Rosarium Virginis Mariae

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Rosarium Virginis Mariae is an apostolic letter published by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 2002 , introducing “the mysteries of the Rosary , rich in light” and declaring 2002 the “Year of the Rosary”.

Rosary and Holy Scriptures

The rosary is a contemplative prayer related to Christ , which cannot be separated from the Holy Scriptures . It is the prayer of Christians who, guided by the Virgin Mary Jesus, advance on the pilgrimage of faith. It is therefore important to pray the rosary in the family, in the congregations and communities for the mission of the Church and for peace among people. In his apostolic letter, Pope John Paul II describes the rosary as the “short version of the Gospel ” and underlines the value of the rosary for “being shaped like Christ”.

A new secret

He added five more to the 15 previous rosary mysteries, which outline stages in Jesus' public life. The three great secrets , each divided into groups of five, are:

  1. The joyous rosary encompasses the birth of Jesus, his childhood and youth;
  2. The painful rosary looks at the suffering and death of Jesus;
  3. The glorious rosary unfolds the Easter message.

To clarify the Christological content of the rosary prayer, John Paul II recommended the addition of a further mystery: the “Rosary, rich in light”, the contemplation of the public life of Jesus between his baptism and his ordeal.

The “light-filled secrets” of the rosary

2005 stained glass by Irish artist George Walsh depicting the five “light-filled secrets” of the rosary

The newly introduced "mysteries rich in light" of the rosary comprise the following sections in the life of Jesus:

  1. Baptism in the Jordan
  2. The wedding of Cana
  3. The proclamation of the kingdom of God
  4. The transfiguration
  5. The Most Holy Eucharist (The Sacrament of the Altar)

John Paul II cites the following reasons for this expansion: These “secrets” of the Rosary, which is rich in light, could help us to better understand the miracle of the divinity and humanity of Jesus . The “Rosary, rich in light” not only reflects the divine light, but is also a testimony to its power, which turns the old into new.

The relationship with the Mother of God Mary

Pope John Paul II writes about the relationship of the new mysteries to Mary, the Mother of God :

The presence of Mary remains in the background in these mysteries with the exception of the wedding at Cana. The Gospels occasionally indicate their presence in this or that preaching activity of Jesus (cf. Mk 3, 31-35; Jn 2, 12), [...]. However, the task assigned to her in Cana accompanies in a certain way the whole journey of Jesus. The revelation, which emanates directly from the Father at the baptism in Jordan and echoes in the words of the Baptist, lies on her lips at Cana and becomes the great maternal exhortation which Mary addresses to the Church of all times: "What he tells you, do that! ”(Jn 2: 5). Here we find the admonition that prepares the words and signs of Jesus throughout his entire public ministry and thus forms the Marian background of all “mysteries rich in light”. ( Rosarium Virginis Mariae No. 21)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Church of the Holy Rosary, Tullow. Retrieved June 8, 2014 .
  2. ↑ The light-rich secrets. Retrieved June 8, 2014 .