Question: What is the story behind the rosary?
Answer: The rosary is a sacred and popular Catholic devotion, but its origins are mysterious. Prayer beads to facilitate meditation began in the early ages of the Church. In the early medieval period, bead strings were used to count Hail Marys or Our Fathers. A tradition has developed that the rosary in its current form was given to St. Dominic by the Blessed Mother. However, the earliest biographies of the saint do not include this story. In the Middle Ages, the prayers were grouped into 50 Hail Marys with verses from Psalms and vignettes from the lives of Jesus and Mary. By the 16th century, the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries were established.
The rosary rose to prominence in the late 1500s. The Turkish Empire was spreading across eastern Europe, and pirates were raiding Christian ships. The Christian nations of Europe rallied for a great battle at sea. Pope St. Pius V urged all Christians to pray the rosary for victory. While vastly outnumbered, the Christian fleet was victorious at the Battle of Lepanto. The pope established October 7th as the feast of the Holy Rosary. Later, all of October would come to be known as the Month of the Rosary.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Have you ever wanted to explore the life of Jesus and Mary in a deeper way? Each decade highlights a sacred episode:
Joyful Mysteries: Through the Annunciation (1) and Visitation (2), we get a glimpse at Mary’s joyful yes to God. She gives birth to Jesus in the Nativity (3). Mary and Joseph present their son at the temple (4) and bring him there again when he is a teenager (5).
Luminous Mysteries: Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River (1) before Mary gives him a nudge to his first miracle at Cana (2). Jesus proclaims the Gospel (3), is transfigured on Mount Tabor (4), and institutes the Eucharist (5). The light is shining!
Sorrowful Mysteries: Jesus prays in agony in Gethsemane (1), knowing his hour of suffering has come. After his betrayal and arrest, Jesus is scourged (2) and crowned with thorns (3). He carries his cross (4), and Mary stands at the foot of the cross as he is crucified (5).
Glorious Mysteries: Christ is risen in glory (1)! After appearing to those he loves, he ascends into heaven (2). Jesus’ followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (3). Mary, unaffected by original sin, is assumed body and soul into heaven (4), where she is crowned queen, humble mother of Christ the King (5).