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Praying of the Rosary

Mauricia Mortensen
Shannon Atkinson
World Religions 2300
October 19, 2015

Praying of the Rosary


According to Catholic tradition, praying of the rosary began over 800 years ago
when Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of the Preachers (Dominican Order), had an
apparition by the Virgin Mary in year 1214. Since then, Catholics all over the globe have
used the rosary to lead them through a prescribed order of prayer and meditation. The
purpose of this essay is to introduce you to the rosary and its importance in the Catholic
church. I will also discuss my experience at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and the
personal interview with my friend and cathedral parishioner (member), Krystina Lopez.
As we walked up the seemingly ancient staircase to enter the cathedral, people
reverently entered in from the main entrance, gave the sign of the cross, and
genuflected as they seated themselves. The sunlight slipped through the storm clouds
to barely light the stained glass windows, and the congregation stood to sing hymns as
Krystina and I found an aisle seat near the back. The setting was perfect- beautiful
music, incredible artistry and architecture, the spirits obvious presence. It was amazing.
I sat quietly throughout service, trying to observe people without disturbing
anyone or bringing attention to myself. However, afterward Krystina and I remained
seated and discussed my questions and observations. My first question was of course
related to the amazing stained glass windows. What were the images of? What did they
mean? Krystina didnt know the entire answers to these questions, however she did
know that the Cathedral had been (semi) recently renovated, and she believed the
windows were installed at that time. In my own research, I learned that the Cathedral
was renovated in 1991, but the windows were installed when the Cathedral was built in
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1909. The windows at the Cathedral of the Madeleine actually follow the pattern to the
rosary. There are three groups of rosary prayer called mysteries. Each mystery then
has five biblical references that falls under it, and plays a special part in rosary prayer.
The windows at the Cathedral of the Madeleine have images that depict two of the three
mysteries. At one time, they did have all of the mysteries however for an unknown
reason the windows that follow the last mystery are missing.
On the west wall of the cathedral the first of the mysteries, the Joyful mystery, is
depicted in the stained glass windows. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) is the first of
the Joyful events, and refers to the famous Christian belief that Angel Gabriel appeared
to a young Jewish girl, Mary. He came to let her know that she will carry a heavenly
child that she is to name Jesus, and he will be the Son of God.
The second event is The Visitation (Luke 1:41-42), and is part of The
Annunciation. When Angel Gabriel came to Mary, he also let her know that her cousin,
Elizabeth, is pregnant. However, Elizabeth is very old and has not had any children, so
she was believed to be infertile. Mary then goes to visit Elizabeth and tell her about
Angel Gabriels visit. When Mary tells her cousin about the news she was given,
Elizabeths baby (John the Baptist) leapt for joy in her womb. Thus, John the Baptist
was the first person (although unborn) to celebrate the news of Jesus! The next Joyful
event is The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7 and Matthew 2:1-16). Most people picture this
as the traditional nativity that is most commonly displayed in celebration of Jesus birth,
during Christmas.

The fourth of the Joyful events is The Presentation (Luke 2:22-23) of Jesus in the
temple. Jewish law required that every male child had to be taken to the temple to be
presented to the Lord. Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord to fulfil Jewish law.
This brings me to the last of the Joyful events. When Jesus was twelve his family
had traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. During this time his parents lost him. He was
missing for three days when his parents found him in the temple with a group of
scholars. His mother asked him where he had been, because he should have known
that his parents were worried about him being gone. He humbly asks his mother why
she was so worried, because she should have known that he was doing the Lords
work. This event is known as Finding Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46).
On the east wall of the cathedral, the stained glass windows depict events from
the Glorious Mystery. The Glorious events begin with The Resurrection (Matthew 27:60
- 28:9, Mark 15:47 - 16:11, Luke 23:54 - 34:9, and John 19:40 - 20:18), the greatest of
all of Jesus miracles. After his crucifixion, Jesus body was laid to rest in a tomb and a
large boulder was placed in front of the entryway. Jesus had promised that he would
rise on the third day, so non-believers stood guard at the tomb to prevent his followers
from taking his body and deceiving others into believing that he had indeed conquered
death. An earthquake came and an angel descended from heaven, rolled back the
boulder and sat on it. The guards were frightened and left in fear. Mary Magdalen
arrived at the tomb to find Jesus missing, and feared someone stole his body. She later
found out he had already risen.

The second and third events of the Glorious mysteries are the Ascension into
Heaven (Mark 16:14-20, Luke 24:44-51, and Acts 1:4-11), and the Pentecost (Acts 1:1214, and Acts 2:1-8). After his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days on earth to live among
the apostles. During this time, Jesus commanded the apostles to travel the world and
preach the gospel to everyone. He also let them know that an angel would come down
and bless them with the Holy Spirit (the Pentecost). Jesus told them that whoever
believes in Him and is baptized would be saved, but those that do not believe would be
condemned. Jesus then blessed the apostles before two angels appeared and Jesus
ascended into heaven.
The fourth and fifth events of the Glorious mysteries are Marys Assumption and
Marys Coronation as queen. These events were not recorded in the Bible, however
they are supported by Bible passages. Supporting Marys Assumption Luke 1:46-50
reads: And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in
God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty, hath
done great things to me; and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation unto
generations, to them that fear him. Support Marys Coronation Psalm 44:14-16 reads:
All the glory of the king's daughter is within in golden borders, Clothed round about with
varieties. After her shall virgins be brought to the king: her neighbours shall be brought
to thee. They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be brought into
the temple of the king.

Krystina did have the answer to my next question. How does the Rosary
symbolize the Rosary prayers? She explained to me that most Rosaries have 60 beads,
not including the crucifix pendant. Above the crucifix are two single beads separated by
a group of three beads. The first single bead represents the Our The Father Prayer. This
prayer is based on the Bible passages Matthew 6:9-13, and Luke 11:2-4. The next three
beads are Hail Mary beads. The Hail Mary

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