How to Pray the Rosary Using Saint John Paul II’s Method

Already nearly sold out of its second printing in less than a year, The Rosary of Saint John Paul II: Meditations, Prayers, and Practical Aids, provides a step-by-step guide for putting John Paul II’s suggested method of praying the Rosary into practice – using the great saint’s own words from his 2002 apostolic letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Virgin Mary).

“Ever since the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Dominic…all the great saints have had something in common: they prayed the Rosary. So, if you want to be a saint—and you desire your children and grandchildren to be saints—this wonderful little book will help you stay close to Our Lady by praying the Rosary each day, and she will help you follow Jesus her Son to ‘do whatever He tells you’ (John 2:5).”
Patrick Madrid, host “The Patrick Madrid Show” on Relevant Radio

Here are the eight steps that Saint John Paul II recommends — plus a look at how the book helps you apply his method in practical and inspiring ways. (We have the citation to the paragraph in his apostolic letter noted in parentheses.)

As an option to introducing the Rosary with the longer recitation of the Creed, he recommends saying the opening words of Psalm 70: “O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me” (No. 37).

Announce each mystery with a pictorial representation of the mystery “to open up a scenario on which to focus our attention” (No. 29, italics in original). Contemplate high-resolution detail from classic masterpieces in our booklet.

Read a related Biblical passage: “As we listen, we are certain this is the Word of God, spoken for today and spoken ‘for me’” (No. 30). We provide 10 verses per mystery, a “scriptural rosary.” Plus: 10 reflections–many from the Catechism–for contemplation.

Observe a short silence after the reading. (No. 31)
Ponder and prepare your heart.

In each Hail, Mary add a clause after saying, “Jesus,” as a “profession of faith and an aid in concentrating our meditation” (No. 33, italics in original]. So practical: you will NOT ‘get lost’ in the decade (we suggest one for each).

The Glory Be should be given “due prominence” as “the high point of contemplation” in the Rosary. In public recitation it could be sung (No. 34, italics in original]. Try it with your family! Children especially respond (and they’ll sing it through the day)!

Conclude each mystery “with a prayer for the fruits specific to that particular mystery” that we may “imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise” (No. 35, italics in original). We give a prayer per mystery.

Close by praying for the Holy Father’s intentions and a prayer in praise of the Blessed Virgin, either the Salve Regina or the Litany of Loreto (No. 37). Both are in the booklet for you.

TRY IT–enrich Your Lent (and beyond): Pray the Rosary the Way Saint John Paul II Recommended.

---

“With St. John Paul II as our guide, this book will help individuals and families rediscover the power of the Rosary, bringing everyone closer to the hearts of Jesus and Mary!”

Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Author, Champions of the Rosary: The History & Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon