Praying The Rosary For Priests

M

ary always intercedes for the Church.

We place all priests under her maternal protection, that they may experience the help of her prayers.

For each decade of the rosary, this pamphlet offers a specific intention related to the priesthood, along with some brief thoughts for reflection, primarily from Scripture and the saints.

An inspiring way to pray for all priests, for priests you know by name, or priests in specific ministries, especially during this Year for Priests.

$2.25 U.S.

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Praying the Rosary for Priests

By Marianne Lorraine TrouvĂŠ, FSP

BOOKS & MEDIA Boston

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Nihil Obstat: Reverend William T. Kelly, S.T.D. Imprimatur: Seán Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap. Archbishop of Boston September 18, 2009 The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN 0-8198-5962-1 Cover design by Rosana Usselmann Cover photo: Sergia Ballini, FSP All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

“P” and PAULINE are registered trademarks of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Copyright © 2009, Daughters of St. Paul Published by Pauline Books & Media, 50 Saint Pauls Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491 Printed in the U.S.A. www.pauline.org Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.

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Introduction Some years ago, a priest visiting our religious community spoke about how difficult the priestly ministry can be. He asked us to imagine what a difference it would make for priests’ morale if even just a few people thanked them for their service—for a good homily, for getting up late at night to visit a dying person, for making the sacraments so easily available. While priests do these things for the love of Christ, they also certainly can appreciate a token of gratitude.

Another way of expressing gratitude is by praying for priests. Many of them labor under difficult circumstances and meet obstacles in their ministry. We can support them through our prayers. We should pray for vocations to the priesthood, but it is just as important to pray that those already ordained will persevere in their ministry.

This booklet offers a way of praying the rosary for priests. Each decade of the rosary has a specific intention related to the priesthood and offers some brief thoughts for reflection, primarily from Scripture.

While the intentions are expressed in general terms, 3

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you may wish to insert the names of priests whom you know or pray for priests in specific ministries. We can remember in prayer: ❍ missionaries; ❍ pastors and associate pastors; ❍ retired priests; ❍ spiritual directors; ❍ priests engaged in the media as writers, musicians, and artists; ❍ priests who are retreat directors; ❍ priests suffering from terminal illness; ❍ priests who minister to our youth; ❍ priests who are diocesan and parish vocation directors; ❍ priests who serve in diocesan administrative roles; ❍ priests who are educators; ❍ priests who minister to the elderly; ❍ priests who are prison or hospital chaplains.

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How to Pray the Rosary

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1. Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed.

2. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.

3. Pray 3 Hail Marys.

4. Pray the Glory, name the first Mystery, and pray the Lord’s Prayer.

5. Pray 10 Hail Marys.

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6. Pray the Glory, name 5. the second Mystery, and pray the Lord’s Prayer.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you reach the end.

8. Pray the Glory and the Hail, Holy Queen.

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The Prayers of the Rosary

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who tres6

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pass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning, and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

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The Joyful Mysteries ‫ﱝﱞﱝ‬ THE ANNUNCIATION Intention: That priests will be passionate followers of Jesus who strive to imitate his example of self-offering.

[W]hen Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” (Heb 10:5–7)

When Mary consented to God’s invitation, Christ came into the world to do God’s will. We pray that all priests may generously offer themselves to the Father in a lifelong gift of love.

Our Father, Hail Marys, Glory...

Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us.

“God is the only treasure which ultimately a person desires to find in a priest.”

Pope Benedict XVI 8

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THE VISITATION Intention: For priests who are missionaries throughout the world.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy.

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

(Lk 1:41–45)

Mary brought Jesus to the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah. We pray for priests who are missionaries, so that through their ministry the Gospel will reach people of all nations and cultures.

Our Father, Hail Marys, Glory...

Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us.

“I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news.”

Romans 15:20

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THE BIRTH OF JESUS Intention: That priests may encounter a heartfelt response to the Good News of salvation they proclaim.

[T]he angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:10–13)

The shepherds rejoiced when they heard the news of the Lord’s birth. We pray that priests may be encouraged by the joy and enthusiasm of those to whom they preach.

Our Father, Hail Marys, Glory...

Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us.

“Thanks to the Gospel those of us who did not see Christ in his lifetime can still be with him when we read it.”

Saint Ambrose

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THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE Intention: For the priests who have ministered to us personally.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk 2:34–35)

Mary wondered at Simeon’s words and reflected on them in her heart. We pray in gratitude for all the priests through whom we have received the sacraments and the word of God. Our Father, Hail Marys, Glory...

Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us.

“So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.

2 Corinthians 5:20

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THE LOSING AND FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE Intention: That priests may be eager to help those who are searching for truth to find it through faith in Jesus.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this?

Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Lk 2:46-49)

Mary and Joseph did not stop searching for Jesus until they found him. We pray that through their witness to Jesus, priests may guide many persons to a deeper knowledge and love for the Lord.

Our Father, Hail Marys, Glory...

Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us.

“A vocation is a firm and constant will in which the person called is to serve God in the way and in the places to which Almighty God has called him.”

Saint Francis de Sales 12