Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne: Prayers: The Rosary: A Letter to You

In Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II asked us to celebrate 2003 as the Year of the Rosary. The Marian months of May and October and the months between them offer us a central time-frame for educating and promoting the value of the Rosary in our lives.

The familiar beads place a simple way of praying in our hands. This is why the Rosary has been taken up by millions of believers across the centuries. It is a way of meditating on Jesus Christ. We join Mary, our Mother, in a rhythm of prayer, as we meditate on his life, death and Resurrection in the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. The Rosary has been described the “Gospel at our fingertips”. At this time in the Archdiocese, it provides another way of contemplating the Lord so that we may “launch out” on his mission in the world.

In these troubled times, I also commend the Rosary to you as a prayer of intercession. We join Mary, Queen of Peace, praying that the reconciling love of her Son may lead us beyond conflicts and suffering to the glory of his Kingdom.

Let me add my own personal witness to the value of this prayer in my life. I have found the rosary a simple daily companion. In joy and when tired I pray it - and find peace with Jesus and Mary.

May the Holy Spirit inspire and guide you as you pray and promote Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


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The Rosary Back to Prayers A letter to you A model for praying the Rosary How do I pray the Rosary The Mysteries of the Rosary Pope announces Year of the Rosary Pope John Paul II Speaks on the Rosary Mgr Peter Elliott discusses how to pray the Rosary To Jesus through Mary History of the Rosary Apostolic Letter: Rosarium Virginis Mariae What are the five new Mysteries of Light Resources Rosary LinkS	A letter to you Dear Friends, In Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II asked us to celebrate 2003 as the Year of the Rosary. The Marian months of May and October and the months between them offer us a central time-frame for educating and promoting the value of the Rosary in our lives. The familiar beads place a simple way of praying in our hands. This is why the Rosary has been taken up by millions of believers across the centuries. It is a way of meditating on Jesus Christ. We join Mary, our Mother, in a rhythm of prayer, as we meditate on his life, death and Resurrection in the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. The Rosary has been described the “Gospel at our fingertips”. At this time in the Archdiocese, it provides another way of contemplating the Lord so that we may “launch out” on his mission in the world. In these troubled times, I also commend the Rosary to you as a prayer of intercession. We join Mary, Queen of Peace, praying that the reconciling love of her Son may lead us beyond conflicts and suffering to the glory of his Kingdom. Let me add my own personal witness to the value of this prayer in my life. I have found the rosary a simple daily companion. In joy and when tired I pray it - and find peace with Jesus and Mary. May the Holy Spirit inspire and guide you as you pray and promote Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Yours sincerely in Christ, + Denis J. Hart, Archbishop of Melbourne.	The rosary shows how a devotion can respond to our deep human and spiritual needs. A characteristic of our age is the desire for spirituality and a contemplative type of prayer. The rosary is a method of contemplation (#28), a means to an end. In view of the helplessness which most experience in the face of violence in society, it is a prayer asking for the "gift of peace" within our communities, countries, and our world.