The Holy Rosary: History and Definition

The history of the rosary originally started as a private personal prayer that consisted of 150 Our Fathers said aloud substituting for those who could not read the 150 psalms. The rosary as prayed today was said to originate with St. Dominic, who in 1216 had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary who gave him the Rosary. Hail Marys were substituted for the Our Fathers. The 150 beads, which made 15 decades, were divided into 3 rosaries of 50 Hail Marys each. The more commonly prayed version was actually a third part of the whole, made of only 5 decades.

However, the rosary continued to evolve throughout the next 4 centuries, as the Mysteries took shape. The Mysteries are the biblical themes concerning Jesus and Mary that the faithful meditate on while reciting the prayers. The 3 sets of Mysteries were fully established by the 1600s. Different days of the week were designated for the different Mysteries, as well as holy seasons in the Catholic faith.

The term rosary was originally used to define the entire 15 decades, and the smaller common 5 decade was called corona (crown). However, through time, the term rosary was used for both the 15 and 5 decade, and now the rosary means the 5 decade, as well as the entire set of mysteries. The name rosary was derived from the popular term, "The Mystical Rose," given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In October 2002, Pope John Paul II proposed a new set of Mysteries, adding a 4th set of five decades. He named them the Luminous Mysteries, the theme focusing on the life of Christ. This new Mystery is not an edict but an exhortation, which means that it is voluntary for any Catholic to add this theme and additional prayers. Also, Catholics are not required to pray the rosary.

While not a requirement, the rosary is an important prayer tool in which the faithful spend time thinking about certain stories in the life of Jesus and Mary. However, if must be stated that at no time is this valuable meditation tool used to worship Mary, as some non-Catholics erroneously believe, although it is a tool that honors her as Christ's mother. The rosary beads are used to keep count of the prayers and mysteries. With each recitation of the rosary, the faithful have the opportunity to offer the prayers to God for specific causes, such as world peace, healing, redemption of wayward loved ones, and so on. Such intentions are stated right before praying, leaving the outcome to the will of God.

To read the Pope's letter urging Catholic's to add the new mysteries, click here to read his letter entitled: Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae."

The Holy Rosary - History And Definition