CAROLINE M. BOUWHUIS M A R Y GALMBACHER THE QUEEN'S WORK 3742 West Pine Blvd. St. Louis, Mo. Imprimi potest: Samuel Horine, S. J . Praep. Prov. Missourianae Nihil o b s t a t : F. J. H o l w e c k Censor L i b r o r u m I m p r i m a t u r : + Joanries J. Glennoft Archiepiscopus Sti. Ludovici Sti. Ludovici, die 20 A u g u s t i , 1934 A n y Financial. Profit made by the C e n t r a l Office of the Sodality will be used f o r the advancement of the Sodality m o v e m e n t and the cause'bf Catholic A c t i o n . C o p y r i g h t 1934 T H E Q U E E N ' S W O R K , Inc. D s a ^ d l e r f GENERAL AIMS FOR ROSARY LESSONS T o teach the correct w a y t o say t h e Rosary. T o give students an intelligent u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e Rosary. T o f o s t e r devotion t o M a r y t h r o u g h t h e Rosary, T o s t r e n g t h e n t h e power of c o n c e n t r a t i o n in prayer. T o acquaint children w i t h t h e influence of t h e prayer of t h e Rosary in a r t . T o s t r e n g t h e n f a i t h t h r o u g h intelligent and devout saying of the Rosary. T o learn its p o t e n c y in t i m e of stress. T o gain an appreciation of its f a v o r w i t h God. T o become t h o r o u g h l y acquainted w i t h Catholic terminology. THE R O S A R Y I . I N T R O D U C T I O N I t was t h r o u g h M a r y t h a t C h r i s t , the Savior of m a n k i n d , came t o this earth. She became t h e Mother of God and t h u s became the channel t h r o u g h w h i c h the grace of God comes f o r the help of m a n - kind. By this special prerogative M a r y is our m o s t p o w e r f u l i n t e r - cessor in heaven. Since she w a s - s o i n t i m a t e l y associated w i t h H i m in the w o r k of m a n ' s salvation, devotion t o her is t h e n a t u r a l accom- p a n i m e n t of devotion t o her Son. I I . C O M P O S I T I O N O F T H E R O S A R Y A. As a prayer. T h e Rosary is a union of m e n t a l and vocal prayer offered in special honor of the Blessed Mother. T h e vocal prayers, t h a t is, the Lord's Prayer ( t h e O u r F a t h e r ) , the Angelic Salutation ( t h e H a i l M a r y ) , the Doxology ( t h e G l o r y be t o the F a t h e r ) , are, almost w o r d f o r word, inspired b y t h e H o l y Ghost in the Sacred Scripture. T h e m e n t a l prayer is a h e a r t f e l t contemplation of some of the principal mysteries of t h e life of o u r Lord and t h e l i f e of t h e Blessed M o t h e r . These, too, f o r the m o s t p a r t , are given in t h e Sacred Scriptures. T h e Rosary is defined as a definite f o r m of prayer wherein we separate fifteen decades of the Angelic Salutation b y interposing t h e Lord's Prayer between t h e m and a t each decade w e recall in devout medita- tion a different m y s t e r y of our redemption. B. The beads. T h e complete Rosary consists of fifteen O u r Fathers, and G l o r y be t o t h e Father's, and one h u n d r e d and fifty H a i l Marys, t o be recited on indulgenced beads. I t is divided i n t o three parts, each c o n t a i n i n g five decades. A decade of the Rosary as w e ordinarily use the t e r m means one O u r Father, ten H a i l Marys, and t h e Glory be t o the Father. T o each decade is assigned one of the principal mysteries of t h e life of o u r Savior or of H i s Blessed Mother. T h e beads or the chaplet c o m m o n l y used i n t h e recitation of the Rosary consist of a short chain at whose f r e e end is a crucifix, followed b y one large bead, t h e n three small ones, and another large bead. I n addition is another chain whose ends meet the short chain. O n t h e large chain are s t r u n g five groups of small beads, ten in a group, w i t h a large bead i n t e r v e n - i n g between groups. T h e H a i l M a r y is said on t h e small beads and t h e O u r F a t h e r and t h e G l o r y be t o t h e F a t h e r o n t h e large beads. I I I . W H Y U S E B E A D S ? 1. T h e use of beads as counters is historical. 2. Passing beads t h r o u g h t h e fingers holds t h e a t t e n t i o n , makes the body assist in worshipping God as well as t h e soul. 3. T h e beads are suggestive of devotion. T h e presence of t h e attached crucifix raises t h e m i n d t o God and induces a p r a y e r f u l spirit. T h e c a r r y i n g of the- beads f r e q u e n t l y reminds one of t h e Blessed Mother, fills t h e m i n d w i t h t h e t h o u g h t of her f o r at least an i n s t a n t , helps us t o elicit an a c t of f a i t h . 4. T h e definite n u m b e r and a r r a n g e m e n t of beads h a v e t h e sanc- tion of t h e C h u r c h . This p a r t i c u l a r f o r m of prayer, t h e saying of t h e Rosary, does n o t depend on emotion, b u t proceeds f r o m t h e a c t of the will wishing t o worship God in this p a r t i c u l a r w a y . T h e C h u r c h g r a n t s special blessings and f a v o r s t o s t i m u l a t e such acts of worship. A n o t h e r c o m m o n bond of prayer t h r o u g h o u t t h e universal C h u r c h is t h u s established; Catholics say t h e Rosary in every land. I V . W H Y T H E R E P E T I T I O N O F T H E S A M E V O C A L P R A Y E R ? 1. O r d i n a r i l y w h e n t w o persons n o b l y love one another J t h e y are n o t c o n t e n t t o state t h e f a c t once. W e love C h r i s t and H i s Blessed M o t h e r ; w e do n o t m i n d telling t h e m a b o u t it i n noble, inspired language. Repetition is t h e language of love. O f course, w e should live u p t o w h a t w e say, and p r o v e o u r love of C h r i s t b y o u r lives. 2. E v e n a t a football game there is n o t j u s t one cheer, a second's applause f o r a brilliant play. If a m a n or w o m a n has achieved dis- t i n c t i o n f o r an heroic deed, or scientific achievement, t h e person t o be honored is n o t given j u s t one short reception, b u t prolonged cere- monies are held in c i t y a f t e r c i t y . Repetition is t h e language of enthusi- asm and appreciation. W e are enthusiastic about C h r i s t and H i s Blessed M o t h e r , and w e appreciate t h e great t h i n g s t h e y have done f o r us. 3. Poems c o m m i t t e d t o m e m o r y usually influence us t h e most. T h e r e are scarcely a n y sentences in a n y language t h a t c a n approach in beauty, s u b l i m i t y of t h o u g h t , or devotion, t h e ideas given us in t h e Doxology, t h e Lord's Prayer, t h e Angelic Salutation. D e v o u t repe- tition of these prayers keeps o u r minds filled d u r i n g their recitation w i t h noble t h o u g h t s ; w e stay in the c o m p a n y of Christ and H i s Blessed Mother. These prayers are n o t barren b u t rich, always prolific of new f r u i t f o r the m i n d . V . T H E M Y S T E R I E S T h e fifteen mysteries chosen f o r the contemplation t o accom- p a n y t h e recital of t h e vocal prayers are divided i n t o three groups, the Glorious, t h e J o y f u l and t h e S o r r o w f u l . T h e y r e f e r t o glorious, j o y f u l or s o r r o w f u l incidents in the lives of o u r Lord and H i s Blessed Mother. Ordinarily, only five decades of t h e Rosary are said at any time. O n e m a y choose a n y g r o u p of mysteries t o go w i t h his vocal prayer. T h e r e is an appropriateness, however, in choosing: the glorious mysteries—on Sunday, Wednesday, and S a t u r d a y t h e j o y f u l mysteries—on M o n d a y and T h u r s d a y : t h e s o r r o w f u l mysteries—on Tuesday and Friday. Sunday, t h e Lord's D a y , is n a t u r a l l y suited t o t h e commemoration of Easter and Pentecost, the G l o r y of t h e Ascension, and t h e special glories of Mary, Christ's M o t h e r ; Friday, as the c o m m e m o r a t i o n of Good Friday, n a t u r a l l y suggests itself as t h e day fitted t o recall the sorrows of Christ. H o w e v e r , t o do special honor t o t h e mysteries t h a t deal w i t h t h e b i r t h of our Lord, on t h e Sundays f r o m the first Sunday of A d v e n t t o Septuagésima, the J o y f u l Mysteries are usually said; and t o . honor t h e Sacred Passion, on the Sundays f r o m Septuagésima t o P a l m Sunday, t h e S o r r o w f u l Mysteries are usually said. T h e five glorious mysteries are: T h e Resurrection T h e Ascension T h e Descent of the H o l y Ghost upon t h e Apostles T h e A s s u m p t i o n of the Blessed V i r g i n i n t o heaven T h e Coronation of t h e Blessed Virgin in heaven T h e five j o y f u l mysteries are: T h e A n n u n c i a t i o n T h e Visitation n c J T h e B i r t h :/D thi^ts^ ù ii 'Mttds t awiv? .. ... • T h e . E j n t g g g P & Î ^ Ç f e j W ' J e s u a i ^ j t l ^ i J ^ e m p l a - -, ï a T h e ^fives sprrowfiri my^eri.es aee:? « S9wh t a«USiig&«i ss r* • ' • ^ ' it itoinbt-bm&i sth i -•• s ^ î w r a w p i J M î A î » « » • i j r f ^ o î v j . f e n d a à n « A « I S Rî jV^Vi ftp;"'•'•!:: j f t f j f e " t . V l t !" -iX-i) :•'•' " -.4 .? j%lÉ i&éditàtiG». I t is sublime ¿«sal;, prayer, united wiiii'îhèdkatiOft. Jsrfi fnàjf - ~u>. m f d X s. ^ «rf» - * • .-iih&ttiinO twmh nai!< If we c h o o s y w é A$î#ur.mindsi?aàd hearts on t h e early life of our Lord- If the sorrowful, rpysteyies are chosen, we t h i n k ' about t h e " ^ f f e H n ^ s " o u r " ï l p r d :e^u:ifé1îMn order t o redeem lis. In sayihgfthe' glo^ods''mysteries We ïëjdr2è aï thé t r i u m p h of our R e d é è m é r ^ î i f H i s " v i c t o r y : o r é r ; | i n and d e a , ^ ^ ; trmffipfi of our Blessed M ^ H i ê r 5 % | 6 n l i e r reçèptipnaHïto "heaven; ààS'fter C0):6h.atiôn às Q u e e n . 