An Advantageous Additions to the Aves

Sister Christina explains how a beautiful little custom can enhance your praying of the Rosary, during this Lenten season and beyond. 

In recent weeks, I’ve written a couple of times, in blog posts on my Franciscan community’s website, about a custom used with the Rosary that’s better known in other parts of the world.   

I had been reminded of this beautiful practice used by some of our friends in Europe, and was told that Saint John Paul II discussed it in his Letter on the Rosary (33). 

I’ve been trying to implement it, myself, now for a few weeks or so. This custom, which I was first introduced to some years ago by my mother’s Austrian friend, is to insert a little phrase, which refers to the mystery at hand, in the middle of each Hail Mary. 

An example for the Third Joyful Mystery would be to pray each Ave as follows:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, who was born at Bethlehem.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I had kind of forgotten about this custom, but, this past month, it’s been really helpful in keeping my mind on track and preventing me from drifting off into other unrelated thoughts and preoccupations.

As we have passed the midway point in Lent and pray the Sorrowful Mysteries more frequently, introducing this custom could be a very beautiful way of entering more deeply into Christ’s sufferings. 

Below are some examples of how we might pray these mysteries according to this fruitful custom. I hope this practice helps you and me to pray more faithfully and fruitfully. 

Joyful Mysteries

1. Whose coming was announced by Gabriel
2. Who caused John to leap in the womb of his mother
3. Whom you bore at Bethlehem
4. Whom you presented in the Temple
5. Whom you found in the Temple

 Luminous Mysteries 

1. Who was baptized in the Jordan
2. Who turned water into wine 
3. Who proclaimed the Kingdom 
4. Who was transfigured on Mt. Tabor 
5. Who instituted the Eucharist 

Sorrowful Mysteries 

1. Who chose the Father’s will at Gethsemane 
2. Who was scourged at the pillar 
3. Who was crowned with thorns 
4. Who carried the cross for us 
5. Who died on the cross 

Glorious Mysteries 

1. Who rose from the dead
2. Who ascended into heaven 
3. Who sent the Holy Spirit 
4. Who took you up to heaven 
5. Who crowned you queen of heaven 

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Try this beautiful custom to enhance your praying of the Rosary. #CatholicMom

Copyright 2023 Sister Christina Marie Neumann, OSF
Images: Canva