The Fruits of the Rosary

by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur on October 31, 2013 ·

When I was growing up, my mother and I would say the rosary every day together. Before each decade, she would announce the mystery and the fruit, or virtue, associated with it. I have continued the practice of saying the rosary in my adult life. Indeed, it is one of my favorite devotions and can’t imagine life without it. I do remember all the mysteries of the original Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious sets of five decades. It took me a while, but I even managed to memorize the Luminous Mysteries established by Pope John Paul II. My memory had long since forgotten the fruits of the mysteries, however. In talking to some friends recently, we realized we were all in the same boat. No one knew the fruits of the mysteries of the rosary — only that there were some! To rectify that ignorance, here are the mysteries of the rosary and their corresponding fruits along with a brief reflection on each one. They offer yet one more good reason to say the rosary.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation – Humility

It is appropriate to begin the rosary with the virtue of humility. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that ‘we do not know how to pray as we ought,’ are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. ‘Man is a beggar before God.’ “ (CCC 2559)

2. The Visitation – Love of Neighbor

Mary hastened to her cousin’s Elizabeth’s house to help her in her time of need. In what ways can we be of service to our own neighbor’s today, whether we find that neighbor in our own home, in our community, at work, or on the internet?

3. The Nativity of the Lord – Poverty of Spirit, Detachment from the Things of the World

We live in a very consumerist culture. This mystery invites us to detach ourselves from our many possessions. What do we truly need and what is excess? What can we share with others?

4. Presentation – Obedience

Mary and Joseph humbly brought Jesus to the temple in accord with Jewish law. Obedience to God and to others can be very difficult, but offers us the opportunity to subjugate our own will to that of our heavenly Father. Not my will, but God’s will be done.

5. Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple – Piety

Piety is dedication to the Church’s sacramental life and devotions. Mary and Joseph were surprised to find Jesus in the temple. We, too, should be dedicated to our Church and the sacraments.

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus – Openness to the Holy Spirit

We each receive the Holy Spirit in a special way in Baptism and again at Confirmation. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. We need only ask the Holy Spirit for help and help will be provided.

2. The Miracle at Cana – To Jesus through Mary

Mary encouraged her Son to perform his first miracle at the Wedding at Cana. She simply told the servants to “do whatever he tells you.” She helps us in a similar way — always pointing us to her Son and interceding on our behalf. We need only to turn to her and ask for help.

3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God – Repentance, Trust in God

Jesus spent the active years of his ministry preaching and performing miracles to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He asks us to express sorrow from our sin, turn away from sin, and trust in God.

4. Transfiguration – Desire for Holiness

Jesus gave three of his closest friends a glimpse of His glory at the Transfiguration. We, too, are called to holiness, and to ultimately live in glory in heaven. But, we need to want it and we need to want it more than what the world and the devil attempts to offer us.

5. Institution of the Eucharist – Eucharistic Adoration, Active Participation at Mass

Jesus gave us the greatest gift in the Eucharist. He gave us His very self. This mystery invites us to appreciate that gift fully and to participate at Mass often

Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony in the Garden – Contrition, Conformity to the Will of God

Jesus, both fully human and fully divine, suffered immensely in the garden. He knew what was coming and he was terrified. He begged His Father to spare him, but submitted Himself fully to His will. We, too, are called to do this.

2. Scourging at the Pillar – Purity, Mortification

Mortification isn’t popular these days, but making small sacrifices and offering them up can be a great help to one’s spiritual life. There is an opportunity every day to sacrifice and to suffer in some small way.

3. Crowning with Thorns – Moral Courage

Jesus remained resolute even as he was being made fun of. Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions even when we are being laughed at? Whose opinion matters more – God’s or those who surround us?

4. Carrying of the Cross – Patience

Patience is something we all seem to have difficulty with. Jesus patiently carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem on the way to his Crucifixion. We can look to him for help when we are tempted to lose our patience.

5. Crucifixion – Salvation, Self-Denial

Jesus gave up everything for us on the cross. His took on the sins of the world, past, present, and future, and died for our salvation. We need to be so thankful for that gift. At the same time, when we are asked to die to ourselves and put others first, we can look to the cross for the example of total self-giving.

Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection – Faith It takes great faith to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and that we, too, shall rise. As Jesus told his apostles, “Blessed are that who have not seen, and yet believe.” This mystery offers us help in maintaining that faith. “Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief!”

2. The Ascension – Hope, Desire for Heaven

We hope for a world that is better than this one. We desire to live forever with Jesus in heaven. May that hope help shape our lives here on Earth.

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, Love of God

The disciples were scared. They huddled together in that upper room not sure of what to do. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon them and they were ready to go out and give their very lives in service to God. May the Holy Spirit also grant us that wisdom and love of God.

4. The Assumption of Mary – Devotion to Mary

Mary was brought up to heaven body and soul. We are devoted to her because of her relationship to her Son and because God saw fit to raise her up. “Blessed are you among women and Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.”

5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Eternal Happiness

Mary is the Queen of Heaven, enjoying forever her rightful place next to her Son. May we one day share in her happiness.

I have prayed the rosary each day for a number of years.
Mostly during a night time walk. Especially in the beginning it was too hard to be on my knees for the 22-30+ minutes the rosary takes to pray, I’d yawn, be distracted, think of other things etc. But as a nightime walk: piece of cake!

As a man, I find most rosaries in my pocket, get tangled with my keys, they break, the beads crack, the chain breaks, whatever the style/construction they dont have a long life, which is troublesome. I was going through 2-3 rosaries a year. Until I found the ‘knotted cord rosary’

Pictures: “Knotted Cord Rosary” or “Knotted Twine Rosary”
https://www.google.com/search?q=knotted+cord+rosary&client=firefox-a&hs=wdF&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qYp-Uu6zLM_EiwLa1IF4&sqi=2&ved=0CFkQsAQ&biw=1360&bih=895

I ALWAYS CARRY A ROSARY WITH ME IN MY POCKET. It gets prayed while waiting in medical offices, etc.If I have a very short interval of time the “Divine Mercy Chaplet” is designed to be prayed on the rosary beads(5-10 minutes).All kinds of waiting situations I pull it out. Or just an afternoon work break, 10 minute Divine Mercy Chaplet

Knotted Cord/Twine Rosaries:
These rosaries dont make any noise in the pocket.
They are durable, will never break, and hold up very well in the washer and dryer if they per chance end up there.
Plus because they are corded instead of beaded you can do finger twirling tricks with these without beads slamming into your fingers/knuckles. Of course, for a man you’d want these in the 18-22 or 24” length. Any longer and it starts towards being a big wad in your pocket.Its the best rosary for a man. Although women prefer more beautiful extravagant and consequently more delicate ones.

THese are cheap &easy to make or even cheap to purchase “knotted cord/twine rosary”. Buy a spool of rosary cord for $20 bucks, can then make 15+ rosaries out of that. Instructions provided on rosary making websites.

No I havent come across that book. I dont really need Yet Another Book on the Rosary. Although I know of the website. Seems like a local org. with local effects, although they’ve got some cool gear.

I bought the baseball cap and have had people doubletake me for a black power thing, but its all good. I blacked out with marker their website name on the back of the cap.

Their other gear is kind of flawed, like t-shirts with that logo...cool, but with the other side blasting a website name. Not something I’d pay for....—akin to an ‘Eat AT Joes’Human Billboard, —especially since I walk and pray with the rosary, wearing a t-shirt like that with large website address is not my style of witnessing.

I find their logo somewhat appropo. It shows a left hand holding the rosary...this is not common. Yet St Montforts book ‘True Devotion to Mary’ speaking of the ‘great men’ of latter times:

“They will have the two-edged sword of the word of God in their mouths and the blood-stained standard of the Cross on their shoulders. They will carry the crucifix in their right hand and the rosary in their left, and the holy names of Jesus and Mary on their heart. The simplicity and self-sacrifice of Jesus will be reflected in their whole behaviour.”
—Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, speaking of the great Saints of the end times.

So the cap aligns with the above quote in that it shows a left hand with rosary. Additionally I am left handed and pray the rosary this way. Although I am aware that de Montfort is using a figure of speech, not literal, but spiritual.

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