1 ' ¿ ^ •1"^'®"®» v - ' - f IwM| ï g ï M i r a i p W e look o n each mystères w i t h tÉe?heitrt,soto s p e a k . W e dô n o t look merely t o get the facts, t o be a reporter or a historian. T h e heart wants a better appreciation, a deeper knowledge, a warmer love of Christ, of the Blessed Mother, which going t h r o u g h the mysteries gives. W e w a n t t o realize p r a y e r f u l ^ , lovingly, w h a t all this means to us, t h a t the Christ w h o m .we lovk, is f o u n d in the Temple, or is whipped by Roman soldiers because we sinned. T h e Blessed Mother whom we love, w h o is our model and inspiration, is the one t o whom the Angel appears. She goes t o visit St. Elizabeth, she is anxious when the Child Jesus, her boy, is lost in the Temple. W h a t we are t h i n k i n g about and praying about, are not just accounts of somebody w h o died long ago, b u t actual experiences of our brother, Christ; actual things t h a t happened t o our Mother, Mary. W e are concerned about them. W e do care. T h e y do m a t t e r t o us. I t makes quite a difference to us t h a t they did happen. This picture in our imagination, t h a t we t r y t o see w i t h t h e eye, t h e words w e t r y t o hear w i t h o u r ears, raise o u r hearts t o God, p r a y e r f u l l y . W e t r y t o realize more and more w h a t a sweet t h i n g it is t o be w i t h Christ and H i s Blessed Mother. A m y s t e r y should be mentioned b e f o r e each decade is b e g u n . T h e n while r e c i t i n g the H a i l Marys o u r hearts, t h r o u g h t h e senses and the imagination, dwell on t h e m y s t e r y , muse about i t , t h i n k a b o u t it a little. For example t h e first joyous m y s t e r y , " T h e A n n u n c i a t i o n , " pictures t h e Blessed M o t h e r a t prayer and t h e unexpected appearance of t h e Angel Gabriel, b r i n g i n g her a message f r o m heaven, telling her t h a t she is t o be t h e M o t h e r of God. T h u s c o n t e m p l a t i o n is woven in w i t h t h e vocal prayer. V I I . T H E S A Y I N G O F T H E R O S A R Y Choose t h e g r o u p of mysteries on w h i c h you wish t o meditate, f o r example, t h e J o y f u l Mysteries. ( N o t e : T o gain t h e indulgence a t t a c h e d t o saying t h e Rosary, w e m a y , if w e wish, begin immediately w i t h t h e first m y s t e r y , o m i t t i n g t h e Creed, t h e O u r Father, t h e three H a i l Mary's, and t h e G l o r y be t o t h e Father, t h a t are usually said o n the c r u c i f i x a n d beads o n t h e short chain. O r d i n a r i l y , however, begin t h e saying of t h e Rosary b y blessing yourself w i t h t h e crucifix of y o u r Rosary.) T h e n holding t h e first bead, say a n O u r F a t h e r , and using t h e first g r o u p of t e n beads as counters say ten H a i l Marys, m e a n t i m e p i c t u r i n g t h e appearance of t h e Angel Gabriel t o t h e Blessed M o t h e r a t prayer. C o n c l u d e t h e decade b y saying one G l o r y be t o t h e Father, on t h e large bead immediately f o l l o w i n g . T h i s ends t h e first decade. Each decade is said t h e same w a y . T h e o n l y change is i n t h e subject of t h e m e d i t a t i o n , t h e t i t l e and scene of t h e m y s t e r y . 9 A ROSARY PROJECT LESSON 1 I. AIMS: 1. T o teach t h e composition of the chaplet. 2. T o a c q u a i n t the children w i t h the t w o f o r m s of prayer, vocal and mental. 3. T o awaken in children a necessity f o r an intelligent u n d e r - s t a n d i n g of the Catholic practice. II. P R E P A R A T I O N : N o t l o n g ago a m a n declared t h a t Catholics are exceedingly i g n o r a n t about the practices of their c h u r c h . T h e y do n o t u n d e r - stand t h e m e a n i n g of their devotions, b u t follow t h e m p a r r o t - f a s h i o n . H e mentioned the Rosary as an example. N o w , if this m a n came i n t o t h e room and asked you some questions about t h e Rosary, such as, " W h y do you c a r r y one?", " H o w do y o u say i t ? " , " W h y do you say i t ? " , h o w m a n y of you could answer intelligently? M a n y non-Catholics t h i n k t h a t w e c a r r y a Rosary as a k i n d of amulet or rabbit's f o o t , as if t h e object itself had power t o avert danger or t o insure protection against accident. Could we set these people r i g h t ? I I I . P R E S E N T A T I O N : T E A C H E R Teacher holds up her large Rosary so all in class can see it. W h a t names are given t o this s t r i n g of beads? O f w h a t does t h e Rosary or chaplet consist? H o w are the beads arranged? W h a t separates t h e decades? W h a t is f o u n d between t h e crucifix and t h e j u n c t u r e of the long chain w i t h t h e small one? P U P I L Rosary, t h e beads, chaplet. If the term chaplet is not given by the children, the teacher should supply it, since this term is often used in literature. E. g., Evan- geline. C r u c i f i x , beads, chain. T h e r e are five groups of t e n beads. Each group is called a decade. A larger bead. A g r o u p of three beads w i t h a larger bead before and a f t e r . 10 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W h a t prayer is said on t h e crucifix? W h a t prayers are said on the large beads? W h a t prayer is said on t h e small beads? W h y do w e use beads? (Teach- er supplies answer given in paren- thesis.) W h y c a n ' t we use our fingers as counters? P U P I L T h e Creed. T h e O u r F a t h e r and G l o r y be t o t h e Father. T h e H a i l Mary. T h e beads are used as counters. (From earliest times beads have been used as counters. This cus- tom still obtains in oriental coun| tries.) T h e beads- are indulgenced and our fingers are n o t . Using fingers would be too- distracting. I t w o u l d be too d i f f i c u l t t o keep a record of t h e decades. T h e use .of beads is traditional, an old p r a c t i c e of t h e C h u r c h . So f a r w e have mentioned certain set prayers, namely, the O u r Father, t h e H a i l Mary, and the G l o r y be t o t h e F a t h e r , w h i c h are said because these prayers are u n i f o r m t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d in every language t h e y are called f o r m a l prayers. T h e y are called vocal prayers because of t h e old established customs of saying t h e m aloud. W h e n prayers are said aloud, in w h i c h we use o u r o w n words and n o t a set f o r m we call t h e m i n f o r m a l prayers. - T E A C H E R B u t is vocal prayer t h e only f o r m of prayer used in saying the beads? W h a t kind of prayer do we call t h i n k i n g about t h e mysteries? W h a t other names are given t o prayer w h i c h is mental? P U P I L N o . W h i l e w e are saying t h e prayers we are t h i n k i n g about the mysteries. Mental prayer. Meditation, reflection, c o n t e m - plation. 11 A ROSARY PROJECT Note to teacher: T h e f o l l o w i n g explanation m a y be given t o t h e children. I n t h e early days of C h r i s t i a n i t y it was c u s t o m a r y t o repeat the Psalms fifty times w i t h genuflections. Simple f o l k loved t o i m i t a t e those w h o t h e y believed were of a higher r a n k . T h e y could n o t in their daily tasks find t i m e or occasion t o recite t h e Psalms, so over and over t h e y repeated t h e first p a r t of t h e H a i l Mary, w h i c h t h e y did n o t t h i n k of as prayer in t h e w a y we do b u t as a greeting t o our Lady. T h e y spoke t o her o f t e n in this m a n n e r , n o t i n supplication b u t as an act of love. Later, d u r i n g t h e fifth c e n t u r y , when the C h u r c h f o r m a l l y declared w h a t she had always believed, t h a t t h e Blessed M o t h e r is the Mother of God, t h e second p a r t of t h e H a i l M a r y was composed. Since t h e habit of repeating the fifty salutations had been f o r m e d , i t was n a t u r a l t o repeat t h e supplication, " H o l y Mary, Mother of God, p r a y f o r us sinners, n o w and a t t h e h o u r of o u r d e a t h . " W e o f t e n use t h e expression, " s a y i n g t h e beads", w h e n we mean "saying t h e R o s a r y . " I n Anglo-Saxon t h e w o r d " b e d e " m e a n t prayer t h a t is repeated o f t e n . I n these repeated prayers t h e actual beads were used, and so it came about t h a t t h e bedes and beads became p r a c - tically synonymous. LESSON 2 T H E J O Y F U L M Y S T E R I E S I. AIMS: 1. T o give students a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of t h e J o y f u l Mys- teries. 2. T o give children an i n t r o d u c t i o n t o m e n t a l prayer. 3. T o s t r e n g t h e n t h e power of c o n c e n t r a t i o n in prayer. 4. T o deepen appreciation of knowledge already possessed by t h e students. 5. T o come t o a greater love of t h e Blessed M o t h e r t h r o u g h increased knowledge of the J o y f u l Mysteries. 12 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W e said t h a t p a r t of the devo- tion of t h e rosary consists in m e n t a l prayer or contemplation or meditation on t h e mysteries. I n t o how m a n y classes are the mysteries divided? N a m e the three classes. (Ask to have the mysteries in each class named.) W h y are the titles J o y f u l , Sor- r o w f u l , a n d Glorious given? I n o u r n e x t lesson we shall take u p the J o y f u l Mysteries. Mean- while t h i n k about them. If pos- sible find in y o u r prayer book or in some book of devotion or in y o u r c h u r c h history some i n f o r - mation on t h e mysteries. I V . S U M M A R Y : T E A C H E R W h y should w e k n o w all we can about Catholic practices? W h a t was the subject discussed in class today? N a m e t w o types of prayer used in saying t h e Rosary. W h a t is vocal prayer? W h a t is m e n t a l prayer? P U P I L I n t o three classes. J o y f u l , S o r r o w f u l , and Glorious. J o y f u l because of t h e h a p p y events in the l i f e of o u r Lord. S o r r o w f u l because of t h e s u f - ferings of o u r Lord. Glorious f o r t h e t r i u m p h of o u r Lord. P U P I L I n order t o have a better u n d e r - s t a n d i n g and a greater apprecia- tion of o u r devotions. T o be prepared t o answer ques- tions p u t t o us b y others w h e t h e r Catholic or n o n - C a t h o l i c . T h e devotion called t h e Rosary. 13 A ROSARY PROJECT II. P R E P A R A T I O N : T E A C H E R P U P I L W h a t t w o types of prayer are used in saying the Rosary? N a m e some vocal prayers. I n f o r m a l vocal prayer is t h a t W h a t do we mean by i n f o r m a l in w h i c h we use our o w n words prayer? r a t h e r t h a n set words like t h e H a i l Mary, O u r Father, etc. If t h e Blessed Mother were t o e n t e r the room where you were all alone, a t first you would be startled b y her radiance, her loveliness, her c h a r m . Y o u w o u l d t h i n k , " H o w b e a u t i f u l she is!" A f t e r t h e first t r e m b l i n g of delight, and perhaps a little f e a r and a sense of unworthiness,' you m i g h t look again and t h i n k , " H o w holy she is! H o w good she is!" T h e n you m i g h t notice the gentleness and kindness in her face, and all y o u r fears w o u l d vanish. Y o u would approach her, invite her t o stay awhile. As confidence increased and y o u f e l t sure t h a t all t h a t concerned you was of great interest t o her, you would d r a w nearer, and her smile would invite you t o speak. All y o u r joy a t seeing her, y o u r troubles, sorrows, anxieties w o u l d p o u r o u t t o her. She w o u l d listen lovingly t o all you had t o say, and somehow you w o u l d be certain of her help. This l i f t i n g u p of y o u r heart and m i n d t o t h e Blessed Mother would be m e n t a l prayer or contemplation. T E A C H E R P U P I L H o w is m e n t a l prayer used in T h i n k i n g or m e d i t a t i n g on the the Rosary? mysteries. III. P R E S E N T A T I O N : T E A C H E R P U P I L T o d a y we are going t o t h i n k about the J o y f u l Mysteries, our first step in m e n t a l prayer. N a m e the J o y f u l Mysteries. (Let one pupil write them on the board in column form. Note the spelling and capitalization.) 