, depending on the seasons, the Joyful Mysteries are said on Monday and Saturday; the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday; the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday; and the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday.