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Equipment: Rosary Beads

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October is called the Month of the Rosary. During this month, the Church focuses on the Rosary, a prayer that helps us meditate on the life of Jesus Christ together with Mary. The Rosary is more than just repeating words. St John Paul II called the Rosary “a prayer of the Gospel” because it helps us walk with Christ through the great moments of His life.

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

2. Say the Apostles’ Creed (Short Version)

“I believe in God the Father who created us.
I believe in Jesus, His Son, who died and rose for us.
I believe in the Holy Spirit and that we are all part of the Church. Amen.”

(Or use the full version if appropriate for the age group)

3. Say:

  • 1 Our Father

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

4. Say:

  • 3 Hail Marys

“Hail Mary, full of grace…”
These are offered for: Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love).

5. Say:

  • 1 Glory Be

“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…”

6. Announce the First Mystery (of 5)

The Mysteries of the Rosary

  • Joyful Mysteries (Incarnation: Jesus’ birth and childhood)
  • Luminous Mysteries (Public ministry of Jesus)
  • Sorrowful Mysteries (Passion and death of Jesus)
  • Glorious Mysteries (Resurrection and new life)

Use the appropriate Mysteries for the day:

  • Monday & Saturday – Joyful Mysteries
  • Tuesday & Friday – Sorrowful Mysteries
  • Wednesday & Sunday – Glorious Mysteries
  • Thursday – Luminous Mysteries

Example:

“The First Joyful Mystery: The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the Mother of Jesus.”

7. For Each Mystery:

  1. Brief reflection or explanation (can include an image or story)
  2. 1 Our Father
  3. 10 Hail Marys
  4. 1 Glory Be
  5. (Optional) Fatima Prayer

“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell.
Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”

Repeat this for all five mysteries.

8. After All 5 Mysteries:

  • Hail Holy Queen (optional, depending on age)

“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy…”

9. Say Intentions Together

Invite the children to pray for:

  • Their families
  • Their friends
  • Peace in the world
  • People who are sick or in need

10. Close with a Short Prayer and Final Blessing

  • Example Prayer:

“Dear God, help us love like Jesus, and be close to Mary, our Mother.”

  • Final Sign of the Cross

“In the name of the Father…”

Tips for Educators and Parents:

For very young children, consider praying just one decade (1 Our Father + 10 Hail Marys), or even just part of a decade

Use large or child-friendly rosary beads

Show pictures or icons of each mystery

Maintain a slow, peaceful rhythm

Closing Prayer

Mary, Mother of God and our Mother,
you walked faithfully with Jesus through joy and sorrow.
Be close to us as we journey through life.
Help us to see Christ in every moment,
and guide us always towards His love.
Amen.

Kif Ngħidu r-Rużarju Mat-Tfal

1. Ibda b’Sinjal tas-Salib

“F’isem il-Missier, u l-Iben, u l-Ispirtu s-Santu. Amen.”

2. Itlob il-Kredu (f’forma qasira)

“Nemmen f’Alla l-Missier, li ħalaqna. Nemmen f’Ġesù, Bin Alla, li miet u qam għalina. Nemmen fl-Ispirtu s-Santu, u li aħna lkoll parti mill-Knisja. Amen.”

(Jew uża verżjoni sħiħa skont l-età)

3. Itlob 1 Darbiet:

  • Missierna

“Missierna li inti fis-smewwiet…”

4. Itlob 3 Darbiet:

  • Sliema Għalik Marija

“Sliem għalik Marija…”
Għal: Fidi, Tama u Mħabba

5. Itlob:

  • Glorja

“Glorja lill-Missier, lill-Iben, u lill-Ispirtu s-Santu…”

6. Ħabbar il-Misteru (1 ta’ 5)

  • Qabbel il-jum mal-Misteri:
    • It-Tnejn u s-Sibt: Misteri tal-Ferħ
    • It-Tlieta u l-Ġimgħa: Misteri tad-Dwejjaq
    • L-Erbgħa u l-Ħadd: Misteri tal-Għolja
    • Il-Ħamis: Misteri tad-Dawl

Eżempju:

“L-ewwel Misteru tal-Ferħ: L-Anġlu jħabbar lil Marija li se ssir omm Ġesù.”

7. Għal Kull Misteru:

  1. Riflessjoni qasira (bl-ispjega jew b’ritratt/grafika)
  2. 1 Missierna
  3. 10 Sliema Għalik Marija
  4. 1 Glorja
  5. (Jekk tridu) Talba ta’ Fatima

“O Ġesù tiegħi, aħfrilna dnubietna…”

8. Wara l-5 Misteri:

  • Salve Regina (jekk l-età tippermetti)

“Sliem għalik, Reġina…”

9. Itlob għal Intenzjonijiet

  • Itlob flimkien mal-ulied għal:
    • Familji
    • Sħabhom
    • Il-paċi fid-dinja
    • Dawk li qed ibatu

10. Itlaq bit-Talba u l-Barka

  • Talba għall-Qdusija

“Alla tiegħi, għinni nħobb bħal Ġesù.”