14 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W r i t e t h e first J o y f u l Mystery, t h e A n n u n c i a t i o n , on a separate panel. W h a t does t h e w o r d " A n n u n - c i a t i o n " mean? W h e n you hear the w o r d " A n - n u n c i a t i o n , " w h a t p i c t u r e comes t o y o u r mind? Exposition by the teacher: P U P I L A message. A c t of delivering a message. A c t of a n n o u n c i n g or telling. (Teacher may accept any meaning which shows that the student has the correct idea.) T h e Blessed M o t h e r is kneeling in prayer in her room. Suddenly a b r i g h t l i g h t appears and the Angel Gabriel speaks, telling the Blessed V i r g i n t h a t she is t o be t h e M o t h e r of God. (This is a probable answer. However, if no clear statement is given, the teach- er should give one and should amplify.) For a long t i m e t h e Jewish people had waited f o r a Redeemer t o come. E a c h new baby was welcomed w i t h t h e hope t h a t it m i g h t be t h e promised child. E v e r y Jewish maiden hoped t h a t t h e I n f a n t Christ m i g h t be sent t o her. T h e Blessed V i r g i n in her i n f a n c y had been dedicated t o God in the Temple. She had become very holy, and so was especially prepared b y God's grace t o receive t h e Christ Child. Of course, she was too h u m b l e t o t h i n k herself w o r t h y of so high an honor. W h e n she was j u s t a very y o u n g w o m a n , she was married to Saint Joseph, a poor b u t holy m a n of t h e house of D a v i d . T h e y lived quietly in t h e little t o w n of N a z a r e t h in Galilee. M a r y had been most f a i t h f u l in her observance of all t h e laws of t h e Jewish religion, w h i c h was t h e n t h e t r u e religion. She spent a p o r t i o n of each day in prayer, as she had learned t o do w h e n only a small child in t h e Temple. O n e day, while her heart and m i n d were l i f t e d u p t o God in prayer, she was startled b y the voice of an angel, w h o said, " H a i l , f u l l of grace, t h e Lord is w i t h thee; blessed a r t t h o u a m o n g w o m e n " — t h e first words of t h e prayer w h i c h w e call t h e H a i l Mary. 15 A ROSARY PROJECT Imagine her surprise at this heavenly greeting and the m o m e n - t a r y f e a r she experienced. B u t the angel continued, " F e a r n o t , M a r y ; f o r t h o u hast f o u n d f a v o r w i t h G o d . " Gabriel w e n t oh t o tell her t h a t she was chosen t o be the M o t h e r of Christ, t h e M o t h e r of God, t h a t the H o l y Ghost would come upon her and the power of the Most H i g h overshadow her. As soon as t h e Blessed Virgin realized w h a t the angel m e a n t by his message, she knew t h a t God had indeed selected her above all others f o r this most sacred mission. H u m b l y she bowed assent, saying, "Be- hold t h e handmaid of the Lord. Be it done u n t o m e according t o t h y w o r d ; " Immediately t h e conception of t h e I n f a n t Savior took place. I n m a n y books dealing w i t h t h e life of our Lady, t h e sonorous, rich L a t i n words, " F i a t m i h i secundum v e r b u m t u u m , " m e a n i n g "Be it done u n t o m e according t o t h y w o r d , " are f o u n d . Imagine t h e great joy M a r y m u s t have f e l t as she t h o u g h t , over and over, " T h e C h r i s t - C h i l d is c o m i n g t o me! T h e C h r i s t - C h i l d is coming t o me! H e will be m y very o w n ! " As w e p i c t u r e t h e scene f o r o u r first decade while w e say the H a i l Marys, we are really m e d i t a t i n g or c o n t e m p l a t i n g . O u r hearts w a r m towards our Blessed Lady as w e t h i n k of her great holiness, and w e beg t o be more holy too. N o w we are p r a y i n g mentally. J u s t t h e wish t o be a l i t t l e more like her is a bit of m e n t a l prayer. (The teacher lists points under the title "The Annunciation" as the children give them.) 1. Preparation of the 'Blessed Virgin f o r t h e great blessing— previous holiness. 2. T h e Blessed Virgin a t prayer. 3. T h e Angelic Salutation or H a i l Mary. •4. Mary's answer—acceptance of God's Will. Read St. Luke, C h a p t e r I, verses 26-3 8 and verses 39-57. N o t e — T e a c h e r read t o class all biblical references. List on board the c h a p t e r and verse. T E A C H E R W h a t is t h e second mystery? P U P I L T h e Visitation. 16 A ROSARY PROJECT (Teacher lists points.) 1. Elizabeth, cousin of our Lady, had been promised t h e baby J o h n . 2. O u r Lady desires t o c o n g r a t u l a t e Elizabeth and help w i t h household t a s k s — c h a r i t y . 3. T h e joyous welcome given by Elizabeth, w h o seemed t o k n o w w i t h o u t being told by M a r y t h a t she is t h e hostess of t h e M o t h e r of God. 4. Elizabeth's greeting, "Blessed a r t t h o u a m o n g w o m e n . . . " T h u s completing t h e H a i l M a r y t h a t the angel had begun. 5. T h e delight of Elizabeth t h a t M a r y w o u l d come so f a r t o help her. 6. Elizabeth's h u m i l i t y — " W h e n c e is it t o me t h a t t h e M o t h e r of m y God should come t o m e ? " N o t e : H a v e pupils memorize the Magnificat as a poem and t h e n learn t o c h a n t it. N o w let us p i c t u r e t h e t h i r d J o y f u l Mystery. T h e B i r t h of our Lord. N o t e : St. Luke, C h a p t e r II, verses 1 - 2 0 . (Here the facts are so well known that the pupils can readily give the points.) 1. T h e Son of God had n o place t o lay H i s head. N o one t o give H i m shelter. 2. Blessed V i r g i n and St. Joseph are the first worshipers of the H o l y Child. 3. Shepherds' great f a i t h and obedience t o t h e a n g e l — " L e t us go and find H i m . " 4. Mary's m a t e r n a l pride in t h e H o l y Babe. J. T h e H o l y Child's love f o r H i s m o t h e r . A stable glorified by t h e presence of t h e H o l y Family. 6. Voices of angels f o r lullaby. 17 A ROSARY PROJECT 7. J u s t as the Blessed Mother made a s o f t resting place of t h e clean s t r a w in the manger, so w e prepare o u r hearts f o r H i s c o m i n g b y p u r i t y , charity, and kindness, etc. T h e students will discover t h a t as t h e y draw upon their l a t e n t knowledge new t h o u g h t s come and devotion gradually accompanies these t h o u g h t s . Catholics say, " H a d I been in Bethlehem I w o u l d have offered the very best t o our Lady and St. Joseph. T h e H o l y Babe w o u l d have been most royally welcomed." This t h o u g h t can be developed b y the students. N o w we are ready f o r the f o u r t h J o y f u l Mystery. Read St. Luke, C h a p t e r II, verses 21-40. H a v e pupils memorize, " N u n c D i m i t t i s . " H a v e someone n a m e it, " T h e Presentation in t h e T e m p l e . " 1. T h e Babe is t a k e n t o t h e Temple in accordance w i t h t h e law of Moses—humility and obedience, even t h o u g h Joseph and M a r y k n e w t h a t t h e H o l y Child was God. 2. T h e g i f t of t u r t l e doves by the holy pair, t h e offering of the poor. 3. T h e joy of Simeon w h e n he beheld the H o l y Child. T h e joy of t h e M o t h e r mixed w i t h sadness. Simeon's prophecy, " A n d thine o w n soul a sword shall pierce." 4. O u r Lady's love f o r t h e Babe increasing w i t h each new day. T h e sorrow t h a t she m u s t have f e l t , k n o w i n g t h e suffering t h a t her Blessed Child m u s t f a c e in manhood. "What is t h e fifth J o y f u l Mystery? Read St. Luke, C h a p t e r II, verses 4 1 - J 2 . 1. Obedience t o t h e law of Moses—going t o t h e T e m p l e of Jerusalem f o r t h e Feast of t h e Pasch. 2. T h e agony of M a r y and Joseph w h e n they discovered t h e loss of the Child. 3. T h e i r great joy when t h e y f o u n d H i m safe and in t h e Temple. 18 A ROSARY PROJECT 4. T h e Blessed Mother's r e m a r k , " W e have sought y o u sor- r o w i n g , " and her Son's reply, " D i d you n o t k n o w t h a t I m u s t be about m y Father's business?" A g a i n we see joy mixed w i t h sorrow. T h e Blessed Mother's realization t h a t H e r Son m u s t , all too soon, be about H i s Father's business. 5. H e w e n t back w i t h t h e m a n d was subject t o t h e m . T h e Divine Child is obedient t o M a r y and Joseph. W h e n w e are saying the Rosary, let us t r y t o remember these points. I t is quite possible t h a t m a n y other t h o u g h t s about these mysteries will suggest themselves t o us. T h e more we t h i n k t h e greater t h e v a r i e t y will o u r t h o u g h t s possess. I V . S U M M A R Y : I n order t h a t t h e teacher m a y be sure t h a t t h e s t u d e n t s have acquired added i n f o r m a t i o n about t h e lesson, these questions will be given t o t h e class. Answers are t o be w r i t t e n b y each s t u d e n t , either as a homework lesson or d u r i n g a s t u d y period. These answers are t o be discussed in t h e n e x t lesson. 1. W h a t virtues were practiced b y t h e Blessed M o t h e r as shown in the first mystery? 2. I n w h a t w a y does t h e second m y s t e r y prove t h a t t h e Blessed M o t h e r practices c h a r i t y ? 3. H o w can w e show t h a t the Christ Child w o u l d find a wel- come were H e t o come now? 4. W h y was t h e D i v i n e Child presented t o God in the Temple? 5. W h a t promise had been made t o Simeon? W a s it fulfilled? 6. H o w did it happen t h a t t h e Boy Jesus was lost? S U G G E S T I O N S : O b t a i n f r o m library: I. The Christ Child, as told b y M a t t h e w and Luke. Made by Maud and Miska Petersham. Published b y Doubleday, D o r a n & Co., G a r d e n C i t y , N e w Y o r k (Price $ 2 . 5 0 ) . 19 A ROSARY PROJECT II. Twelfth Night, b y Sigrid Undset. (Price $1.00.) III. I n Ben-Hur, b y Wallace, there is a w e l l - w r i t t e n a c c o u n t of the N a t i v i t y . T h e first book is recommended f o r b e a u t i f u l illustrations. T h e second and t h i r d books recommended are fine f o r oral reading on t h e p a r t of t h e teacher. Secure also f o r excellent p i c t u r e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n : ( a ) The Gospel in Art, b y A . E . Bailey. ( b ) The Art of the Berlin Galleries, b y D a v i d C. Preyer. ( c ) The Work of Botticelli. Published b y Frederick W a r n e r & Co., 36 East 2 2 n d St., N e w Y o r k C i t y . LESSON 3 T H E S O R R O W F U L M Y S T E R I E S L AIMS: 1. T o help students gain a deeper knowledge of t h e S o r r o w f u l Mysteries. 2. T o increase appreciation of o u r Savior's love f o r all of us. 3. T o teach s t u d e n t s something of t h e joy of contemplation. 4. T o quicken their love of our Savior t h r o u g h a knowledge of t h e price of redemption. J. T o increase f e r v o r d u r i n g t h e recitation of t h e Rosary. I I . P R E P A R A T I O N : I n o u r last lesson on t h e Rosary w e discussed t h e early life of our Lord, H i s b i r t h , t h e Presentation in the Temple, and t h e chief inci- dents of H i s boyhood—namely, H i s presence in t h e T e m p l e a m o n g t h e doctors. 