Background Notes

October has traditionally been considered the month of the Rosary. October 7 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This prayer celebration focuses on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. You may want to emphasize to participants that although the Rosary is an intercessory form of prayer wherein Mary intercedes on our behalf, we recall through these mysteries the story of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We pray with Mary and the whole Church that the work of salvation will continue.


"Mary: Woman of Sorrow" – Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Seeking Mary’s strength to endure in faith all the challenges we face
Materials		Prayer table, Bible, candle, flowers, rosaries, a picture or statue of Mary, music
Reading		Luke 23:27-28; John 19:25-27a
Music		"We Are Called," "With Hope and Healing," Meditation Track, Blest Are We CD 7-8; "I Say 'Yes,’ Lord/Digo 'Sí,’ Señor," Blest Are We CD School Edition, Grade 6; "Hail Mary: Gentle Woman," Carey Landry (OCP Publications)
Preparation		Have participants study the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary (Agony of Jesus in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion and Death of Jesus). Assign five participants to prepare a short reflection about each mystery. You may also want to assign a leader and a Scripture reader. Print out and provide copies of liturgy "Mary: Woman of Sorrow" for each participant.
Adaptation		If your group does not have time for all five mysteries, you might recite only one decade or pray one Hail Mary for each decade.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see Prayer Celebrations, Middle School Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30570-1 Blest Are We Music CD, Levels 7-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36380-9 Blest Are We Audio Cassette, Levels 7-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36454-6 Blest Are We Music CD, School Edition, Grade 6 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36657-3 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8 Words and melody for students; contains music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8 Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2