Blest Are We

Is that a fact?: Fifteen mysteries traditionally make up the complete rosary, involving 150 "Hail Marys." Because of this the rosary is also known as the "Psalter of Mary" - corresponding to the 150 psalms in the Book of Psalms.

Extend the activities for each concept presented in Blest Are We with the following Ideas.


		• Review the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary with children. For each mystery, discuss the events surrounding it. • Encourage children to draw what they imagine happening at the time. You could provide them with a sheet of construction paper folded to create 6 sections. In the first square have them write, "Joyful Mysteries." Then, have them number the remaining sections 1-5 and present their ideas. • Role-play the events surrounding the five mysteries.


		• Share meditative prayer with children. Explain that they will be praying without using any words. Read something to them while they sit quietly, thinking of God’s gifts and feeling close to God. See Blest Are We Grade Level 3, page 36. Or, you could tell children about the beauty of God’s creation and the quiet beauty that is present in what God has created. • Share meditative prayer using an example from what is currently happening in your parish or school community at this time. If a special saint or event is being celebrated, engage children in meditative prayer involving that person or event.


		• Examine with children selected phrases from within the Lord’s Prayer and discuss their meaning for today. For example, "hallowed be thy name." We hold God’s name to be "hallowed" or holy, special. • Point out that the "Lord’s Prayer" is also part of the Rosary. It is prayed with the first bead at the beginning and before each decade. • Learn the "Lord’s Prayer" using sign language. See the Resources section on this site.