20 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R P U P I L W h a t n a m e is given t o these , mysteries? T h e J ° y f u l Mysteries. Because t h e y are j o y f u l events W h y are t h e y called j o y f u l ? in t h e l i f e of o u r Lord and of our Blessed Lady. T h e loss of t h e D i v i n e Child; Mary's three days of sorrow be- f o r e finding H i m ; her realization W h a t forecast of sadness do we t h a t her Son m u s t one day be find even in t h e J o y f u l Mysteries? about H i s Father's business. Sim- eon's prophecy is beginning t o be fulfilled. (St. Luke, C h a p t e r 2, verses 2 1 - 4 0 , o m i t t i n g verse 23.) I I I . P R E S E N T A T I O N : T E A C H E R W h a t is t h e second group of mysteries? W h y are they called s o r r o w f u l ? N a m e t h e S o r r o w f u l Mysteries. W h a t is t h e -first S o r r o w f u l Mystery? W h e n and where did this event take place? W h o accompanied H i m there? W h i c h of t h e m did H e i n v i t e to stay near H i m ? P U P I L T h e S o r r o w f u l Mysteries. Because t h e y tell of t h e suffer- ings of our Lord. (Teacher or student may write them on the blackboard, using a separate panel for each title.) T h e A g o n y in t h e Garden. O n T h u r s d a y , t h e n i g h t before o u r Savior's crucifixion and d e a t h ; in t h e garden of Gethsemane near t h e M o u n t of Olives. H i s apostles. Peter, James and J o h n . 21 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R O n w h a t other occasions were these disciples so signally favored? W h y did o u r Savior w i t h d r a w Himself f r o m H i s companions? W h a t c o m m a n d did o u r Lord give t o . H i s apostles a t this time? W h a t words did our Savior use w h i c h indicated m e n t a l suifering? H o w did the favored disciples fail their Master d u r i n g this time of anguish? . P U P I L D u r i n g the T r a n s f i g u r a t i o n . (St. Luke, C h a p t e r 9, verses 2 8 - 36. St. M a t t h e w , C h a p t e r 17, verses 1 - 1 0 . St. Mark, C h a p t e r 9, verses 1 - 1 0 . ) J u s t previous t o the T r a n s f i g - u r a t i o n Jesus questioned t h e apostles as t o t h e belief of t h e people r e g a r d i n g H i m . T h e y answered, "Some t h i n k you are Elias; others t h i n k you are Moses." T h e n H e questioned Peter, " W h o do you say I a m ? " " T h o u a r t Christ, t h e Son of t h e living G o d . " ( M a t t h e w , C h a p t e r 16, verses 13-18.) I t was a f t e r this o u t b u r s t of f a i t h t h a t Peter was made head of t h e C h u r c h . ( C o n t i n u e St. M a t t h e w , C h a p t e r 16.) H e wished t o go apart t o p r a y f o r s t r e n g t h t o f a c e t h e c o m i n g ordeal. " W a t c h ye and p r a y lest ye enter i n t o t e m p t a t i o n . " " M y soul is s o r r o w f u l even u n t o d e a t h . " T h e y slept when H i s anguish was keenest. W h a t sorrow did H e endure in H i s agony? T h e burden of the sins of m a n - k i n d ; t h e oppression of evil w h i c h was so r e p u g n a n t t o H i s holy n a t u r e . T h e knowledge t h a t in spite of H i s sufferings and death m a n y would be lost. 22 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W h a t pain did H e suffer in anticipation? W h a t prayer of o u r Savior e x - pressed H i s wish t o c o n f o r m t o t h e will of H i s heavenly Father? W h o c o m f o r t e d our Savior a f t e r this prayer? W h a t physical suffering did Jesus endure d u r i n g H i s agony? W h a t f u r t h e r sorrow was caused b y an u n f a i t h f u l apostle? W h a t was t h e real cause of t h e great anguish of o u r Lord a t this t i m e and of all the sufferings t o follow? P U P I L Being God, H e anticipated all the t o r t u r e s of the crucifixion. " F a t h e r , if t h o u w i l t , remove this chalice f r o m m e ; b u t yet n o t m y will, b u t t h i n e be d o n e . " (St. Luke, C h a p t e r 22, verse 4 2 . ) A n angel f r o m heaven. H i s sweat became as drops of blood, t r i c k l i n g d o w n u p o n the ground. T h e betrayal of Judas. T h e sins of m a n k i n d . E X P O S I T I O N : T h e disobedience of our first parents was so serious an offense t h a t it merited f o r t h e m and f o r t h e whole h u m a n race t h e loss of heaven forever. T h a t original sin and every subsequent sin had t o be expiated and atoned f o r . A n d w h a t m o u n t a i n s of evil had piled u p t h r o u g h o u t t h e centuries! B u t Jesus, o u r elder Brother, loved us too m u c h t o let us suffer t h e consequences of original sin and offered H i m - self t o H i s H e a v e n l y F a t h e r as a Redeemer f o r every single member of t h e h u m a n race. A t last H e came d o w n f r o m heaven and dwelt a m o n g us. T h e Second Person of t h e Blessed T r i n i t y became m a n , suffered and died, n o t c o n t e n t u n t i l H e had given all t h a t H e had t o give, f u l l measure pressed d o w n and r u n n i n g over. So great was H i s delight t o be w i t h t h e children of m e n t h a t on t h e last n i g h t before H e died H e i n s t i t u t e d t h e Blessed Sacrament b y w h i c h H i s presence m i g h t be perpetuated a m o n g us. A n d a f t e r this most solemn act of love had been accomplished H e took w i t h H i m H i s apostles and w e n t a short distance in a garden t o pray. U p t o this t i m e t h e sufferings of our Savior were n o t of a public n a t u r e , b u t in t h e second m y s t e r y humiliation was added. 23 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W h a t is t h e second S o r r o w f u l Mystery? W h a t does t h e w o r d scourge mean? W h a t is m e a n t b y pillar? W h y did Pilate c o m m a n d t h a t o u r Lord be scourged? W h a t offer did he make to the Jews? W h a t choice was made? W h o urged t h e people t o m a k e t h e choice? P U P I L T h e scourging at t h e pillar. T o punish severely b y lashing or whipping. I t is a c o l u m n or post t o w h i c h a person was b o u n d in order t h a t t h e lash m i g h t n o t miss its m a r k . Pilate did n o t feel convinced t h a t the divine prisoner was g u i l t y of a n y crime; y e t t h e bloodthirs- t y people w o u l d n o t be satisfied u n t i l o u r Savior was made t o s u f - f e r . (Read St. Luke, C h a p t e r 23, verses 1 - 2 4 ; St. J o h n , C h a p t e r 18, verses 2 8 - 4 0 ; C h a p t e r 19, verses 1 - 1 3 . ) Pilate did n o t w a n t t o t a k e the responsibility of c o n d e m n i n g o u r Lord and hoped t h a t some p u n i s h - m e n t less severe t h a n death w o u l d serve t o s a t i s f y t h e a n g r y mob. H e c o m m a n d e d t h a t Jesus be scourged. T h e piteous spectacle of t h e Sacred Body t o r n and bleeding did n o t move t h e s t o n y hearts of t h e people. Pilate made one more a t t e m p t t o save o u r Lord f r o m a s h a m e f u l death. H e presented f o r their choice Jesus and Barabbas and asked w h i c h one t h e y wished released. Barabbas. T h e high priests. (St. M a r k , C h a p t e r 15, verses 6 - 1 1 . ) As w e read t h e gospels w h i c h relate t h e passion of o u r Lord, we 24 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R P U P I L learn t h a t t h e high priests were the instigators of t h e u n j u s t trial and condemnation. B u t w h o else was really re- sponsible f o r these d r e a d f u l s u f - W e were, because of o u r sins, fering: E X P O S I T I O N : H i s t o r y tells us t h a t scourging practiced b y t h e people of t h a t ' t i m e was a most terrible p u n i s h m e n t . H e a v y thongs w i t h m e t a l tips were used t o lash t h e body of t h e condemned. T h e scriptural phrase, " H e was bruised f o r o u r offenses", has very deep significance. W e m u s t remember t h a t an added i n d i g n i t y was suffered by our Lord when, before t h e scourging, H e was stripped of H i s g a r m e n t s and H i s Sacred Body exposed t o the v u l g a r gaze of t h e populace. T h e n H i s hands and feet were b o u n d w i t h heavy cords as if H e were a c o m m o n criminal. T h r o u g h o u t all t h e d r e a d f u l t o r t u r e n o t a sound of c o m - plaint did H e u t t e r . Each lash on H i s Sacred Body was endured f o r love of us. I n t h e S o r r o w f u l Mysteries w e have j u s t discussed, t w o distinct kinds of suffering compel o u r a t t e n t i o n , keen m e n t a l anguish and severe bodily t o r t u r e . W h i l e it is t r u e t h a t physical pain accompanied the m e n t a l agony, we n o t e this, t h a t in t h e first instance o u r Savior cried o u t t o H i s heavenly F a t h e r f o r c o m f o r t , b u t t h a t in the second, a l t h o u g h the lash c u t cruelly i n t o t h e Sacred Flesh and lacerated it so t h a t the t h o u g h t of it makes us shudder, H e did n o t implore help f r o m on h i g h . T E A C H E R P U P I L . . , , , D u r i n g the agony in t h e gar- C a n you t h i n k of a reason w h y d e n Q u r S a v i o r t o o k H i m s e l f t h e prayer, Let this chalice pass ^ b u r d e n o f ^ sins of m a n ; f r o m m e . . . — a prayer so indica- t Q ^ s i n g u l a r p u r i o f t h e j . tive of agony, was u t t e r e d a t this n a t u r e t h e s e s I n s m u s t h a y e b e e n time r a t h e r t h a n a t t h e scourging? r e v o k i n g i n t h e extreme. N o t e : If the teacher can draw f r o m students the t h o u g h t t h a t t o t a k e t h e blame f o r the w r o n g d o i n g of another is one of t h e most difficult trials one can undergo, there will come some glimmering of comprehension of t h e w a y o u r Lord f e l t at this time. 25 A ROSARY PROJECT This question m a y elicit t h e t h o u g h t : H o w m a n y have ever been accused of something they d i d n ' t do? T h a t has been a c o m m o n experience. H o w r e s e n t f u l we f e l t a t the p u n i s h m e n t . But t h e pain of t h e p u n i s h m e n t was n o t so b i t t e r as t h e pain of suffering a false accusation, especially if t h e evil charge against us were s h a m e f u l , something o u r whole n a t u r e revolted against, something t h a t urged us t o prove o u r innocence. W e c a n p i c t u r e t o some e x t e n t h o w o u r Savior m u s t have shuddered as H e took upon Himself t h e w e i g h t of o u r sins. T E A C H E R N o w , was o u r R e d e e m e r obliged t o u n d e r g o t h e passion" D o you recall any incident f o l - lowing t h e agony t h a t shows t h a t o u r Lord could have prevented the c o n t i n u a n c e of H i s passion had H e chosen t o do so? W h y , t h e n , if o u r Lord had done enough t o w i n o u r salvation, did H e u n d e r g o all t h a t subse- q u e n t t o r t u r e ? W h a t terrible suffering