Center for Catholic Education at UD
Rosary: Contemplating Jesus with Mary
Ever wonder how the Rosary, Mary, and Jesus all connect? Although Marian in character, the Rosary in reality focuses on Mary’s heavenly son, Jesus. According to St. Pope John Paul II, the Rosary “is at heart a Christocentric prayer” because “it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety”. This is seen in how each set of mysteries of the Rosary contains five events or truths regarding the life of Jesus from the Bible. The joyful mysteries focus on the Incarnation, while the sorrowful mysteries focus on the sufferings of Jesus’ Passion and the glorious mysteries on his Resurrection. In 2002, St. Pope John Paul II added to the previously established mysteries the luminous mysteries, which reflect on significant moments from Jesus’ public ministry. So in the words of St. Pope John Paul II, praying the Rosary “is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ”. Who better to help us recognize and reflect on Jesus’ presence in our lives than his own mother, Mary? How can we be more like Mary and truly see Jesus in our lives? How can we better recognize Jesus in every person we meet?
Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us!
Edited by Barb Miller and Ben Swick
Source:
St. Pope John Paul II. “Rosarium Virginis Mariae.” Letter to the Bishops, Clergy, and the
Faithful. 16 Oct. 2002. Rosarium Virginis Mariae. Eternal Word Television Network, 23
Oct. 2002. Web. 16 April. 2015.