08 October 2014

The Rosary with the Great Painters: the Mysteries of Light

Museo del Prado, Madrid


'The Rosary belongs among the finest and most praiseworthy traditions of Christian contemplation. Developed in the West, it is a typically meditative prayer, corresponding in some way to the “prayer of the heart” or “Jesus prayer” which took root in the soil of the Christian East.' [St John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, No 5.]


The Rosary here is the formula prayed by members of the Legion of Mary, the way I prefer. There are various ways of beginning and ending the Rosary but the Five Mysteries are the heart of the prayer. The most common formula of the Rosary is here.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
v. Send forth Your Spirit, O Lord, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. 

God our Father, pour out the gifts of Your Holy Spirit on the world. You sent the Spirit on Your Church to begin the teaching of the gospel: now let the Spirit continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Mysteries of Light (Thursday)

First Mystery 
The Baptism of Jesus

The Baptism of Christ, El Greco, 1596-1600
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome

Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory be

Second Mystery 
The Wedding at Cana

The Marriage at Cana, Marten de Vos, 1596-97
Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp

Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory be

Third Mystery 
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

Christ as Saviour, El Graco, c.1600
National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh

Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory be

Fourth Mystery
The Transfiguration

Transfiguration of Christ, Paolo Veronese, 1555-56
Cathedral of Santa Maria, Montagnana, Italy

Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory be

Fifth Mystery
The Institution of the Eucharist

The Institution of the Eucharist, Federico Fiori Barocci, 1608
Basilica di Santa Maria, sopra Minerva, Rome

Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory be


Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.



v. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.



Let us pray.

O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech You, that meditating upon these mysteries in 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. 


v. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
R. Have mercy on us.
v. Immaculate Heart of Mary
R. Pray for us.
v. St Joseph
R. Pray for us.
v. St John the Evangelist
R. Pray for us.
v. St Louis-Marie deMontfort
R. Pray for us. 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 


Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; 
hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. 
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve,
 to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping 
in this valley of tears. 
Turn then, O most gracious advocate, 
your eyes of mercy towards us, 
and after this our exile, 
show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. 
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.


The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
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.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary,

Full of Grace,
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.


All paintings from Web Gallery of Art


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