and humiliation followed t h e scourg- ing? P U P I L N o . T h e I n c a r n a t i o n alone would have been adequate t o re- deem us. Indeed a n y slightest act of Christ w o u l d have sufficed t o gain salvation f o r us. St. M a t t h e w , C h a p t e r 26, verses 50-54. " T h i n k e s t t h o u t h a t I c a n - n o t . . . " W h e n t h e rabble laid hands on Jesus, Peter rushed t o defend H i m , drew o u t his sword and c u t off the ear of a soldier. T h e n our Lord told Peter t h a t H i s heavenly F a t h e r w o u l d give H i m m o r e t h a n twelve legions of angels did H e b u t ask. I t was a superabundance of love f o r us, a greater love t h a n we can u n d e r s t a n d . Read Isaiah, C h a p t e r 53, especially verse 7. A f t e r t h a t most cruel scourging the sacred body had lost its u n - e a r t h l y beauty, u g l y gashes and welts disfigured it and t h e p r o p h - ecy of Isaiah was fulfilled. T h e c r o w n i n g w i t h thorns. A ROSARY PROJECT 26 T E A C H E R W h y did t h e Jews c r o w n o u r Savior w i t h thorns? W h a t added indignities did t h e y inflict on H i m because H e called Himself king? P U P I L Because H e had declared H i m - self k i n g of t h e Jews. T h i s was done in mockery. O u r Savior was clothed i n a p u r p l e g a r m e n t , purple being t h e color of royalty. A scepter, the symbol of a u t h o r i t y , was placed in H i s h a n d , t h e y k n e l t in deri- sion b e f o r e H i m and cried, " H a i l , K i n g of t h e J e w s . " Read St. M a t t h e w , C h a p t e r 27, verses 2 2 - 3 0 ; St. M a r k , C h a p t e r 15, verses 12-20. O n three d i f - f e r e n t occasions w e find Pilate re- l u c t a n t t o p r o n o u n c e sentence u p o n o u r Savior a n d even a t - t e m p t i n g t o s h i f t t h e responsi- bility t o H e r o d . (St. Luke, C h a p - t e r 23, verses 1 - 1 5 . ) Pilate loved power, and the high priests played u p o n t h a t weakness t o w i n their point. Jesus was accused of h a v - i n g stirred u p sedition a m o n g the people; b u t w h e n Pilate examined t h e evidence, he declared, " I find n o cause in this m a n . " (St. Luke, C h a p t e r 23, verses 1 - 2 4 . ) B u t t h e people f o u n d one p o i n t on w h i c h t o f o c u s Pilate's a t t e n - tion. T h e y said t h a t Jesus f o r b a d e t h e people t o give t r i b u t e t o Cae- sar and t h a t H e called Himself k i n g of t h e Jews. I t was evident t o t h e people t h a t Pilate wavered in p r o n o u n c i n g j u d g m e n t and t h a t he w o u l d have been glad t o see t h e hearts of t h e rabble s o f t - ened t o w a r d t h e divine prisoner. Fearing t h a t t h e sentence of death 27 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W h a t other reason besides t h a t of believing t h a t o u r Savior was a j u s t m a n a n d t h e v i c t i m of t h e e n v y of the high priests caused Pilate t o exonerate himself of all blame in t h e m a t t e r ? W h a t did Pilate do t o show the people t h a t t h e sentence of death was n o t his will? P U P I L w o u l d n o t be passed u p o n Jesus, t h e m o b led Pilate t o believe t h a t in releasing o u r Savior he w o u l d be disloyal t o Caesar and there- f o r e in danger of losing his gov- ernorship. (St. J o h n , C h a p t e r 19, verses 1 - 1 5 , emphasis o n verse 12.) Pilate's w i f e sent a message say- ing t h a t i n her dreams she had suffered because of o u r Lord and begged t h a t he have n o t h i n g t o do w i t h " t h a t j u s t m a n . " (St. M a t t h e w , C h a p t e r 27, verses 17- 2>--) H e washed his hands and said, " I am i n n o c e n t of the blood of this j u s t m a n . Look you t o i t . " ( M a t t h e w , C h a p t e r 27, verse 24.) N o t e : J u s t a f e w years ago t h e H o l y F a t h e r i n s t i t u t e d a new feast, t h a t of Christ t h e King, t o be celebrated o n one Sunday each O c t o b e r . I t m u s t please o u r Savior t h a t w e pay homage t o H i m as o u r k i n g and t h a t w e t r y t o m a k e some reparation f o r the cruel m o c k e r y suffered b y o u r Lord d u r i n g H i s passion. I t w o u l d seem t h a t all the agony endured b y o u r Lord so f a r in H i s passion m u s t have moved the hearts of t h e m u l t i t u d e t o compas- sion. T h e gentle hands so o f t e n raised t o heal and bless are b o u n d b y cords t h a t c u t t h e tender flesh. Eyes t h a t looked w i t h m e r c y and love are blinded b y the blood t h a t trickles f r o m t h e t h o r n - c r o w n e d brow. B u t sin coarsens t h e m i n d and soul and makes us cruel. O n c e when a Frankish k i n g had heard t h e s t o r y of t h e passion he cried o u t , " H a d I and m y F r a n k s been there, this w o u l d n o t have happened." W e like t o t h i n k t h a t w e w o u l d have said t h a t too, b u t every f a l l i n t o serious sin adds our voice t o t h e m a n y w h o cried o u t , " C r u c i f y H i m ! C r u c i f y H i m ! " W h e n Pilate asked, " W h a t shall I d o w i t h Jesus t h a t is called C h r i s t ? " they say, " L e t H i m be crucified," and so w e answer t o d a y 28 A ROSARY PROJECT when t e m p t a t i o n assails us and we give in t o i t . By our sins we imi- t a t e Pilate, w h o delivered o u r Savior t o be crucified. I n each of the gospels w e notice t h e p a r t played b y t h e h i g h priests in instigating the people t o c r y o u t against Jesus and t o chose Barabbas. T E A C H E R Is there a n y w a y i n w h i c h we m a y sometimes sin as t h e high priests did? T h e sentence has been passed. W e have come t o t h e f o u r t h mys- t e r y — T h e C a r r y i n g of t h e Cross. W h e r e was t h e place of execu- tion? W h y was this location chosen? W h a t added i n d i g n i t y was f o r c e d u p o n o u r Lord? In, spite of t h e cruel suffering of o u r Lord, w h a t incident shows H i s t h o u g h t f u l n e s s and compas- sion f o r others? (St. Luke, C h a p - ter 23, verses 2 7 - 2 8 . ) W h a t effect did the loss of blood h a v e u p o n our Savior? W h a t was offered t o o u r Lord t o assuage H i s t h i r s t ? P U P I L Yes, b y bad example. If we help others t o sin, w e are g u i l t y of great evil too. A t a place called Golgatha, where C a l v a r y is also. I t was t h e c u s t o m a r y place f o r t h e execution of criminals. H e was compelled t o c a r r y t h e cross and so bear the w e i g h t of shame publicly. H e was treated as a criminal and was f u r t h e r humiliated by h a v i n g t w o thieves f o r company. A m u l t i t u d e of people followed o u r Savior. M a n y of t h e w o m e n lamented and bewailed H i s s u f - ferings. O u r Savior, appreciative of this h u m a n s y m p a t h y , spoke gently, saying, " W e e p n o t f o r m e b u t f o r yourselves and f o r your c h i l d r e n . " H e was so weakened t h a t H e fell three times u n d e r the weight of t h e cross. A b u r n i n g t h i r s t added t o H i s sufferings. W i n e mingled w i t h m y r r h . (St. Mark, C h a p t e r 15, verse 2 3 ; Psalm 68, verses 2 1 - 2 2 . ) 29 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W h e n it was evident t h a t o u r Savior had become too weak t o c o n t i n u e c a r r y i n g t h e cross, w h a t did t h e executioners do? A t last the place of execution was reached, and n o w let us con- sider t h e f i f t h S o r r o w f u l Mystery — T h e Crucifixion. A g a i n o u r Savior is stripped of garments. H e is nailed t o t h e cross. O n w h a t day did this happen? W h y do we call t h a t day Good Friday? P U P I L T h e y called u p o n Simon t h e Cyrenean, t o help c a r r y t h e cross t h e remaining distance. O n F r i d a y — w h i c h w e call Good Friday. I t was the day on w h i c h o u r Lord b o u g h t o u r salvation—a day of great good f o r us. N o t e : O u r Savior had raised t h e dead t o life, given sight t o t h e blind, healed t h e leper, f e d t h e m u l t i t u d e s of h u n g r y , and yet there is n o record t h a t a n y of these w h o had received benefactions came f o r w a r d in H i s h o u r of anguish t o assist H i m or t o c o m f o r t H i m . T E A C H E R W h a t apostle remained near t h e cross? W h a t precious g i f t was made t o St. J o h n , and so t o us? P U P I L St. J o h n . T h e Blessed Mother. (St. J o h n , C h a p t e r 19, verses 26-27.) Again, a l t h o u g h in the very throes of death, o u r Savior takes t h o u g h t of those H e loves. Mary H i s m o t h e r is confided t o St. J o h n and w e are confided t o her. ( I t w o u l d be effective at this time, perhaps d u r i n g t h e music period, t o give t h e poem called " A n O l d Legend," b y Florence Hoare, w h i c h is set t o music by Tschaikowsky. I t has devotional appeal w i t h - o u t being too sentimental. T h e music is in a m i n o r key and conducive t o a spirit of c o n t r i t i o n . A copy of t h e words and music m a y be f o u n d in t h e Laurel Music Reader, Special Edition, Birchard and C o m - pany, Boston, Massachusetts.) 30 A ROSARY PROJECT Suggested music: "Before t h e C r u c i f i x , " b y La Forge; " I m p r o p e r - i u m , " b y W i t t . For chorus w o r k : "Seven Last W o r d s , " b y Dubois. T h e " S t a b a t M a t e r " and " O F a i t h f u l Cross," b y Rev. J , G. H a c k e r , S. J . I V : S U M M A R Y : T E A C H E R P U P I L W h a t mysteries did w e c o n t e m - ^ S o r r Q w f u l M t e r i e s . plate today? W h i c h of t h e m do y o u t h i n k reveals the keenest of our Lord's suffering? (Answer will vary ac- cording to temperament of indi- viduals.) LESSON 4 T H E G L O R I O U S M Y S T E R I E S I. A I M S : I'. T o give a broader knowledge of the Glorious Mysteries. 2. T o teach how t o meditate on these Mysteries while saying t h e Rosary. 3. T o deepen an appreciation of t h e value of these mysteries in t h a t t h e y increase our hope of f u t u r e glory. 4. T o i n c u l c a t e devotion t o t h e H o l y Ghost, t h e C o m f o r t e r and Inspirer. 5. T o give a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the intercessory power of t h e Blessed M o t h e r as Queen of H e a v e n . 