A simple method to pray the Rosary without distractions (continued): the Sorrowful Mysteries
Dominicans of Avrille
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The world around us is moving further away from Our Lord Jesus Christ. Everywhere anti-Christian governments reject not only the laws of the Church, but even the laws of nature, because they are a constant reminder of the author of nature, our Creator and God. How can we not see the realization of Psalm 2: “The princes of the earth are gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ”? What can we do against these powers that seem to hold everything in their hands: money, the media, parliaments, armies?Well, “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil.4:13)! It pleased God to topple Goliath with a humble shepherd like David. Our “sling” is the Rosary, and the “five smooth stones taken from the river bed” (I Kings 17) are the five Mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful or Glorious) upon which we meditate each day. If we look, we’ll discover these mysteries hidden in the depths of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which is nothing less than an impetuous torrent of love for God and man.
To restore the reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ on earth, we all have something to do, a duty to perform according to each one’s state. However, there is a duty that we all have in common: the regular prayer of the Rosary. Have courage! “There is no problem, no matter how difficult, that we cannot resolve by praying the Holy Rosary” (Sister Lucy of Fatima).
Many of you have told us that you have enjoyed the meditations on the Joyful Mysteries according to the method of St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort. We continue here with the Sorrowful Mysteries, hoping that these examples will help you to compose meditations yourself using this method which is so practical and useful for dispelling distractions! (Reminder: a sentence is read before each Hail Mary.)
THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN OF OLIVES
1: On the eve of His Passion, Jesus celebrated the first Mass.2: Before leaving the world, He wanted to leave us a pledge of His love, by giving us the Eucharist.
3: Jesus, troubled in spirit, said to the Apostles: “One of you shall betray Me.”
4: St. Peter protested, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.”
5: After the Last Supper, Jesus takes Saints Peter, James and John to pray on the Mount of Olives.
6: The Apostles are not able to watch even one hour with Jesus.
7: Jesus sees all the sins for which He is going to atone through His passion; His sweat becomes as drops of blood.
8: Judas arrives and betrays Jesus through a sign of friendship.
9: The Apostles are afraid and flee in all directions.
10: Saint Peter denies Jesus three times.
THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR
1: Jesus is taken before the High Priest, where He is falsely accused, slapped and insulted.2: The Jews drag Him before Pilate, because Pilate alone can declare the death penalty.
3: The crowd demands the release of Barabbas, a murderer.
4. Pilate does not find Jesus guilty of any crime, but he orders Him to be flogged to appease the Jews.
5: The soldiers first use a whip with metal balls at the end of the strips.
6: When Jesus’ body is swollen and red, they then change to a whip topped with tiny bones that tear the skin.
7: Jesus is covered with blood from head to foot. His skin is in shreds.
8: In this way, Jesus has atoned for our sins of sensuality.
9: “Sins of the flesh send the most souls to hell.” (Our Lady of Fatima to Jacinta)
10: Lord, give us the courage to do a little penance.
THE CROWNING WITH THORNS
1: Pilate asks Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “I am King, but My kingdom is not of this world.”2: Jesus’ Kingdom “did not come from this world,” but it extends over this world.
3: Jesus is King of all creation and He has the right to be recognized as such by all men and by all governments.
4: He is King by nature, because He is the Creator; and He is King by conquest, because He has redeemed us.
5: The soldiers mock the royalty of Jesus by putting on Him a purple robe, a reed scepter, and a crown of thorns.
6: They spit on Him and beat Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
7: Jesus keeps quiet and offers His suffering for the very people who despise Him.
8: Pilate presents Jesus to the Jews: “Behold the man.”
9: The Jews shout, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
10: The high priests say: “We have no king but Caesar.”
THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
1: Jesus is condemned to death.2: Jesus takes up His cross with love.
3: Jesus falls the first time.
4: Jesus meets His Blessed Mother.
5: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross.
6: St. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
7: Jesus falls the second time.
8: Jesus consoles the women of Israel.
9: Jesus falls the third time.
10: Jesus is stripped of his garments.
THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS
1: Jesus is nailed to the Cross.2: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
3: Jesus says to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he says to the beloved disciple, “Behold your mother.”
4: “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.”
5: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”
6: “I thirst.”
7: “It is consummated.”
8: Jesus dies, saying: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.”
9: Jesus is taken down from the Cross.
10: Jesus is buried.