  • Sinjal tas-Salib biex jintemm

“F’isem il-Missier…”

Għajnuniet għall-Edukaturi:

Uri grafika jew pitturi tal-misteri.

  • Żomm ritmu sempliċi u ton ta’ paċi.
  • Jekk it-tfal huma żgħar ħafna, tista’ tagħżel sempliċement misteru wieħed biss kuljum jew saħansitra nofs posta.

Queen of the May

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Bring the flowers of the rarest,
Bring blossoms the fairest,
From garden and woodland
and hillside and vale.

Our full hearts are swelling,
Our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest, flower of the vale.

Rit/ O Mary we crown thee with blossoms  today
Queen of the angels and Queen of the  May. (x2)

Their Lady they name thee
Their Mistress proclaim thee
Ah! Grant that thy children on earth be as  true
As long as the bowers are radiant with  flowers
As long as the azure shall keep its bright hue. O Mary…

Our voices ascending in harmony blending,
Oh! Thus may our hearts turn,
Dear Mother, to thee;
And thus shall we prove thee,
How truly we love thee
How dark without Mary, 
life’s journey would be. O Mary…

Lady so Fair

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Lady so fair, listen to me,
Lovelier you are
By far than I can say.

Listen to me (2)

Mother of truth, guide our youth,
Keep them true and close to you,
And they’ll win through.

Listen to me (2)

Mother of light, shine in our night,
Show us the road, share our load,
And we’ll find peace.

Listen to me (2)

Mother of pain, be once again,
She who cars, the burden shares,
And heals all ills,

Listen to me (2)

Mother of love, stoop from above,
Soften our hearts, take our part,
And we’ll spread love,

Listen to me (2)

Mother of God, give us the grace,
Then we’ll see, Like thee Christ’s own face,

Listen to me (2)

Fil-ħlewwa ta’ Mejju

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Fil-ħlewwa ta’ Mejju,
Omm tagħna Marija
O kemm idoqq ħlejju dak ismek sabiħ
Kemm toħroġ qawwija
Dil-kelma minn qalbna
Bit-tama li talbna jagħtik l-akbar ġieħ.

Rit:
Int l-għaxqa tas-sema
Ix-xemx tal-ħolqien
Int l-omm ta’ min ħalqek
Bik mimli kull żmien.

Jekk tiftaħ fil-ġonna il-warda Maltija
Tfakkarna o Madonna fil-lewn ta’ ħaddejk
Jekk tidħak id-dija tal-kwiekeb irżina
Tfakkarna o ħanina fid-dawl ta’ għajnejk Rit:

Minn dejjem bint Alla, nadifa mill-ħtija
Infrixt bħal qawsalla fuq ras il-bnedmin
Int ftaħt o Marija l-għejun ta’ kull ħniena
Fuq l-aħwa ħosbiena, fuq l-aħwa ħatjin. Rit:

Għalhekk ja sultana tal-ħlewwa Marija
Int biss tama tagħna, int qawwa tar-ruħ
Bil-grazzja mimlija kull waqt insellmulek
Bil-ħrara ngħajtulek fis-siegħa tad-dmugħ Rit:

Fis-Santwarju tal-Madonna

Hawn quddiemek, Madonna mixħut
Għax inħossni hekk mifni u batut
Jiena ġrejt u staqsejt fejn insib ftit mistrieħ
U bagħtuni f’riġlejk minnufih.

U qaluli, Madonna li ssebbaħ il-ġonna
U għaliex inti Ommna taħt ħarstek  iżżommna
U aħna minn qalbna, Madonna nfaħħruk.
U qaluli, Madonna li ssebbaħ il-ġonna
U għaliex inti Ommna taħt ħarstek  iżżommna
U aħna, Madonna, bħal ommna  nżommuk.

Barra l-ġemgħa titniehed mar-riħ,
Fejn tiġġerra fid-dlam u fil-ksieħ,
Għalhekk ġejt, għax staqsejt fejn insib ftit  tal-kenn,
U qaluli li inti taf tħenn.