31 A ROSARY PROJECT II. A P P R O A C H : T E A C H E R T o d a y we shall learn h o w t o m e d i t a t e on another g r o u p of the mysteries of t h e Rosary. W h a t t w o groups have we con- sidered? W h i c h g r o u p deals w i t h t h e early p a r t of O u r Lord's life? W h a t g r o u p deals w i t h the Pas- sion of o u r Savior? N a m e a n o t h e r g r o u p of mys- teries. W h a t are the Glorious Mys- teries? (Teacher may write these on the blackboard or have a pupil do so.) W h o took charge of t h e burial? (Teacher should supplement pu- pil's answer.) P U P I L T h e J o y f u l and t h e S o r r o w f u l Mysteries. T h e J o y f u l Mysteries. T h e S o r r o w f u l Mysteries. T h e Glorious Mysteries. Joseph of A r i m a t h e a . Joseph of Arimathea had been secretly a follower of o u r Lord. H e was a very rich and influential m a n ; so it was easy f o r h i m t o get permission t o t a k e charge of our Savior's body. As it was c u s t o m a r y in those days a m o n g t h e Jews t o embalm t h e body w i t h spices and t o w r a p it in clean linens, Joseph prepared the body of o u r Lord accord- ingly. H e gave his o w n new m o n u m e n t as a burial place f o r our Savior. P U P I L O u r Savior and Mother were poor. t h e Blessed T E A C H E R H o w did it happen t h a t our Lord d i d n ' t have a sepulcher of H i s o w n ? (Teacher should sup- plement answer.) I t was in t r u t h said, " T h e Son of M a n had n o t a place t o lay H i s h e a d . " This was so in death as well as in life. If Joseph of A r i - mathea had n o t offered t h e use of his m o n u m e n t , o u r Lord's body 32 A ROSARY PROJECT w o u l d have been buried in a p o t t e r ' s field—a place provided f o r the poor. This was one i g n o m i n y w h i c h t h e Son of M a n was spared. H i s final resting place had been h e w n f r o m living rock. N o o t h e r body had ever occupied it. T E A C H E R W h a t p r e c a u t i o n was t a k e n t o m a k e sure t h a t o u r Lord was really dead? W h a t was done w i t h t h e bodies of the t w o thieves? P U P I L O n e of t h e soldiers pierced the sacred side w i t h a lance and f r o m the w o u n d flowed blood and w a t e r . This indicated a r u p t u r e of t h e heart. I t can be t r u l y said t h a t t h e Son of God died of a broken heart. T h e bones of t h e legs were broken t o hasten d e a t h ; f o r t h e Jews did n o t w a n t t h e bodies of the crucified t o remain on t h e crosses over t h e Sabbath day. Teacher's note: N i c o d e m u s was also secretly a follower of O u r Lord. Y o u remember t h a t he b r o u g h t one h u n d r e d w e i g h t of spices w i t h w h i c h t o embalm t h e sacred body. A f t e r this t h e t o m b was sealed in such a w a y as t o exclude all air. If o u r Lord had n o t really died on t h e cross, H e w o u l d have died f r o m suffocation in t h e sepulcher. T E A C H E R P U P I L I t is t h e basic t h o u g h t u n d e r - lying t h e Resurrection. T h e m i r - acle u p o n w h i c h o u r f a i t h rests is t h e Resurrection of C h r i s t . Jesus had declared, " D e s t r o y this t e m - W h y is it necessary f o r us t o pie and in three days I shall build p r o v e t h a t Christ really died? it u p . " T h e Resurrection proved t h a t H e was t r u l y God and t h a t H i s promises would be fulfilled. U p o n this great t r u t h lies o u r belief in t h e resurrection of o u r o w n bodies. 33 A ROSARY PROJECT P U P I L M a r y Magdalene and her c o m - panion wished t o anoint t h e body of o u r Lord as a final a c t of love. M a r y was p e r t u r b e d , wondering how it w o u l d be possible t o roll away the ponderous stone w h i c h helped keep t h e sepulcher closed. As she approached, she saw t h a t the stone had already been re- moved and the seal placed upon the sepulcher had been broken. T h e t o m b was e m p t y a n d she cried, " T h e y h a v e t a k e n m y Mas- ter away and I k n o w n o t where they have laid H i m . " T h e r e u p o n a figure of a y o u n g m a n clothed in w h i t e and shining like the sun appeared and spoke t o her. (Read f r o m the Sacred Scripture the a c c o u n t of t h e Resurrection in St. J o h n , C h a p t e r X X , verses 1-28, and St. Luke, C h a p t e r X X I V , verses 1 - 1 2 . ) T E A C H E R P U P I L H o w l o n g did our Savior re- main on earth a f t e r H e arose f r o m the dead? W h a t do you t h i n k H e did d u r - i n g t h a t time? Yes, H e visited the Apostles and t a u g h t t h e m m a n y things he wished t h e m t o k n o w . (Read aloud St. J o h n , C h a p t e r 21, t o 2 5 t h verse.) A f t e r t h e Resurrection w h a t was the n e x t great mystery? T E A C H E R H o w was t h e f a c t of O u r Sav- ior's Resurrection discovered? F o r t y days. H e probably spent m u c h of the time w i t h t h e Blessed Mother and H i s disciples. T h e Ascension. 34 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R P U P I L H o w long a f t e r t h e Resurrec- tion did this take place? F o r t y days. D o you k n o w where this event j n g e t j l a n y took place? D o you remember any promises our Savior m a d e t o t h e Apostles " I f you ask a n y t h i n g in m y d u r i n g t h e days preceding H i s name, t h a t will I d o . " passion? Let us read C h a p t e r 14, St. J o h n . W e learn t h a t our Savior told the disciples H e was going away t o prepare a place f o r t h e m . H e spoke of H i s death, of H i s resurrection, arid t h e n there is a foretelling of H i s ascension. W h o were present w h e n Jesus T h e Blessed M o t h e r and t h e ascended i n t o heaven? Apostles. As onlookers d u r i n g the d r e a d f u l scenes of t h e passion, our hearts were l i f t e d u p t o o u r D i v i n e Redeemer. W e were moved t o over- w h e l m i n g sorrow a t H i s agony and death. N o w the Resurrection has been accomplished and w e share t h e blessed companionship of Jesus, H i s holy Mother and the beloved disciples. W e listen e n t r a n c e d t o the heavenly words w h i c h flow f r o m H i s lips and say over and over, " S t a y w i t h us, L o r d . " O u r Savior smiles tenderly u p o n us. W e re- member t h a t once H e said, " I go t o prepare a place f o r y o u . " T h e f o r t y days have passed and H e m u s t leave us. As we gaze u p o n H i m , f e a r i n g t o t u r n o u r heads lest we miss one gentle glance, one inflec- tioii of t h a t sweet voice, o u r vision seems t o blur, a mist enfolds the beloved f o r m — I t ascends; like a cloud I t rises, higher and higher. W e are t r a n s p o r t e d b y t h e b e a u t i f u l sight; a feeling of exaltation l i f t s u p our spirits. W e c o n t i n u e t o gaze even t h o u g h all sign of our Savior has disappeared. T h e n t w o shining angels speak: " W h y stand you looking u p t o h e a v e n ? " ( A c t s of Apostles, C h a p t e r I, verses 1 - 1 0 - 11.) R e m e m b e r i n g t h a t last c o m m a n d t o remain in Jerusalem, the disciples r e t u r n t o their abode and await t h e c o m i n g of t h e Paraclete, t h e C o m f o r t e r , t h e H o l y Ghost. H o w they miss t h e presence of our Blessed Lord! M a r y is w i t h t h e m too and-she yearns t o be united w i t h her divine Son in heaven, b u t since it is t h e will of God t h a t she remain here a while longer, it is her will too. 35 A R O S A R Y P R O J E C T T E A C H E R H o w long had the Blessed Mother and the Apostles t o wait f o r the H o l y Ghost? H o w was t h a t time spent? (Teacher may explain that the Blessed Mother and the Apostles made the first no-vena at that time; also that a novena is a devotion consisting of a prayer or prayers said on nine successive days, asking for some special blessing.) W h a t other event of great im- portance took place during these nine days? W e have come t o the third Glorious Mystery. N a m e it. Where were the Apostles on this day? H o w long a f t e r the Ascension did this happen? W h a t name is given to this day? W h a t does the word Pentecost signify? H o w did the H o l y Ghost ap- pear? P U P I L N i n e days. T h e holy women and the Apos- tles spent the hours in prayer, t o be ready t o receive the H o l y Spirit. T h e eleven apostles chose M a t - thias t o take the place l e f t v a c a n t by Judas. (Read Chapter I, Acts of the Apostles, 12-26.) T h e descent of the H o l y Ghost. T h e y were gathered in one place in Jerusalem. T e n days a f t e r the Ascension. Pentecost. I t means the fiftieth day a f t e r the Resurrection. There was a sound as of a m i g h t y wind, and then there ap- peared w h a t seemed like tongues of fire which sat upon every one of them. All were filled w i t h the H o l y Ghost. 36 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W h a t effect did this have upon t h e Apostles? W h a t o t h e r result followed? P U P I L Previous t o t h e coming of the H o l y Ghost t h e y were f e a r f u l , timid men. Even Peter, w h o did t r u l y love our Savior, had denied H i m . N o w his f e a r was cast o u t . All spoke openly and bravely and w i t h t h e voice of a u t h o r i t y . T h e Apostles, speaking in their native tongue, could be u n d e r - stood by t h e Jews of other n a - tions and of other tongues. (Read C h a p t e r II, A c t s of Apostles.) J u s t before the Last Supper, o u r Savior promised t h e Apostles t h a t H e would send t h e m help, a c o m f o r t e r , one w h o w o u l d b r i n g all things t o their minds whatsoever H e had commanded. (Read C h a p - ters X I V - X V , St. J o h n . ) T h e most bounteous g i f t s of our Savior t o the Apostles were made also t o us. W e share in all H i s promises t o t h e m . T E A C H E R W h a t words tell us t h a t t h e H o l y Ghost is an inspirer? W h a t does t h e w o r d Paraclete mean? T h e n , if we do share in the g i f t s of t h e H o l y Ghost, w h a t m a y w e hope to receive f r o m H i m ? T o w h a t Person of the Blessed T r i n i t y m a y w e confidently t u r n w h e n we m u s t m a k e an i m p o r t a n t decision? P U P I L O u r Savior calls H i m t h e Spirit of T r u t h ; and again, " H e will teach y o u all t h i n g s . " ( C h a p t e r 14, verse 26, St. J o h n . ) C o m f o r t e r . Inspiration, c o m f o r t , peace. T o t h e H o l y Ghost. 