may imitate what they set forth, and obtain what they promise; through the same our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES. I. The Prayer and Bloody Sweat of our Blessed Saviour in the Garden. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus was so afflicted for us in the garden of Gethsemane, that his body was bathed in a bloody sweat, which ran down in great drops to the ground. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O most holy Virgin, more than martyr; by that ardent prayer which our beloved Saviour poured forth to his heavenly Father in the garden, vouchsafe to intercede for us, that, our passions being reduced to the obedience of reason, we may always, and in all things, conform and subject ourselves to the holy will of God. Amen. II. The Scourging of our Blessed Lord at the Pillar. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ was most cruelly scourged in Pilate's house, the number of stripes they gave him being about five thousand. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O Mother of God, overflowing fountain of patience; through those stripes thy only and much-beloved Son vouchsafed to suffer for us, obtain of him for us grace to mortify our rebellious senses, to avoid the occasion of sin, and to be ready to suffer every thing rather than offend God. Amen. uj our F III. The Crowning our Blessed Saviour with Thorns. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how those cruel ministers of Satan platted a crown of sharp thorns, and cruelly pressed it on the sacred head of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O Mother of our Eternal Prince, the King of Glory; by those sharp thorns wherewith his sacred head was pierced, we beseech thee obtain, through thy intercession, that we may be delivered from all motions of pride, and escape that shame which our sins deserve at the day of judgment. Amen. IV. Jesus carrying his Cross. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being sentenced to die, bore, with the most amazing patience, the cross which was laid upon him for his greater torment and ignominy. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O Holy Virgin, example of patience; by the most painful carrying of the cross, in which thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, bore the heavy weight of our sins, obtain for us of him, through thine intercession, courage and strength to follow his steps, and bear our cross after him to the end of our lives. Amen. V. The Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being come to Mount Calvary, was stripped of his clothes, and his hands and feet nailed to the cross, in the presence of his most afflicted Mother. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O Holy Mary, Mother of God; as the body of thy beloved Son was for us stretched upon the cross, so may we offer up our souls and bodies to be crucified with him and our hearts to be pierced with grief at his most bitter Passion; and thou, O most sorrowful Mother, graciously vouchsafe to help us, by thy all-powerful intercession, to Amen. accomplish the work of our salvation. Salve Regina and Prayers, as before. THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES. I. The Resurrection of our Lord from the dead. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing gloriously over death, rose again the third day, immortal and impassible. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O glorious Virgin Mary; by that unspeakable joy thou didst receive in the resurrection of thy Divine Son, we beseech thee obtain for us of him, that our hearts may never go astray after the false joys of this world, but may be for ever wholly employed in the pursuit of the only true and solid joys of heaven. Amen. II. The Ascension of Christ into Heaven. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, forty days after his resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended by angels, in the sight, and to the great admiration, of his most holy Mother, and his holy Apostles and disciples. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O Mother of God, comforter of the afflicted; as thy beloved Son, when he ascended into heaven, lifted up his hands and blessed his Apostles, as he was parted from them; so vouchsafe, most holy Mother, to lift up thy pure hands to him on our behalf, that we may enjoy the benefits of his blessing, and of thine, here on earth, and hereafter in heaven. Amen. III. The Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being seated on the right hand of God, sent, as he had promised, the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles, who, after he was ascended, returning to Jerusalem, continued in prayer and supplication with the Blessed Virgin Mary, expecting the performance of his promise. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O sacred Virgin, Tabernacle of the Holy Ghost; we beseech thee obtain, by thine intercession, that this most sweet Comforter, whom thy beloved Son sent down upon his Apostles, filling them thereby with spiritual joy, may teach us in this world the true way of salvation, and make us to walk in the path of virtue and good works. Amen. IV. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the glorious Virgin, twelve years after the resurrection of her Son, passed out of this world unto him, and was by him as sumed into heaven, accompanied by the holy Angels. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O most prudent Virgin, who, entering the heavenly palaces, didst fill the angels with joy and man with hope; Vouchsafe to intercede for us at the hour of our death, that, being delivered from the illusions and temptations of the devil, we may joyfully and securely pass out of this temporal state, to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. Amen. V. The Coronation of the most Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the glorious Virgin Mary was, to the great jubilee and exultation of the whole court of heaven, and particular glory of all the Saints, crowned by her Son with the brightest diadem of glory. Our Father, &c. Prayer. O glorious Queen of all the heavenly host; we beseech thee accept this rosary, which, as a crown of roses, we offer at thy feet; and grant, most gracious lady, that, by thy intercession, our souls may be inflamed with so ardent a desire of seeing thee so gloriously crowned, that it may never die within us, until it shall be changed into the happy fruition of thy blessed sight. Amen. Salve Regina, &c. as before. * CROWN OF THE TWELVE STARS, OR ROSARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. Let us praise and bless the most holy Trinity, for having shewn to us the Virgin Mary clothed with the with the moon beneath her feet, and with a mysterious crown of twelve stars upon her head. sun, Ry. For ever and ever. Amen. Let us praise and bless the divine Father, for having chosen her as his daughter. Ry. Amen. Our Father. Praised be the divine Father, for having predestined her to be the Mother of his divine Son. Ry. Amen. Hail Mary. Praised be the divine Father, for having preserved her from all sin in her Conception. R. Amen. Hail Mary. Praised be the divine Father, for having adorned her with the highest gifts in her nativity. R. Amen. Hail Mary. Praised be the divine Father, for having given her St. Joseph as a most pure spouse and companion. Ry. Amen. Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father. |