The New Testament Rosary - short verse for each bead
“She kept all these words in her heart.”
This rosary aid (and the other linked above) takes a short text (usually from Holy Scripture) for each Our Father and Hail Mary. This one mostly features texts from the New Testament, but with some divergence into the Church’s traditional texts and images. Each Our Father generally sets the scene for the mystery.
There are many such aids in circulation. What distinguishes these from the others is the brevity of each text, which thereby lends itself to memorisation. It also prioritises texts used in the Holy Liturgy.
The brevity of each text also ensures that these additions do not add any meaningful length of time to the praying of the Rosary.
He who memorises each text below can never be deprived of access to the Life of Christ, even if his books are burnt and he is consigned to prison, or lost in the wilderness.
The second follows the same format, except that every text is taken from the Old Testament, thereby showing the amazing precision with which our Lord fulfilled so many prophecies and foreshadowings. This second part will be published shortly.
See also:
The Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation
Behold, a Virgin will be with Child: Our Father, etc.
The angel of the Lord declared to Mary, saying: Hail Mary, etc.
What manner of salutation should this be?
Fear not: for thou hast found grace with God.
Thou shalt conceive and bring forth a son.
How shall this be done, for I know not man?
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee.
Therefore shall he be called the Son of God.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to thy word.
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.
Rising up, our Lady goes to the hill country: Our Father, etc.
Our Lady greets Elizabeth.
St John leaps.
Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Ghost.
Blessed art thou among women!
How should the mother of my Lord come to me?
My soul doth magnify the Lord!
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Mary stays for three months.
St John is born.
3. The Nativity of our Lord
A decree went out from Caesar Augustus: Our Father, etc.
Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.
Staying in a stable.
For there was no room at the inn.
Christus natus est! (Christ is born)
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in manger.
Shepherds watch their flocks.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
They go with haste, and find the child.
They go back praising God.
Mary keeps all these words in her heart.
4. The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
Our Lady submits to be purified: Our Father, etc.
Our Lord is presented in the Temple.
Simeon is led there by the Holy Ghost.
Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord:
For my eyes have seen thy salvation.
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples.
A light to the revelation of the Gentiles
And the glory of thy people Israel.
This child is set for the fall and resurrection of many.
A sign which shall be contradicted.
And thy own soul a sword shall pierce.
5. The Finding of our Lord in the Temple
In Jerusalem for the Passover: Our Father, etc.
Mary and Joseph return to Nazareth.
The Child Jesus remains.
They come a day’s journey.
They return into Jerusalem, seeking him.
After three days, they find him in the temple.
Son, why hast thou done so to us?
Thy father and I sought thee sorrowing.
How is it that you sought me?
Did you not know I must be about my Father’s business?
She kept all these words in her heart.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony of our Lord in the Garden
Jesus begins to be sorrowful: Our Father, etc.
My Father, let this chalice pass.
Could you not watch one hour?
Not my will, but thine be done.
An Angel comes from heaven, strengthening him.
He sweats blood. Thy will be done.
Friend, whereto art thou come?
Whom seek ye? Jesus of Nazareth.
He who takes up the sword, will die by the sword.
Taken, bound, to the High Priest.
The Shepherd is struck, the sheep are scattered.
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
Our Lord is presented to Pilate: Our Father, etc.
He is falsely accused.
Delivered to scourging.
Stripped of his clothes.
Bound to the pillar.
Paratum cor meum, Deus. (My heart is ready, O God)
Beaten with rods.
His flesh is bruised.
Whipped with scourges.
His precious blood flows to the ground.
By his stripes we are healed.
3. The Crowning of our Lord with Thorns
Our Lord is dragged from pillar: Our Father, etc.
They call together the whole band.
The purple robe.
The crown of thorns.
The reed as a sceptre.
Hail, King of the Jews!
Mocked with Genuflection.
Spat upon.
Struck on the Head.
Ecce Homo, behold your King.
We have no king but Caesar.
4. Our Lord’s Carrying of his Cross
Pilate sits in judgement: Our Father, etc.
Jesus condemned to death.
He receives his Cross.
Falls the first time.
Meets his Mother.
Simon of Cyrene.
St Veronica.
Falls the second time.
The women of Jerusalem.
Falls the third time.
Stripped of his garments.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord
Our Lord is nailed to the Cross: Our Father, etc.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
This day, thou shalt be with me in Paradise.
Woman, behold your son.
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
I thirst.
It is consummated.
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
Jesus dies on the Cross.
Pierced, and taken down.
Laid in the Tomb.
The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection of our Lord from the Dead
Our Lord rises from Death: Our Father, etc.
He meets his Mother
Angels roll back the stone.
The women find the empty tomb.
Magdalene runs to Apostles.
Peter and John run to the tomb.
He appears to Mary Magdalene.
He appears to the women on the road.
He appears on the road to Emmaus.
He appears to Peter.
He appears to all the Apostles.
2. The Ascension of our Lord into Heaven
Our Lord and the Apostles at Mount Olivet. Our Father, etc.
All power is given to me in Heaven and on earth.
Go therefore, teach ye all nations, baptising them.
He that believes and is baptised shall be saved.
You shall receive the Holy Ghost
And behold, I am with you all days.
He ascends into Heaven.
Sits at right hand of God.
Men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?
He shall so come, as you have seen him going.
They return to Jerusalem to pray.
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost
Our Lady and the Apostles in the cenacle: Our Father, etc.
A great sound and wind.
Tongues of fire descend.
They are filled with the Holy Ghost.
They begin to speak strange languages
Peter lifts up his voice:
You have crucified and slain Christ.
Whom God hath raised up.
What shall we do, men and brethren?
Do penance, and be baptised.
Three thousand were won that day.
4. The Assumption of our Lady into Heaven
Our Lady, living with St John: Our Father, etc.
She feels death is near.
The apostles assemble.
They recount their works.
She breathes her last.
Our Lord receives her soul.
The Burial of the Virgin.
She is assumed into Heaven.
St Thomas arrives.
He is shown the tomb.
But the tomb is empty.
5. The Coronation of our Lady as Queen of Heaven
Assumpta est Maria in caelum. (Mary is assumed into Heaven): Our Father, etc.
Our Lady is crowned by the Holy Trinity.
A great sign appeared in heaven
A woman clothed with the sun
And the moon under her feet
And a crown of twelve stars
Who is she coming forth as the dawn?
Fair as the moon
Bright as the sun
Terrible as an army set in array.
Ave, Regina Caelorum!
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