37 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R Y o u remember t h e t i m i d i t y of the Apostles previous t o the com- i n g of t h e H o l y Ghost. W i t h w h a t q u a l i t y do you t h i n k t h e y were imbued on Pentecost? T o w h o m m a y we pray, t h e n , in o u r o w n need of courage? P U P I L W i t h courage. T o t h e H o l y Ghost. A t this time the words of the Vent Creator Spiritus b o t h in E n g - lish and Latin, o u g h t t o f o r m p a r t of the m o r n i n g exercises. T h e h y m n m i g h t be s u n g . . T h e music should be t h a t approved by the C h u r c h , preferably Gregorian c h a n t . Allow pupils w h o have artistic ability t o d r a w scenes on the blackboard. H y m n s r e f e r r i n g t o t h e Resurrection f o u n d in t h e R o m a n H y m n a l m i g h t well be t a u g h t here, preferably in Latin. T h e Terra tremuit is especially fine. W e have been conscious all d u r i n g the s t u d y of t h e previous mysteries of t h e v e r y close union existing between t h e Blessed Mother and o u r Savior. This leads us t o the F o u r t h Glorious Mystery. T E A C H E R W h a t is t h e F o u r t h Glorious Mystery? W h a t does t h e word "assump- t i o n " mean? W h a t is t h e teaching of t h e C h u r c h on the f a c t of t h e As- sumption? P U P I L T h e Assumption of our Lady. I t is t h e act of being taken u p bodily i n t o heaven. F r o m Apostolic times it has been believed t h a t the Blessed Mother died in f u l f i l l m e n t of the edict passed upon all the h u m a n race, namely, death, b u t her body was n o t subject t o c o r r u p t i o n , since it had been t h e tabernacle of t h e Son of God. A c t u a l separation of body and soul took place, b u t t h e stain of original sin had never violated the p u r i t y of her soul, and as a con- 38 A ROSARY PROJECT T E A C H E R W h e r e do we secure f o u n d a t i o n f o r t h e beliefs of our religion? W h a t is m e a n t b y tradition? I n w h a t w a y can w e test the a c c u r a c y of tradition? P U P I L sequence her flesh was n o t subject t o dissolution or decomposition. F u r t h e r m o r e t h e body of our Lady had t r u l y f u r n i s h e d the physical elements necessary f o r t h e I n c a r - nation and so possessed a sacred- ness second only t o the body of C h r i s t . I t w o u l d be unseemly t h a t Mary's body should be sub- ject t o c o r r u p t i o n . F r o m t h e sacred Scriptures and f r o m t r a d i t i o n . T h e deposit of f a i t h w h i c h was handed d o w n f r o m t h e Apostles t o succeeding generations. I t con- tains m a n y t r u t h s w h i c h were n o t recorded. D u r i n g the t i m e our Lord spent on e a r t h a f t e r H i s resurrection H e t a u g h t so m a n y things t o t h e Apostles (St. J o h n says, C h a p t e r X X I , verse 2 5 ) t h a t innumerable books w o u l d be needed in w h i c h t o inscribe all t h e t r u t h s w h i c h Christ had re- vealed t o t h e m . O u r Savior promised t h a t t h e H o l y Ghost w o u l d teach the Apostles, and of course their suc- cessors, all t r u t h s . H e declared t h a t H e Himself w o u l d be w i t h the C h u r c h and t h a t the gates of hell should n o t prevail against it. T h e n , f r o m earliest times, c h u r c h - es of other rites t h a n t h e R o m a n , f o r example t h e Greek, have cele- brated feasts w h i c h are n o t m e n - tioned in the Scripture, and a m o n g t h e m is t h a t of t h e As- sumption. 39 A ROSARY PROJECT I n the ages w h e n f a i t h was strongest, pictorial representations of t r u t h s were very c o m m o n . Few people could read; yet t h e y knew and understood t h e doctrines of the C h u r c h . Pictures of the Assump- tion appear in old missals, on walls of chapels, and on canvasses. (Read f r o m the Daily Missal, D o n Gasper Lefebure, O . S. B., Page 1585.) Pope Leo I V , in 847, i n s t i t u t e d the O c t a v e . T h e feast of t h e A s s u m p t i o n was solemnized in the East a t the end of the sixth cen- t u r y , and in t h e seventh c e n t u r y it was solemnized in Rome. Reflection: W e can well imagine t h a t e a r t h held little f o r our Lady a f t e r t h e ascension of her Son and t h a t her one desire was t o be reunited w i t h H i m . O n c e our Savior said, " I will n o t leave you o r p h a n s , " and promised the H o l y Ghost. But H e also l e f t H i s Blessed M o t h e r w i t h St. J&hn and t h e other disciples, and her sweet presence m u s t have been a holy c o m f o r t t o t h e m . I n m o m e n t s of discourage- m e n t her g e n t j e words m u s t indeed have spurred t h e m on in their apostolic labors. O u r Lady loved t h e m dearly. She saw all their needs and pleaded f o r them, especially when she came i n t o her k i n g d o m as Queen of Heaven. W h a t a royal welcome was hers when, a f t e r her death, her whole being, body and soul, became transfigured and was assumed i n t o heaven! H o w her Son greeted her! T h e H o l y Ghost, her t r u e spouse, received her and t h e H e a v e n l y F a t h e r glorified her. Angel choruses sang h y m n s of praise, and the glory of heaven was increased. She is n o longer a S o r r o w f u l Mother b u t our Lady of V i c t o r y . N o w we rejoice in her t r i u m p h in the F i f t h Glorious Mystery. T E A C H E R W h a t is the F i f t h Mystery? Glorious W h a t is the m e a n i n g of cor- onation? P U P I L T h e Coronation of the Blessed Mother. I t is t h e act of crowning. I n e a r t h l y courts, w h e n a k i n g or queen assumes t h e d i g n i t y of kingship or queenship and becomes sovereign ruler, an elaborate cere- m o n y takes place d u r i n g w h i c h t h e royal crowns are placed on the heads of the rulers. By this act all k n o w t h a t t h e crowned persons have a u t h o r i t y t o r u l e and are entitled t o respect and obedi- ence. 40 A ROSARY PROJECT If "eye h a t h n o t seen nor ear heard t h e things t h a t God h a t h prepared f o r those t h a t love H i m , " we can have only a hazy p i c t u r e of t h e t r i u m p h of O u r Lady and of H e r u n u t t e r a b l e joy. T E A C H E R P U P I L Because t h e m o t h e r of our Savior is o u r mother, too, and whatever touches her closely is of great i m p o r t a n c e t o us. W e rejoice w i t h her in her gladness as we commiserate w i t h her in her sorrows on earth. Jesus Himself honors her and loves her above all o t h e r creatures. I t pleases H i m when w e p a y homage t o her, the W h y do w e c o n t e m p l a t e this Q u e e n o f H e ™ e n - A n d s i n , c e t f | particular mystery? l o v e s u s a n d h o l d s , s o f x a l t e d a position, w e remember her great intercessory power. W e have i n - deed a f r i e n d a t c o u r t w h o will plead f o r us. O u r Lady w a n t s us t o be saved and awaits us smil- ingly. I t is o u r blessed privilege t o be presented t o her one day b e f o r e t h e t h r o n e of God. W e shall join the host of angels sing- ing, " H o l y , holy, holy, Lord, God of H o s t s . " S U M M A R Y : U p o n w h i c h of the Glorious Mysteries rests t h e f o u n d a t i o n of our f a i t h ? W h y did t h e H o l y Ghost descend u p o n the Apostles? By w h a t a u t h o r i t y do we declare o u r belief in t h e Assumption of our Blessed Mother? N o t e : T h e questions in t h e s u m m a r y m a y be given as assign- ments f o r research w o r k . APPENDIX 1 A Little More About Meditation T o m a k e t h e saying of t h e Rosary more f r u i t f u l , and t o make contemplation easier, it is suggested t h a t occasionally, outside t h e actual saying of t h e Rosary, w e deliberately t h i n k over t h e various mysteries in a more or less f o r m a l way. W e c a n n o t do this so well while actually saying t h e Rosary. T h e n it is t h a t we wish t o use t h e f r u i t of t h e meditation already made. T h e m i n d has gone over the m a t t e r well, easily recalls i t ; the heart has more of an o p p o r t u n i t y t o appreciate t h e scene we are contemplating. Suppose t h a t we were t o consider t h e A n n u n c i a t i o n , the first of t h e J o y f u l Mysteries. O u r procedure m i g h t be about as follows: 1. Read t h e Scriptural a c c o u n t of t h e A n n u n c i a t i o n in t h e first c h a p t e r of St. Luke's gospel. 2. T r y t o f o r m a definite m e n t a l p i c t u r e of t h e l i t t l e cottage, t h e very room, t h e Blessed Virgin a t prayer, t h e Angel Gabriel appearing t o her. 3. Ask God f o r an increase of knowledge and love of o u r Lord and H i s Blessed Mother, so t h a t we m a y be a b i t closer t o t h e m in all o u r actions. 4. T h e n w e t r y t o make o u r o w n contemplation, seeing t h e P E R S O N S concerned; the Blessed V i r g i n and the angel, par- t i c u l a r l y appreciating w h o they are, w h a t t h e y have done b e f o r e this, w h a t there was about t h e Blessed V i r g i n M a r y t h a t pleased God. J . T h e n , listening t o t h e W O R D S , j u s t as if we were right there ourselves, hear t h e conversation, t h e w a y t h e y speak, their wonder, or joy, or excitement, t r y i n g always t o realize prayer- f u l l y w h a t it is all about. 6. T h e n observe t h e A C T I O N S of those concerned, t h e posture of prayer, t h e modesty, t h e h u m i l i t y , reverence, t h e look of w o n d e r a t t h e appearance of t h e angel, a n y gestures, or w h a t - ever else w e m a y k n o w or m a y reasonably p i c t u r e t o have gone on. W e could spend considerable t i m e on each mystery. W e see how t o recall t h e scene and make it vivid and clear. T h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g grasps partially t h e f u l l significance of t h e scene; t h e salutation; the h u m i l i t y of t h e Blessed V i r g i n ; her ready acceptance of t h e divine plan, once she is assured t h a t she can keep her virginal p u r i t y ; t h e operation of t h e ~Holy G h o s t ; t h e awesomeness of i t all; o u r Savior made m a n ; and such kindred t h o u g h t s . A b o v e all we should strive f o r a p r a y e r f u l realization of w h a t this means t o us. I t is, so t o speak, the heart using all these faculties t h a t the whole m a n m a y love God more. APPENDIX 2 The Use of Art T h e proposed lessons on the mysteries of the Rosary can bè made m u c h morè profitable b y the use of pictures representing^ the scenes of t h e mysteries as painted by f a m o u s artists. T i t i a n , Delia Robbia, Murillo, Corregip, .Rubens,, Velasquez, Luini, Fra Angelico are just a f e w of t h e g r e a t ' masters w h o have done remarkably fine w o r k in depicting religious subjects. .1. Students will begin research w o r k in an easy and d e l i g h t f u l , m a n n e r . 2. T h e y will become accustomed t o helping themselves in their . o w n m e n t a l development. 3. A n o t h e r ? a v e n u e t o the m i n d will be opened u p b y means of visualization. 4. A s t u d y of t h e great masters will help f o r m the j u d g m e n t f o r artistic appreciation and c u l t i v a t e thé taste f o r w h a t is noble in conception and b e a u t i f u l in representation. 5. T h e r e will be an increase in the spirit of reyerënçe f o r the t r u t h s of o u r priceless f a i t h . J .«. •» 6. A greater love f o r o u r Lord and H i s Blessed Mother will rpsult. 