The Vatican releases APOSTOLIC LETTER ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE
The whole document is at the Vatican website:
A proposed addition to the traditional pattern
19. Of the many mysteries of Christ's life, only a few are indicated by the Rosary in the form that has become generally established with the seal of the Church's approval. The selection was determined by the origin of the prayer, which was based on the number 150, the number of the Psalms in the Psalter.
I believe, however, that to bring out fully the Christological depth of the Rosary it would be suitable to make an addition to the traditional pattern which, while left to the freedom of individuals and communities, could broaden it to include the mysteries of Christ's public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion. In the course of those mysteries we contemplate important aspects of the person of Christ as the definitive revelation of God. Declared the beloved Son of the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, Christ is the one who announces the coming of the Kingdom, bears witness to it in his works and proclaims its demands. It is during the years of his public ministry that the mystery of Christ is most evidently a mystery of light: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (Jn 9:5).
Consequently, for the Rosary to become more fully a “compendium of the Gospel”, it is fitting to add, following reflection on the Incarnation and the hidden life of Christ (the joyful mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings of his Passion (the sorrowful mysteries) and the triumph of his Resurrection (the glorious mysteries), a meditation on certain particularly significant moments in his public ministry (the mysteries of light). This addition of these new mysteries, without prejudice to any essential aspect of the prayer's traditional format, is meant to give it fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the Rosary's place within Christian spirituality as a true doorway to the depths of the Heart of Christ, ocean of joy and of light, of suffering and of glory.
Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila
Some of her writings are available online at St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Some of her writings are available online at St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Monday, October 14, 2002
From the Blessed George Preca's online page
Spirituality
Another Marian devotion that our Founder treasured was the Holy Rosary. In order to encourage everyone to recite the rosary, he used to say: “Our Lady waits for our Rosary even up till midnight!”. For him, the Rosary was not only a vocal prayer, but also a prayer of a meditative and contemplative nature. This can be seen clearly in his writing called The Mysteries of Light. A rapid glance at these mysteries will clearly show us that they do differ a lot form the ones we are used to. The first mystery is when Our Lord was baptized at the Jordan; the second consists in meditating the events of Christ’s miracles; the third, when Jesus Christ taught the Beatitudes; The fourth about Our Lord’s transfiguration; and the fifth is about the Last Supper.
Spirituality
Another Marian devotion that our Founder treasured was the Holy Rosary. In order to encourage everyone to recite the rosary, he used to say: “Our Lady waits for our Rosary even up till midnight!”. For him, the Rosary was not only a vocal prayer, but also a prayer of a meditative and contemplative nature. This can be seen clearly in his writing called The Mysteries of Light. A rapid glance at these mysteries will clearly show us that they do differ a lot form the ones we are used to. The first mystery is when Our Lord was baptized at the Jordan; the second consists in meditating the events of Christ’s miracles; the third, when Jesus Christ taught the Beatitudes; The fourth about Our Lord’s transfiguration; and the fifth is about the Last Supper.
Here are the "new" meditations for the Rosary
They actually are the work of Blessed George Preca who first published them in the 1950's calling them Mysteries of "light."
They are:
1. Jesus' Baptism.
2. Jesus reveals himself at the Wedding feast of Cana.
3. Jesus' announcement of the Kingdom of God.
4. The Transfiguration.
5. The Last Supper.
They actually are the work of Blessed George Preca who first published them in the 1950's calling them Mysteries of "light."
They are:
1. Jesus' Baptism.
2. Jesus reveals himself at the Wedding feast of Cana.
3. Jesus' announcement of the Kingdom of God.
4. The Transfiguration.
5. The Last Supper.
Pope changing the rosary?
I doubt this is the case. My guess is that the Pope is going to suggest other meditations, not change anything. But we'll see...
From Reuters:
According to Vatican sources, the Pope Wednesday will issue a document proposing that Catholics meditate on five more events in Christ's life in the new rosary, adding a further layer of spirituality to the age-old prayer.
I doubt this is the case. My guess is that the Pope is going to suggest other meditations, not change anything. But we'll see...
From Reuters:
According to Vatican sources, the Pope Wednesday will issue a document proposing that Catholics meditate on five more events in Christ's life in the new rosary, adding a further layer of spirituality to the age-old prayer.
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