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On the Most Holy Rosary: Rosarium Virginis Mariae
Apostolic letter of Pope St. John Paul II.
54 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Pope John Paul II
1,046 books633 followersSaint Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II), born Karol Józef Wojtyła was elected Pope at the Conclave of 16 October 1978, and he took the name of John Paul II. On 22 October, the Lord's Day, he solemnly inaugurated his Petrine ministry as the 263rd successor to the Apostle. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, lasted nearly 27 years.
Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city's 333 parishes.
He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.
His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.
Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.
With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.
He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.
In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April 2005 at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On April 1, 2011, he was raised to the glory of the altars and on April 27, 2014 canonized.
Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city's 333 parishes.
He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.
His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.
Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.
With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.
He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.
In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April 2005 at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On April 1, 2011, he was raised to the glory of the altars and on April 27, 2014 canonized.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 8, 2014
Written on the 25th anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II's pontificate, Rosarium Virginis Mariae was also the initiation of the Year of the Rosary in 2002, the introduction of the Luminous Mysteries and the pope's assertion that to pray the rosary was to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ. Know I've read this little gem before but it was good to revisit as our group is studying JPII this week. Forgot how much he put into such a small document.
July 28, 2011
This Apostolic Letter from the now deceased Papam, does more than just call people (predominately Catholics) back to the Rosary. In this simple text one will find an explanation of what the Rosary entails, and why Catholics do not view this meditative prayer as a "vain repetition."
JPII does an excellent job explaining how the Rosary is about meditating on Christ, to see Christ as it were "through the eyes of Mary." Many people have mistaken the Rosary as a form of "Mary-worship," and this treatise clearly demonstrates that is the wrong view to hold.
This letter is helpful to Catholics especially who are advocates of the pre-Vatican II Church, to see the logic in "adding" five new mysteries to the nearly 1000 year old meditation. Non-Catholics will also be able to appreciate this text because it serves to remind all sides of "Christendom" that we have far more in common than we have different.
This is one of JPII's better works, and was sorely needed to make the Rosary more accessible and understandable to Catholic and Protestant alike.
JPII does an excellent job explaining how the Rosary is about meditating on Christ, to see Christ as it were "through the eyes of Mary." Many people have mistaken the Rosary as a form of "Mary-worship," and this treatise clearly demonstrates that is the wrong view to hold.
This letter is helpful to Catholics especially who are advocates of the pre-Vatican II Church, to see the logic in "adding" five new mysteries to the nearly 1000 year old meditation. Non-Catholics will also be able to appreciate this text because it serves to remind all sides of "Christendom" that we have far more in common than we have different.
This is one of JPII's better works, and was sorely needed to make the Rosary more accessible and understandable to Catholic and Protestant alike.
September 19, 2024
Pope St. John Paul II wrote this letter to promote, explain, and spread devotion to the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I believe whether one is a devout Catholic, a Protestant with little regard for the rosary, or someone who has been distant from the faith for a long time and was left a rosary by a relative, that this letter is for you. Not only does St. JPII explain in detail the significance of the rosary, he also gives a detailed explanation of how it is to be prayer, it’s history, and how it draws us all into the mystery of the life of Christ through praying with the Blessed Mother.
While I always had an appreciation for the Rosary, I was never inspired to make it a daily practice. After reading this letter, I feel more inspired than ever to make it a daily habit of prayer.
The only thing keeping this from a 5 star review is that St. JPII seems to bounce around a lot and the letter lacks a ton of overall structure. It also is occasionally repetitive and uses some big words without always explaining them.
4.5 out of 5 stars!
I believe whether one is a devout Catholic, a Protestant with little regard for the rosary, or someone who has been distant from the faith for a long time and was left a rosary by a relative, that this letter is for you. Not only does St. JPII explain in detail the significance of the rosary, he also gives a detailed explanation of how it is to be prayer, it’s history, and how it draws us all into the mystery of the life of Christ through praying with the Blessed Mother.
While I always had an appreciation for the Rosary, I was never inspired to make it a daily practice. After reading this letter, I feel more inspired than ever to make it a daily habit of prayer.
The only thing keeping this from a 5 star review is that St. JPII seems to bounce around a lot and the letter lacks a ton of overall structure. It also is occasionally repetitive and uses some big words without always explaining them.
4.5 out of 5 stars!