7. T h e m i n d , being filled w i t h w h a t is b e a u t i f u l , will have little ' " : * room f o r t h a t "which is ugly. Excellent colored p r i n t s can be obtained f r o m t h e .following sources: T h e Queen's W o r k , 3742 W e s t Pine Blvd.. St. Louis, Mo. A r t Extension Society, 65 East 56th St., N e w Y o r k C i t y Elson A r t Publishing Co., Belmont, Mass. T h e Medici Prints, Foster Brothers, 4 P a r k Square, Boston, Mass.' F. W . O w e n Publishing Co., Dansville, N e w Y o r k P e r r y P i c t u r e Co., Maiden, Mass. S t u d e n t s will enjoy h a v i n g small p r i n t s or even colored post cards, w h i c h can be obtained f r o m the Metropolitan Museum of A r t , N e w Y o r k C i t y . A n o t e book can be made of manila paper. Let each s t u d e n t m o u n t a p i c t u r e on the upper half of t h e page and u n d e r n e a t h it paste t w o neatly w r i t t e n paragraphs, one giving the name of t h e artist, t h e location of t h e original, w h a t t h e artist is t r y i n g t o tell and h o w he achieves his purpose; t h e second giving the points learned about the p a r t i c u l a r m y s t e r y represented. I t w o u l d be well t o encourage students t o ' s t u d y plain block lettering t o use f o r this work. Alphabet books can be secured a t the public library. Colored ink would add t o t h e attractiveness df t h e page- Since a t least nine different artists have depicted the story of the first H o l y N i g h t , or, as it is sometimes called, T h e N a t i v i t y , no t w o students need have p i c t u r e books alike. Learning t h e prayers in L a t i n is t o be highly commended. I t is t r u l y awe-inspiring t o hear a whole congregation c h a n t i n g t h e Credo in a European cathedral or in t h e solemn procession at Lourdes. Since L a t i n is t h e language of t h e C h u r c h and t h e m e d i u m by w h i c h the H o l y F a t h e r speaks t o the whole world, it is all the more desirable t h a t Catholics should have f a m i l i a r i t y w i t h it. Memorization t h r o u g h singing is the easiest possible way t o learn the f o r m a l vocal prayers of t h e Rosary in Latin. F u r t h e r m o r e , the p u r e and sonorous tone of t h e vowel sounds will assist t h e singer in acquiring a fine voice p r o d u c t i o n and a clear, distinct enunciation, n o t only in singing b u t ' in speaking. A n old F r e n c h priest once declared, " H e w h o sings, prays t w i c e . " T h e R o m a n h y m n a l and t h e St. Gregory h y m n a l contain excellent examples of c h u r c h music. T h e Pius X School of Liturgical Music, College of T h e Sacred H e a r t , 133rd Street and C o n v e n t Avenue, N e w Y o r k C i t y , c a n give i n f o r m a t i o n about t h e correct t y p e of music t o be used f o r religious purposes. Excellent records of Gregorian c h a n t as s u n g b y the Benedictine Monks of Solemnes c a n now be obtained f o r victrolas. F r e q u e n t play- ing of these records will t r a i n t h e ear t o an appreciation of rich, b e a u t i f u l , flowing sound and convince t h e s t u d e n t of t h e rightness of this k i n d of s e t t i n g f o r t h e prayers of t h e C h u r c h . Since most people like t h e music w h i c h they learn in childhood, t h e taste f o r fine music should be c u l t i v a t e d at an early age. T h e h u m a n voice is one of God's greatest g i f t s and should be used t o H i s honor and glory. T o make it raucous b y singing w r e t c h e d music and b y t h e improper placing of tone is t o defeat its purpose and t o abuse a noble g i f t . A r t should be t h e handmaid of religion. I t was t h r o u g h a r t in painting, sculpture, mosaics, stained glass, architecture, poetry, drama and l i t u r g y t h a t the C h u r c h t a u g h t her children so effectively before t h e a d v e n t of t h e p r i n t i n g press. I t fulfilled a noble purpose. I t should c o n t i n u e t o do so. T h r o u g h o u t t h e lessons, references t o H o l y Scripture have f r e - q u e n t l y been made. If possible, every s t u d e n t should o w n a copy of t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t . Cheap copies are obtainable, b u t w e do n o t recommend t h e m . Since t h e book is expected t o give long, h a r d service, the best one can afford should be secured. T h e w r i t t e n w o r d of God deserves a place of b e a u t y as well as of permanency. Graduates asso- ciate tender memories w i t h t h e books t h e y have used d u r i n g their school days. This, in addition t o the reverence w e should h a v e f o r t h e w o r d of God, will i n d u c e s t u d e n t s t o purchase a Bible t h a t is b e a u t i f u l in s t r u c t u r e and w i t h p r i n t t h a t is easy t o read. If every s t u d e n t c a n have a Bible it w o u l d be most advantageous t o give t h e references mentioned in t h e lessons and let t h e class read t h e m . T h i s w o u l d be f a r more beneficial t h a n f o r t h e teacher alone I t o do t h e reading. O f course, f o r t h e teacher t o read aloud while t h e class is reading silently will have t h e advantage of using t w o avenues of approach t o t h e m i n d , hearing and sight. E v e r y m e d i u m t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e soul can be b r o u g h t closer t o God and H i s holy m o t h e r should be used. T h e C h u r c h has be- queathed t o us a rich heritage of c u l t u r e . Let us take a d v a n t a g e of it. Let noble sculpture, fine pictures and inspiring music d r a w us nearer t o heaven. APPENDIX 3 Outline for Project on the Rosary Lesson I. I n t r o d u c t i o n . Explanation of t h e beads. Difference between f o r m a l and i n f o r m a l vocal prayer. II. J o y f u l Mysteries. III. S o r r o w f u l Mysteries. I V . Glorious Mysteries. V. Proper W a y to Say the Rosary. VI. Question Box. Children b r i n g in questions. Teacher answers those which class c a n n o t explain. VII. O r a l reading of stories and poems about the Blessed Mother. T h e teacher will supply these stories and poems. T h e i r purpose is t o enkindle devotion t o t h e Blessed Mother. V I I I . Let students b r i n g in poems and stories f o u n d in m a g a - zines or anthologies in w h i c h references t o t h e Blessed Mother are reverently made. Encourage students t o get all possible i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m the public library. I n all large cities the public libraries m a i n t a i n a readers' b u r e a u w h i c h will secure books on a n y subject. T h i s service is given graciously and w i t h o u t cost. Catholic students should be encouraged t o take advantage of this service. Incidentally, they will be p a r t i c i p a t i n g in one f o r m of "Catholic A c t i o n . " Official Sodality Supplies S o d a l i t y M a n u a l s a n d B o o k l e t s E a c h P e r 100 M a n u a l ( F a t h e r G a r e s c h e ' s ) ( # 4 . 5 0 a d o z e n ) . # 0 . 5 0 # 3 3 . 0 0 S o d a l i t y R u l e s . 07 5.50 A . B. C. of S o d a l i t y O r g a n i z a t i o n 10 7 . 0 0 S e q u e l t o t h e A . B. C 10 7 . 0 0 Little O f f i c e of t h e I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n (Lots 25, # 2 . 0 0 ) 10 6.00 A n E x p l a n a t i o n of t h e S o d a l i t y O f f i c e 10 7 . 0 0 P a r i s h S o d a l i t y H e l p s .10 7 . 0 0 N u r s e s ' H a n d b o o k of S o d a l i t y O r g a n i z a t i o n 10 7 . 0 0 L e a f l e t s P e r 100 T h e S o d a l i t y of O u r L a d y ( I t s I d e a l s a n d Possibili- ties) # 1 . 0 0 H o w t o Establish a S o d a l i t y . . . 5c e a c h H o w M u c h D o Y o u L o v e O u r L a d y ? . 1.00 Is P e r 100 M e m b e r s h i p . . . # 1 . 0 0 I n v i t a t i o n 1.00 D u e 50 A c t s of C o n s e c r a t i o n 1.00 E a c h P e r 100 Little O f f i c e of t h e I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n (Lots 25c, # 2 . 0 0 ; 50 f o r # 3 . 5 0 ) # 0 . 1 0 # 6 . 0 0 R e c e p t i o n P r o g r a m s ( 5 0 c a d o z e n ) 05 . . . . M e d a l s E a c h P e r 100 A l u m i n u m — L a r g e size # 0 . 1 2 # 1 0 . 0 0 A l u m i n u m — S m a l l size .10 8.75 N e w M e d a l — B u r n i s h e d gold p l a t e o r oxidized silver, m a d e u p o n b l u e silk b a d g e o r w i t h b l u e silk c o r d .60 5 0 . 0 0 ( L o t s 25 o r m o r e , 50c e a c h ) S o d a l i t y P i n s — 1 0 - k t . b r i g h t g o l d finish 1.25 . . . . ( L o t s 10 t o 25, #1.15 e a c h ; 25 o r m o r e , # 1 . 0 0 e a c h ) J e w e l e d S o d a l i t y P i n s — 1 4 - k t . g o l d with p e a r l s a n d s a p p h i r e s ' 5 . 0 0 . . . . W i t h g u a r d a n d o n e i n i t i a l 6 . 5 0 W r i t e f o r a s a m p l e of t h e p l a i n p i n o n a p p r o v a l , with f u l l e x p l a n a t i o n of its m e a n i n g D i p l o m a s E a c h P e r 100 M e m b e r s h i p (25 t o 100, 25c e a c h ) , # 0 . 3 0 # 2 0 . 0 0 P e r 100 Be a S o d a l i s t # 0 . 4 0 A c t s of C o n s e c r a t i o n . . . . .40 O u r L a d y ' s D a t e B o o k . . . 1.50 S o d a l i t y I n d u l g e n c e s . . . .50 U n i o n of Sodalists i n P r a y e r .... cttl . .40 c P e r 100 A b s e n t e e # 1 . 0 0 The O ueen's Work Catechetical Series For Grade Schools, High Schools and Colleges 1. A n E x a m i n a t i o n of C o n s c i e n c e f o r B o y s a n d G i r l s Rev. A . J . W i l w e r d i n g , S . J . T h i s b o o k l e t is f o r c h i l d r e n o n l y . I t p r e s e n t s t h e p o i n t s f o r ex- a m i n a t i o n i n a simple, clear way, a d a p t e d to t h e c h i l d ' s m i n d . 100 f o r #2.25 5 0 0 f o r # 1 0 . 0 0 1,000 f o r # 1 8 . 0 0 2 . C h a l k T a l k s o r T e a c h i n g t h e C a t e c h i s m G r a p h i c a l l y J e r o m e F . O ' C o n n o r , S . J . , a n d W i l l i a m H a y d e n , S . J . A series t h a t e m b r a c e s t h e e n t i r e B a l t i m o r e C a t e c h i s m . P u b - lished i n f o u r p a r t s c o n t a i n i n g s u f f i c i e n t m a t t e r f o r a f o u r - semester course i n Catechism-. T h e t e a c h e r ' s e d i t i o n c o n t a i n s fifty-three d r a w i n g s simple e n o u g h f o r a n y o n e to d u p l i c a t e . A way of i m p r e s s i n g indelibly o n t h e c h i l d ' s m i n d t h e t r u t h s of t h e C a t e c h i s m . . •. vx-l. T e a c h e r ' s E d i t i o n C h i l d ' s E d i t i o n P a r t s I , I I , I I I a n d I V P a r t s I a n d I I o n l y S i n g l e c o p y # 0 . 2 0 S i n g l e c o p y #0.15 50 copies 8.00 50 copies 6.50 3. A G r a p h i c S t o r y of t h e Bible J e r o m e V . J a c o b s e n , S . J . A t h r e e - c o l o r m a p ( 2 8 x 1 2 % inches) g i v i n g t h e h i s t o r y of t h e Bible i n g r a p h s a n d e x p l a i n i n g by text t h e o r i g i n a n d d e v e l o p - m e n t of t h e m o d e r n Bible. J u s t t h e t h i n g f o r t h e r e l i g i o n class, f o r c h u r c h - h i s t o r y s t u d e n t s , f o r t h e c o n v e r t class. S i n g l e c o p y # 0 . 2 0 50 copies'. # 7 . 5 0 25 copies 4 . 0 0 100 copies . . 14.00 1 1 1 L E A F L E T S V o c a t i o n D a y 50 f o r # 1 . 0 0 100 f o r # 1 . 5 0 G r o w t h of t h e C h u r c h e s 50 f o r 1.00 100 f o r 1.50 Religions of t h e W o r l d . . . : . . . 50 f ô r 1.00 100 f o r 1.50 A P a r t i c u l a r E x a m e n 100 f o r 2.00 5 0 0 f o r 7 . 5 0 M a s s a n d B e n e d i c t i o n 100 f o r .75 S p i r i t u a l Exercises of S t . I g n a t i u s S i n g l e c o p y #0.05 100 copies # 3 . 5 0