1. Kiss the crucifix, while holding the crucifix say:
In the name of the father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Still Holding the crucifix say the Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. On the first bead say the Our Father:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
4. On the next three beads say the Angus Dei:
a. Oh Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world
have mercy upon us.
b. Oh Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world
have mercy upon us,
c. Oh Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world
grant us Thy Peace.
5. On the chain, meditate on the first mystery and say the Trisagion:
Holy God,
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon me.
6. On the next bead, continue to meditate on the mystery and say the Our Father.
7. On the next ten beads continue to meditate on the mystery and say the Jesus Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Repeat steps 5 - 7 for each mystery.
To conclude holding the crucifix say:
I bow before the Father who made me,
I bow before the Son who saved me,
I bow before the Spirit who guides me,
In love and adoration.
I praise the name of the One on high.
I bow before the Sacred Three,
The ever One, the Holy Trinity.
In the name of the father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Kiss the crucifix.
The Mysteries
The Five Joyful Mysteries:
The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-33, 38)
The Visitation (Luke 1:39-45)
The Nativity (Luke 2:6-12)
The Presentation (Luke 2:25-32)
The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:41-50)
The Five sorrowful mysteries:
The Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:39-46)
The Scourging (Mark 15:6-15)
The Crowning with Thorns (John 19:1-8)
The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:16-23)
The Crucifixion (John 19:25-30)
The Five glorious mysteries:
The Resurrection (Mark 16:1-7)
The Ascension (Luke 24:45-53)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-7, 11)
The Communion of Saints (1 Corinthians 12:23-27)
The Heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27) ¶ 8/19/2006 12:07:00 PM 0 Comments
I told him that I was not comfortable using prayers or even praises of the Blessed Virgin while praying anyway. I told him that I thought it's benefit was as method of meditation, a calming influence when I am upset, and a help in focusing on the life of our Lord Jesus Christ through meditating on the "mysteries". I then felt I needed to confess that there is yet another reason I like to use the rosary. That secondary reason is that it tweaks the Protestants around me and confuses the Roman Catholics! This might seem petty but I think any opportunity to speak of the true gospel to these works oriented folks is a good thing.
While I have found dozens of versions of the rosary for use on line I have decided to put together one of my own, since it is a purely private devotional matter. At some point, maybe even today, I'll post what I settle on. ¶ 8/19/2006 08:15:00 AM 0 Comments
A Simple form for Devotions
Adapted from Luther’s Small Catechism
As soon as you get out of bed in the morning or before bed, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pray the Psalm for the day:
Morning 93-95 Evening 96-100
The Daily Lectionary is read:
Joshua 23:1-16
Romans 15:25-33
Matthew 27:11-23
Read the Devotion
“O God, before whose throne trumpets sound, and saints and angels sing the songs of Moses and the Lamb: Grant that we may make music to you, and proclaim your name all the days of our lives, and finally join the saints before your throne in unending praise; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit ever one God, world without end. Amen.” (Collect for St. Bernard of Clairvaux, LSB)
Ask a typical Lutheran about Saint Bernard and you may get little more than, “That’s a huge dog that rescues people in the Alps.” Maybe even a few would tell you that it’s the kind of dog that was in the kids’ film Beethoven.
Actually, Bernard was a monk, theologian, and hymn writer who contributed much to Christ’s Church. A very wise man, he was rather “Lutheran” before the Blessed Reformer was even born.
St. Bernard had a clear understanding of the Merciful Steward removing all your debts and gifting you with eternal life. He received the gift of faith, and saw that good works followed such faith. He trusted that eternal life was an amazing and merciful gift from our crucified Savior.
Bernard is perhaps best remembered among Lutherans for his superb Good Friday hymn: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.” In this simple, yet profound hymn, Bernard pours out his heart to his sacrificed Savior. Words, filled with awe and tenderness, transcend translation, and, through Bernard’s pen, we feel like witnesses to the Atonement.
Then, as he continues, he applies our Redeemer’s death to our own. “Be Thou my Consolation, My Shield, when I must die; Remind me of Thy Passion When my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, Upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfold Thee. Who dieth thus does well.” (LSB #449/450).
When you approach death’s door you won’t merely want the temporary comfort of the kind of Saint Bernard that has a barrell around its neck. No! You can have the joy and peace that Saint Bernard of Clairvaux knew – witnessing the crucifix. There, in the threshold of death, you can step into new life because of Jesus’ death and resurrection for you!
~~~~~~~~
Bernard of Clairvaux, Hymn Writer and Theologian
A leader in Christian Europe in the first half of the eleventh century A.D., Bernard (1090-1153) is honored in his native France and around the world. Born into a noble family in Burgundy, Bernard left the affluence of his heritage and entered the monastery of Citeaux at the age of twenty-two. After two years he was sent to start a new monastic house at Clairvaux. His work there was blessed in many ways. The monastery at Clairvaux grew in mission and service, eventually establishing some sixty-eight daughter houses. Bernard is remembered for his charity and political abilities, but especially for his preaching and hymn composition. The hymn texts "O Jesus, King Most Wonderful" and "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" are part of the heritage of the faith left by Saint Bernard. [From "Commemorations Biographies," Lutheran Service Book, LCMS Commission on Worship]
Then, kneeling or standing, Pray the Apostle’s Creed:I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church,* the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Pray The Lord's Prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen
If you wish, you may then pray this little prayer as well:
In the Morning
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
In the Evening
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
After that, with joy go about your work and perhaps say the Ten Commandments or sing a hymn. At night, go to sleep immediately with joy.
¶ 8/19/2006 07:17:00 AM 0 Comments
