Read Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on the new mystery of the Rosary

THE ROSARY AS A WEAPON OF PEACE
Message given by Pope John Paul II on Sept. 29, 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

1. We are already at the threshold of the month of October, which, with the liturgical Memorial of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, moves us to rediscover this traditional prayer, which is so simple yet so profound.

The rosary is a contemplative view of the face of Christ carried out, so to speak, through Mary's eyes. Therefore, it is a prayer that is at the very heart of the Gospel, and is in full harmony with the inspiration of the Second Vatican Council and very much in keeping with the indication I gave in the apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte": It is necessary that the Church "go into the deep" of the new millennium beginning with the contemplation of the face of Christ.

Therefore, I wish to suggest the recitation of the rosary to individuals, to families and to Christian communities. To give force to this request, I am also preparing a document, which will help to rediscover the beauty and depth of this prayer.

2. I wish to entrust once again the great cause of peace to the prayer of the rosary. We are faced with an international situation full of tensions, of incandescent dimensions. In some parts of the world, where the confrontation is stronger -- I am thinking in particular of the martyred land of Christ -- we can see that, although always necessary, the political attempts are worth little if spirits remain exacerbated and there is no ability to demonstrate a heartfelt disposition to renew the line of dialogue.

But, who can infuse such sentiments, save God alone? It is more necessary than ever that prayers for peace be raised to him throughout the world. Precisely in this perspective, the rosary reveals itself as a particularly appropriate prayer. It constructs peace also because, while appealing to God's grace, it sows in the one reciting it the seed of good, from which fruits of justice and solidarity in personal and community life can be expected.

I am thinking of nations, but also of families: how much peace would be assured in family relations, if the holy rosary was prayed by the family!

3. I extend a warm greeting to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, and invite you to make the month of October a time of special attention to the recitation of the rosary, the great prayer of intercession to Mary. Upon you and your families I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord.

In this Cyber-Rosary, when it's time to pray on a rosary bead, place your mouse cursor over the bead and it will change from blue to gold. (You can try it here.)

Also do this with the images next to the "Our Father", "Glory Be", and "Oh My Jesus" prayers.

You may say this Rosary in litany with Terry Modica, author of the Daily Reflections, if you have a Media Player. Just click on the link to start your Player; Terry will pray the first half with you, then you will finish it.

We will be incorporating into the Joyful Mysteries prayers for peace by John Paul II and other popes. The Joyful Mysteries were chosen because world peace begins with the birth of the Savior. Let us pray that the Prince of Peace is born more fully into our world, especially in places of violence.

Let us begin.

We pray with full confidence, seeking the help of Mary, the Queen of Peace, because:

We believe
in God, the Father almighty, Creator 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. On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into Heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty.
From thence He will come again to judge the living 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 life everlasting.
Amen.

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. Amen.

A prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Pope John Paul II (Dec. 8, 2001):

We ask you to present our prayer to the Father who clothed you with grace, withdrawing you from every shadow of sin. Dark clouds are gathering on the horizon of the world. The human race who greeted the dawn of the third millennium with hope, now feels overwhelmed by the threat of new and disconcerting conflicts. Peace in the world is endangered. This is why we come to you, Immaculate Virgin, to ask you to obtain, as our understanding and strong Mother, that souls freed from the smoke of hatred may be open to mutual pardon, to constructive solidarity and to peace.

For the gift of Faith from the Holy Spirit:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

For the gift of Hope from Jesus Christ:
Hail Mary, full of grace...

For the gift of Love from God the Father:
Hail Mary, full of grace...

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen!

Together we pray: Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Your Mercy.

(Note: This song is "Make Our Lives a Prayer of Peace" by Paul Hillebrand and can be enjoyed in its entirety by ordering it from OCP Publications.)

Let us now go to
The First Joyful Mystery