Knights of the Southern Cross - Australia

Who We Are

FORMATION


FORMATION 2005

 


segment NO 3

theme:    The Rosary Prayer

‘Luminous Mysteries’ or the ‘Mysteries of Light’

 

 

call to prayer & opening prayer:   

As for the Order Prayers         

 

intention:        

 

 “May we grow in a deeper understanding of God’s love for us through the five Mysteries of Light”

 

word of reflection: 

Reflect on the reading of the following words of the Pope:

Call to Discipleship

Christian spirituality is distinguished by the disciple's commitment to become conformed ever more fully to his Master (cf. Rom 8:29; Phil 3:10,12). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Baptism grafts the believer like a branch onto the vine which is Christ and makes him a member of Christ's mystical Body. This initial unity, however, calls for a growing assimilation which will increasingly shape the conduct of the disciple in accordance with the “mind” of Christ: “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5).

In the spiritual journey of the Rosary, based on the constant contemplation – in Mary's company – of the face of Christ, this demanding ideal of being conformed to him is pursued through an association which could be described in terms of friendship. We are thereby enabled to enter naturally into Christ's life and as it were to share his deepest feelings. In this regard Blessed Bartolo Longo has written: “Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop similar habits, so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent of our lowliness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection” 

John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae – The Rosary of the Virgin Mary  #19

 

A proposed addition to the traditional pattern

Of the many mysteries of Christ's life, only a few are indicated by the Rosary in the form that has become generally established with the seal of the Church's approval. The selection was determined by the origin of the prayer, which was based on the number 150, the number of the Psalms in the Psalter. I believe, however, that to bring out fully the Christological depth of the Rosary it would be suitable to make an addition to the traditional pattern which, while left to the freedom of individuals and communities, could broaden it to include the mysteries of Christ's public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion. In the course of those mysteries we contemplate important aspects of the person of Christ as the definitive revelation of God. Declared the beloved Son of the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, Christ is the one who announces the coming of the Kingdom, bears witness to it in his works and proclaims its demands.

It is during the years of his public ministry that the mystery of Christ is most evidently a mystery of light: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (Jn 9:5). Consequently, for the Rosary to become more fully a “compendium of the Gospel”, it is fitting to add, following reflection on the Incarnation and the hidden life of Christ (the joyful mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings of his Passion (the sorrowful mysteries) and the triumph of his Resurrection (the glorious mysteries), a meditation on certain particularly significant moments in his public ministry (the mysteries of light). This addition of these new mysteries, without prejudice to any essential aspect of the prayer's traditional format, is meant to give it fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the Rosary's place within Christian spirituality as a true doorway to the depths of the Heart of Christ, ocean of joy and of light, of suffering and of glory.

John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae – The Rosary of the Virgin Mary  #19

 

            Allow a few moments reflective silence, then proclaim the Word of God

 

 

word of god

 The Gospel according to John 9:1-7

The Word of God is now read aloud slowly and prayerfully

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.

His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.

 

  For the next five minutes silently read and reflect on the readings.

    Underline what you  consider to be key words and/or phrases for you.

 

the sharing

 

Now bring your insights and reflection around the theme and the Readings into discussion of the following:                                                           (10 mins)

 

v     In what ways are we called to discipleship?

v     How can the Rosary be incorporated into our lives of prayer?

 

 

conclusion

Leader:           As we conclude this time of reflection, let pray in the spirit of the

Rosary prayer:

 

All:                  Our Father…

                        Hail Mary…

                        Glory be to the Father…

 

The meeting proceeds

 

closing prayers:  As for the Order Prayers at the Closing of the Meeting.

 

  

 

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Last updated: 12/02/2006