U qaluli, Madonna …

Ave Maria ta’ Fatima

1. Ħdejn Fatima dehret I-Omm tagħna Marija,
Liċ-ċkejkna tliet rgħajja, tfal safja w għaqlija.
Rit/ Ave, Ave, Ave Marija x2

2. “Sinjura żagħżugħa imdawra bid-dija,
Bil-ġmiel u bil-ħlewwa tas-sema mogħnija.
Rit/ Ave, Ave, Ave Marija x2

3. Ilbiesha bajdani, jgħattilha riġlejha,
Kuruna sabiħa, imdendla f’idejha.
Rit/ Ave, Ave, Ave Marija x2

4. “Min fejn inti ġejja?”, staqsietek Luċiia:
“Is-Sema pajjiżi”, weġibt, o Marija.
Rit/ Ave, Ave, Ave Marija x2

Download 1st stanza
Download 2nd stanza
Download 3rd stanza
Download 4th stanza

Tislima lil Ommna Marija

Lilek insellmu Marija
Bħalma l-anġlu sellimlek mill-qalb.
Inti bil-grazzja mimlija
Omm Alla u tagħna l-bnedmin.

Tħares mill-għoli tas-sema
Sabiex tieħu ħsieb lilna ċ-ċkejknin.
Ġewwa dirgħajk trid iżżommna
Bħalma żammejt lill-Bambin.

Tislima lil Ommnna Marija
Minn qalbna nagħtuk iċ-ċkejknin
Lilek nagħtu l-qalb safja
Sabiex inti toffrieha lill-Bambin (x2)

Madwarek il-kwiekeb tas-sema
Wiċċek xemx jagħti dawl lill-bniedem
Juri t-triq lill-mitlufa
Twassalhom fi ħdan il-Bambin.

Ġmielek jgħaxxaq is-sema
Isellmulek is-sema u l-art
L-anġli madwarek ferħana
Magħhom ngħannulek bil-qalb. R/.

  • Living Decade: Each class prays one decade of the Rosary per day; by the end of the week, the whole Rosary is prayed together.
  • Prayer Journaling: Write reflections on a Mystery that connects with personal struggles or joys.
  • Intentions Chain: Each student writes an intention on a paper strip and links them into a prayer chain that forms a rosary outline on the wall.
  • Silent Contemplation: One decade was prayed slowly in silence, focusing on breathing and the words.
  • Scriptural Rosary: Read one verse from the Bible before each Hail Mary, making it a prayer through Scripture.

Classroom Activities

  • Discussion: “Is the Rosary still relevant for young people today?”
  • Rosary Timeline: Trace how the Rosary developed in Christian history (St. Dominic, Battle of Lepanto, St. John Paul II adding the Luminous Mysteries).
  • Creative Expression: Write a modern Magnificat (Mary’s prayer of praise) in today’s language.
  • Digital Rosary: Create a short video, slideshow, or social media post that explains one Mystery in teen-friendly style.

  • Encourage students to see the Rosary as both repetitive rhythm (peaceful meditation) and Scriptural prayer (rooted in the Gospel).
  • Link Mysteries to teenage experiences:
    • Joyful → family, new beginnings.
    • Luminous → discovering talents, friendships.
    • Sorrowful → loss, stress, challenges.
    • Glorious → hope, achievements, overcoming struggles.
  • Allow space for silent prayer and personal reflection – not just group recitation.

The Rosary developed over centuries through prayer traditions, devotion to Mary, and the Church’s guidance.

1. Early Christian Prayer with Repetition (3rd–5th Century)

  • Early Christians prayed the Psalms repeatedly.
  • Illiterate believers used short, repeated prayers, such as the “Our Father,” and counted them using cords or beads.
  • This repetition practice became the foundation for prayer beads.

2. The Pater Noster Beads (10th–12th Century)

  • Laypeople in Europe began praying 50 “Our Fathers” using beads or knots.
  • This devotion, known as the Pater Noster, became a widespread lay prayer tradition.

3. The Rise of the Hail Mary (12th–13th Century)

  • The “Hail Mary” (Ave Maria) gained popularity as Marian devotion grew.
  • People began combining Hail Marys and Our Fathers in sets for meditation.
  • These groupings became the basis of the decades used in today’s Rosary.

4. Saint Dominic and the Dominican Tradition (Early 13th Century, ~1206)

  • Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Dominic, entrusting him with the Rosary as a means of prayer and conversion during the Albigensian crisis in France.
  • Whether or not this event is historical, the Dominican Order played a significant role in promoting the use and structure of the Rosary.

5. Formation of the 15 Mysteries (14th–15th Century)

  • The Rosary took its modern shape with 15 decades.
  • Each decade included an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be.
  • The prayers focused on the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of Christ and Mary’s lives.

6. Spread and Papal Endorsement (16th–19th Century)

  • The Rosary spread throughout Europe with the strong support of the papacy.
  • It became a universal Catholic devotion, encouraging meditation on the life of Christ.

7. The Modern Rosary (2002–Present)

  • In 2002, Pope John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries, reflecting on key moments in Christ’s public ministry.
  • Today, the Rosary includes 20 Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous.
  • It remains a central form of meditative and intercessory prayer in the Catholic Church.
  • Ongoing Reflection on the Rosary by the Church

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