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August 26, 2023Warto przeczytać, aby lepiej poznać czym faktycznie jest modlitwa różańcowa.
"Różaniec, jako 'medytacja' o Chrystusie z Maryją, jest zbawienną kontemplacją. Zagłębianie się, tajemnica po tajemnicy, w życie Odkupiciela sprawia bowiem, że to, co On zdziałał, a liturgia aktualizuje, zostaje dogłębnie przyswojone i kształtuje egzystencję."
"Różaniec, jako 'medytacja' o Chrystusie z Maryją, jest zbawienną kontemplacją. Zagłębianie się, tajemnica po tajemnicy, w życie Odkupiciela sprawia bowiem, że to, co On zdziałał, a liturgia aktualizuje, zostaje dogłębnie przyswojone i kształtuje egzystencję."
June 1, 2022
Lo había leído antes, pero me gusta todavía más la claridad y lo motivador del mensaje del Papa santo.
January 16, 2013
A charming philosophical, theological, and cultural commentary "on the most holy rosary." In this little book, Pope John Paul II reminds us:
"To look upon the face of Christ, to recognize its mystery amid the daily events and the sufferings of human life, and then to grasp the divine splendor definitively revealed in the Risen Lord, seated in glory at the right head of the Father: this is the task of every follower of Christ and therefore the task of each one of us."
The rosary is wonderful tool for doing so.
This treatise also contains a brief JPII commentary on the Blessed Mother and reflections on the mysteries.
This would make a nice introduction to the rosary for anyone curious about the devotion.
"To look upon the face of Christ, to recognize its mystery amid the daily events and the sufferings of human life, and then to grasp the divine splendor definitively revealed in the Risen Lord, seated in glory at the right head of the Father: this is the task of every follower of Christ and therefore the task of each one of us."
The rosary is wonderful tool for doing so.
This treatise also contains a brief JPII commentary on the Blessed Mother and reflections on the mysteries.
This would make a nice introduction to the rosary for anyone curious about the devotion.
October 29, 2022
great explanation of how the rosary helps us consistently meditate on the most important moments in the life of our incarnate God as well as petition God for the grace and power we need to imitate Jesus and all the saints of Jesus time( mary, joseph, john the baptist, the wise men, simon, elizabeth)
May 31, 2021
As a lover of St. John Paul II and the Blessed Virgin Mary, I found this a beautiful way to hear him speak from his heart on devotion to the Rosary. It is in this encyclical that then Pope John Paul II proposed the Luminous mysteries of the Rosary and changed a little which mysteries were to be said on which days. I picked this up because I like the Rosary devotions from a group called Holy Family School of Faith. Those rosary devotions or meditations add nice variety as they are not focused on the traditional Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful or Glorious mysteries. This encyclical is given as one of the reasons that they vary from the traditional layout. Pope John Paul II does mention that one could also meditate on other events in the life of Christ, but he doesn't go so far as to suggest meditating on a particular saints devotion to the Blessed Virgin which is an example of what HFSoF does. That is not a detraction to either this encyclical or HFSoF, but I thank HFSoF for giving me a reason to read this encyclical. I will list a few quotes from the encyclical below, but it must be noted that I have underlined and made notes extensively. These are just a few to give one a taste.
"...to rediscover the Rosary means to immerse oneself in contemplation of the mystery of Christ who 'is our peace'..."
"The contemplation of Christ has an incomparable model in Mary....Mary's gaze [of Jesus], ever filled with adoration and wonder would never leave Him. At times it would be a questioning look, as in the episode of the finding in the Temple....it would always be a penetrating gaze, one capable of deeply understanding Jesus, even to the point of perceiving his hidden feelings and anticipating his decision, as at Cana."
"The school of Mary is all the more effective if we consider that she teaches by obtaining for us in abundance the gifts of the Holy Spirit, even as she offers us the incomparable example of her own 'pilgrimage of faith.' As we contemplate each mystery of her Son's life, she invites us to do as she did at the Annunciation: to ask humbly the questions that open us to the light, in order to end with the obedience of faith: 'Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord' be it done to me according to your word'(Lk. 1:38)."
"The Rosary mystically transports us to Mary's side as she is busy watching over the human growth of Christ in the home of Nazareth. This enables her to train us and to mold us with the same care, until Christ is 'fully formed' in us (cf. Gal. 4:19)."
