Our Lady of the Rosary

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.  The entire month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, precipitated by this feast.  Formerly called Our Lady of Victory, this feast was instituted in 1570 by Pope Pius V in thanksgiving for a victory over the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto.

The Rosary is a form of contemplative, vocal, physical and mental prayer which takes us through the story of the Life of Christ. While praying each decade of 10 prayers, you meditate on a different mystery from the life of Christ and pray for a particular virtue.  It is truly a life changing form of prayer that can be prayed while resting or walking, silently or aloud, in parts, or as a whole.

The following is a list of all the mysteries of the rosary along with the corresponding virtue or fruit.  It is truly a catechism in miniature.  

Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Saturday)

1. The Annunciation (of the Birth of the Savior to Mary): Humility
2. The Visitation (of Mary to Elizabeth and John the Baptist): Charity, Love of neighbor
3. The Nativity of Our Lord: Poverty of spirit, Detachment from the things of the world, Contempt of riches, Love of the poor
4. The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple: Obedience, Purity of intention
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple: Piety

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday)

1. The Agony in the Garden: Contrition, Conformity to the will of God
2. The Scourging at the Pillar: Purity, Mortification
3. The Crowning with Thorns: Moral Courage, Contempt of the world
4. The Carrying of the Cross: Patience
5. The Crucifixion: Final perseverance, Salvation, Self-Denial

Glorious Mysteries (Sunday, Wednesday)

1. The Resurrection: Faith
2. The Ascension: Hope, Desire for Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (on Mary and the Apostles at Pentecost)Love of God, : Wisdom, Knowing and sharing the truth
4. The Assumption of Mary: Devotion to Mary, Grace of a happy death
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Eternal Happiness

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan: Openness to the Holy Spirit, Living one's baptismal promises
2. The Miracle at Cana: To Jesus through Mary, Doing whatever Jesus says
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: Repentance, Trust in God
4. The Transfiguration: Becoming a new person in Christ, Desire for holiness
5. The Institution of the Eucharist: Eucharistic Adoration, Active participation at Mass

Hat tip to Catholic Culture.