The following quote imparts the idea of meditating on other events in the life of Christ in addition to those of the regular Mysteries: "The cycles of meditation proposed by the Holy Rosary are by no means exhaustive, but they do bring to mind what is essential and they awaken in the soul a thirst for a knowledge of Christ continually nourished by the pure source of the Gospel. Every individual event in the life of Christ, as narrated by the Evangelists, is resplendent with the Mystery that surpasses all understand (cf. Eph 3:19): the Mystery of the Word made flesh, in whom 'all the fullness of God dwells bodily' (Col 2:9)."
I highly recommend this to all Catholics and to any who wonder about what the Rosary is, why Catholics pray it, or why Catholics are devoted to Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother.
"...to rediscover the Rosary means to immerse oneself in contemplation of the mystery of Christ who 'is our peace'..."
"The contemplation of Christ has an incomparable model in Mary....Mary's gaze [of Jesus], ever filled with adoration and wonder would never leave Him. At times it would be a questioning look, as in the episode of the finding in the Temple....it would always be a penetrating gaze, one capable of deeply understanding Jesus, even to the point of perceiving his hidden feelings and anticipating his decision, as at Cana."
"The school of Mary is all the more effective if we consider that she teaches by obtaining for us in abundance the gifts of the Holy Spirit, even as she offers us the incomparable example of her own 'pilgrimage of faith.' As we contemplate each mystery of her Son's life, she invites us to do as she did at the Annunciation: to ask humbly the questions that open us to the light, in order to end with the obedience of faith: 'Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord' be it done to me according to your word'(Lk. 1:38)."
"The Rosary mystically transports us to Mary's side as she is busy watching over the human growth of Christ in the home of Nazareth. This enables her to train us and to mold us with the same care, until Christ is 'fully formed' in us (cf. Gal. 4:19)."
The following quote imparts the idea of meditating on other events in the life of Christ in addition to those of the regular Mysteries: "The cycles of meditation proposed by the Holy Rosary are by no means exhaustive, but they do bring to mind what is essential and they awaken in the soul a thirst for a knowledge of Christ continually nourished by the pure source of the Gospel. Every individual event in the life of Christ, as narrated by the Evangelists, is resplendent with the Mystery that surpasses all understand (cf. Eph 3:19): the Mystery of the Word made flesh, in whom 'all the fullness of God dwells bodily' (Col 2:9)."
I highly recommend this to all Catholics and to any who wonder about what the Rosary is, why Catholics pray it, or why Catholics are devoted to Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother.
February 4, 2025
Es una obra pastoral genial para comprender la relevancia y la utilidad del rezo del Rosario. San Juan Pablo II expresa con brillantez en palabras claras y sencillas todo lo que el cristiano de a pie necesita saber para poner en práctica con corrección y sentido este rezo con tanta Historia y significado.
Es una obra sencilla y corta, que puede abordar cualquier persona y que no conlleva mucho tiempo ni su lectura, ni su aprendizaje ni su meditación, pues se puede poner en práctica a medida que se lee. Tiene un gran sentido didáctico porque te incita a ponerte en marcha y a poner en práctica lo aprendido.
Esta edición, específicamente, es fácil de manejar, la Editorial San Pablo edita de manera útil y sencilla este tipo de documentos pastorales y pontificios.
Es una obra sencilla y corta, que puede abordar cualquier persona y que no conlleva mucho tiempo ni su lectura, ni su aprendizaje ni su meditación, pues se puede poner en práctica a medida que se lee. Tiene un gran sentido didáctico porque te incita a ponerte en marcha y a poner en práctica lo aprendido.
Esta edición, específicamente, es fácil de manejar, la Editorial San Pablo edita de manera útil y sencilla este tipo de documentos pastorales y pontificios.
November 26, 2018
This is an excellent (and short!) encyclical from Saint John Paul II that is a fruit of his lifelong love of the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. It beautifully describes how the prayer of the rosary is a way of meditating on the life of Christ through the eyes of His own mother.
This is also when he added the Luminous Mysteries to the Rosary and gives a good introduction to why he wanted to do this and how to contemplate them.
This is also when he added the Luminous Mysteries to the Rosary and gives a good introduction to why he wanted to do this and how to contemplate them.
September 9, 2023
Es una carta apostólica del Papa Juan Pablo ll
Escrita el 16 de octubre del año 2002, consiste en una reflexión sobre sus cinco misterios es una oración letaníca contemplativa, con base cristocéntrica El rosario es una oración orientada por su naturaleza hacia la paz, por el hecho mismo de que contempla a Cristo, Príncipe de la paz y " nuestra paz " El rosario tiende a interiorizar el misterio de Cristo.
Escrita el 16 de octubre del año 2002, consiste en una reflexión sobre sus cinco misterios es una oración letaníca contemplativa, con base cristocéntrica El rosario es una oración orientada por su naturaleza hacia la paz, por el hecho mismo de que contempla a Cristo, Príncipe de la paz y " nuestra paz " El rosario tiende a interiorizar el misterio de Cristo.
January 11, 2018
Uma reflexão extraordinária de João Paulo II sobre sua oração favorita. A oração do rosário é uma forma de contemplar Cristo pelos olhos de Maria. Quando entendemos essa fórmula simples, e profunda, um novo mundo se ilumina.
July 20, 2024
En esta carta Juan Pablo II explica aspectos que componen el rosario (tipos de misterios, ritmo, breve historia, el porqué de las decenas, jaculatorias, entre otros. Asimismo, presenta los misterios luminosos.
La explicación que brinda es muy buena. En algunos puntos menciona aspectos teológicos como la conexión cristológica y mariológica que se da en el rosario.
La explicación que brinda es muy buena. En algunos puntos menciona aspectos teológicos como la conexión cristológica y mariológica que se da en el rosario.
May 25, 2025
Cuán necesaria es esta oración como práctica meditativa de la fe cristiana. Mirar el rostro a través de la Madre. Gran resumen y exhortación del San Juan Pablo II al significado de su práctica y sus beneficios en una vida plena
October 28, 2025
Disertación sobre la oración del rosario mariano, como una devoción eminentemente crística. Un medio para llegar a Jesús a través de María, en la contemplación de los misterios de su vida terrena, la pasión y su resurrección.
May 31, 2017
En esta encíclica, San Juan Pablo II nos enseña el valor del Rosario como una potente herramienta de oración y de cercanía con la Virgen María y su Hijo Jesús.
April 29, 2018
Classic JPII.
September 28, 2018
Amazing, beautiful, practical.
Gazing on Jesus through the memories of Mary.
Changed the way I will pray the rosary.
Gazing on Jesus through the memories of Mary.
Changed the way I will pray the rosary.
October 10, 2020
Beautifully written. Accessible reading for anyone.
April 25, 2024
Krótkie, lecz treściwe wyjaśnienie sensu odmawiania różańca.
February 9, 2025
Clarificador.
March 3, 2020
This book changed how I approach the Rosary. It makes what was before to me just utterances into a meaningful conversation with Jesus through Mary. St. JPII puts a heavy emphasis on the mysteries and meditation upon them, and how the "compendium of the Gospel" can be woven into the daily rhythm of life.
December 16, 2014
This letter gave me a few new insights on the rosary: it's meaning, what it's power is to transform lives, and how we all must pick our rosaries back up. I learned that the rosary is a prayer that can lead us to change the world by reflecting on the life of Christ. For example, he SJPII spoke saying something to the effect of: how can we not be a Simon of Cyrene for others and see the face of Christ in those who are suffering? Read this, pick up your rosary, and pray it with your family, it will change you and draw you closer to Christ is another strong message I got.
October 15, 2019
St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae helps one to understand the rosary. It may inspire those who have grown tired of the rosary to reignite their love for it. It may inspire those who have never prayed the rosary to take up its practice as a source of meditation on the mysteries of the Christian faith and as an aid to salvation. I heartily recommend the letter and the rosary.
September 8, 2014
Este es un documento muy cortito que resume los pasos para rezar el Rosario. Su valor radica en la adhesión de los Misterios de Luz.
De mucha utilidad para recordar el valor de la meditación del Rosario en nuestras vidas.
De mucha utilidad para recordar el valor de la meditación del Rosario en nuestras vidas.
May 23, 2017
Rosarium Virginis Mariae nos ayuda a comprender el significado del rezo del Santo Rosario, invitándonos a profundizar y contemplar los misterios de la vida de Cristo.
August 20, 2007
Very good document on how Mary can lead us closer to her Son, Jesus
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews