The Origin of the holy Rosary

THis holy Company was begun by S. Dominick , founder of the renowned Religious order of the Friar Preachers , about the year 1216. to extirpate the Heresie of the Albigenses , as it did ; and afterwards , brought such fruit to the Church of God , that Popes , the more to recommend and make it famous , have endowed it with many priviledges and indulgences , as you shall here see .

At their first entrance or admittance .

Entring into this noble Confraternity , they gaine a plenary Indulgence , granted by the Popes , Pius V. & Clement VIII .

The first Sundayes of the month .

Every first Sunday of the Month , ( principally of October-having confessed & communicated , thy gain a plenary Indulgence . Also visiting the Church or being present at the Processions of the Rosary , a plenary indulgence . Greg. XIII Paul V.

Vpon the seaven feasts of our Lady .

On the Purification , Annunciation , Visitation , Assumption , Nativity , Presentation , and Conception of the Blessed Virgin , being confessed and communicated , or having a will to do it in due time , a plenary indulgence . Also , visiting the Church , or being present at the Processions of the Rosary , a plenary indulgence . Pius IV.

To every Mystery of the holy Rosary .

They are fifteen , devided into three parts . Five , are c●lled joyful , whereon they are to meditate in saying the first Chapler ( or Beads of five Decads of our Lady , the Annunciation , Visitation of S. Elizabeth , Nativity of our Saviour , his Presentation , and the Finding of him in the Temple ; Five , called dolorous , in saying the second Chaplet , the sweat of Bloud , Whipping at the pillar , crowning with thornes , larrying of his Crosse and Crucifixion ; and , Five glorious , in saying the third Chaplet , the Resurrection , Ascension , coming of the Holy Ghost , Assumption of our blessed Lady , and her Coronation : Upon all , and every the feasts of which Mysteries , as also on the celebrity of the crown of our Saviour , the Invention and Exaltation of the holy Crosse , and the day of all Saints , visiting the Alter of the Rosary , may be gained , a plenary Indulgence . Greg. 9.

Of the Masse of the holy Rosary .

Every time that one sayeth it , causeth it to be sayd , or is present at it , a plenary Indulgence . Alex. VI. Paul . III.

For saying and carrying the Rosary about one .

Saying the whole Rosary , they gain three hundred sixty thousand and fifteen yeares , five quarantaines , and a hundred fourty dayes pardon . Innoc . 8. Alex. 8. Clem. 5. Adrian . 6. Sixt. 4. Clem. 8. Alex. and Raimond Legats . And , which is more , a plenary indulgence . Paul . 3.

Carrying publikely , and for to give good example , the Rosary or Chaplet blessed by a Dominican Friar , they gain every day two hundred quarantaines of indulgence . Inno. 8. Alex. 6.

Indulgences of the Stations of Rome , which every day are plenary , in one part or other of the Citty , with delivery also of soules out of Purgatory .

THey are gained by visiting five Altars , and saying before every one of them five Pater nosters , and five Ave Marias , or else , five and twenty Paters and Ave , before one only Altar , if there be no more . Paul 3. Clement 8. Yea , it suffiseth to say only five Paters and Aves , but before an Altar of the Rosary . Pius . 5.

At the discretion of the Brothers of the Confraternity .

Twice in their life , on the dayes they please to make choice of , being confessed and communicated , they may gain a plenary indulgence . Innoc. 8. Clement 8.

The Salve Regina .

Hearing the Salve Regina after Complet in the Churches of S. Dominick , a hundred yeares and fourty dayes of Indulgence . Paul . 5. Alex. Legat.

Doing of good workes .

Every time they visit the Chappell of the holy Rosary , or goe to see the sick exhorting them to receive the Sacraments , a hundred and sixty dayes of Indulgence . Greg. 13. Clement 8.

Being present at the divine Offices , publike or private assemblies of the Rosary , making peace between those who are at discord , and , whatsoever other good work , sixty dayes of pardon . Clement 8.

For those who are sick or hindred .

The sick , or such as for other lawful impediments , cannot be present at the meeting of the Confraternity , communicating , and saying the Rosary , or seaven Psalmes , before some devout picture , gain all the same indulgences , which they get who are assistant . Pius 5. Greg. 13. Sixt. 5.

At the hour of death .

At the hour of death , being confessed and communicated , a plenary Indulgence . Having the blessed candle of the Confraternity , a plenary Indulgence . Saying with mouth or heart JESUS MARIA , a plenary Indulgence ; and , such an absolution as one is thereby restored , to the purity and innocency which he had by baptisme . Innoc. 8. Adrian 6. Greg. 13. Pius 5.

For the Dead .

Accompaning the Dead to their buriall , a hundred sixty dayes of Indulgence . Greg. 13. Clement 8. Being present at the Masses and Offices of the Dead , they gain five thousand four hundred yeares , and a hundred and fourty dayes pardon . Sixt. 4. Alex. 6. Greg. 13. Clem. 8 , Every time they say the whole Rosary , they gain the delivery of a soul out of Purgatory . Paul 3. Whosoever of the forenamed on fraternity , sayeth , causeth to be said , or is present when one saith Masse of the Rosary , to that intention , delivereth a soul out of Purgatory . Paul 5. All the pardons granted to the living , may be applyed to the Dead , by communicating , saying the Rosary , Masse , or making the stations for them . Leo 10.

For all Faithful people .

At the sound of the Ave Maria at night , saying :

Angelus Domini nunciavit Mariae , & concepit de Spiritu Sancto : Ave Maria. Ecce ancilla Domini : fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum , Ave Maria. Et verbum caro factum est , & habitavit in nobis : Deo gratias , Ave Maria ; They gain a plenary Indulgence . Paul 3. When the hour striketh , by saying an Ave Maria , a thousand dayes pardon . Leo 10. Saying the Office of our blessed Lady , at every Canonicall hour , they gain fourty dayes of Indulgence . John . 22. and other fifty granted by Pius 5. Invoking the holy names of JESUS and MARIA , ninety five dayes of pardon . Urban . 4. John 22. Pius 5. Bending reverently at the hearing or pronouncing of the said holy names of JESUS and MARIA , two hundred yeares , In the Ave maria , after Jesus adding Christus , sixty dayes pardon , saying withall the rest of the same , Sancta Maria , and the Salve Regina . As also standing up at Magnificat , fourty dayes of pardon . John 22. Reciting the prayer Ave Sanctissima Maria , eleven thousand yeares of Indulgences , granted by Sixtus 4. Saying : Blessed and praised be the most holy Virgin Marie , a hundred yeares of Indulgences . Paul 3.

Triviledges of the Confraters .

THey are as Religious of the holy Order S. Dominick , and ( besides their own ) are partakers of all the good works of that renowned Religion , the whole world through both before and after Death . A rare priviledge . Innoc. 8. At Easter , Nativity , Annunciation , Visitation , Purification , and Assumption of our Lady , and three dayes before , the Dominican Fathers may absolve them from all cases reserved , even to the Pope , ( so they be not comprehended In Bulla Coenae ) and release them of all oathes , and change their vowes , except the five ordinary . Leo 10. Being Dead , they have at least four Masses a year said for them in the Convents of S. Dominick , and places where there is a Confraternity ; And who shall be there present the dayes after the Purification , Annunciation , Assumption , and Nativity of our Lady , shall gain a thousand nine hundred dayes of pardon . Granted by nineteen Cardinals of the said Confraternity , in the year 1479.

Conditions requisite for Admittance .

They must make their names be writ in a book kept for that end , confesse and communicate , and say at least a Chaplet or pair of Beads of five decads . Pius 5. If one should cause Children to be admitted , of such as were absent , or dead , ( a thing very frequent ) he were not at all obliged , either for them , or for himself , under pain of sin , nor bound to pay ought , without he freely of h●● own accord should please to bestow it . They are to say three pair of Beads the week of five Decads , or their Chaplet , at one or more times . Paul 3. And that in such a place , and posture of body , as they themselves please , and when they omit to say them , though there be no offence , yet gain they not the pardons for that time . Yet , in case , they have said , or shall say them double , ( that is , twice so many Chaplets , or Beades of five Decads , ) the week before , or after , or should cause any other of the Confraternity to say them for them , they should not loose the pardons . An easy matter to do .

All the aforesaid matters are gathered out of authentick bookes and buls confirmed by Paulus V. 1608. bulla cumolim foelic . record .

A prayer against the plague taken out of the chronicle of the Seraphical order of the fryers Minors written by the Reverend Father Francis Genzaga of the same Order .

THe whole City of Conimbris , being visited with a most grievous plague this place also ( that is to say the Monastery of those sisters of S. Clare who are termed the urbanist nuns ) began to be infected ; and whilst the Abbesse stood very solicitous at the grace . for the disposall of the sisters subjected un to her , to some place , for the safety of their lives ; then suddenly appeared a begger , demanding the cause of her so great sorrow and solicitude ? and being thereof certified , he delivered , her a small scroul of parchment , saying , If you will cause , the Anthemne and the prayer contained in that small scroul , to be often and daily repeated ; this place shall not be touched with any plague at all , and having thus spoken , he vanished away ; the nuns took this begger to be S. Bartholomew ; but whosoever that was ; without all doubt it is ; that the monastery from that time , stood free from any pestiferous contagion ; when the City of Conimbris it self stood infected .

The Prayer .

STella Coeli extirpavit , quae lactavit Dominum , mortis pestem quam plantavit primus parens hominum . Ipsa stella nunc dignetur sydera compescere , quorum bella plebem caedunt dirae mortis ulcere , O piissima stella Maris , a peste sucurre nobis . Audi nos domina ; nam filius tuus nihil negans te honorat . Salva nos Jesu , pro quibus virgo mater te orat .

Vers . Ora pro nobis sancta Dei genitrix .

Resp. Ut digni efficiamur promissonibus Christi .

Oremus . DEus misericordiae , Deus pietatis , Deus indulgentiae , qui misertus es super afflictionem populi tui , & dixisti Angelo percutienti populum tuum ; contine manum tuam : ob amorem illius stellae gloriosae , cujusubera pretiosa contra venenum nostrorum , delictorum quam dulciter suxisti , praesta auxilium gratiae tuae : Et ab omnipeste & improvisa morte secure liberemur , & a totius perditionis incursu misericorditer salvemur . Per te Jesu Christe Rex gloriae , qui vivis & regnas in saecula saeculorum .

Resp. Amen .

The starr of heaven ( that gave suck to our Lord ) extirped the plague of death , which the first parent of men planted ; let that starr now be pleased to appease the skyes , whose distemperature , Killeth the people with an ulcer of dreadfull death .

O most holy starre of the sea preserve us from the plague , hear us OB. Lady , for thy son , denying thee not any thing , honoureth thee , save us O Jesu for whom the Virgin Mother prayeth thee .

Vers . Pray for us O holy Mother of God .

Resp. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ .

Let us Pray . O God of mercy , God of pity , God of pardon , which hast mercy upon the affliction of thy people , and said to the Angel wounding the people , hold thy hand , even for the love of that glorious starr , whose pretious brests , against the venime of our sins , thou didst most sweetly suck , vouchsafe us , the help of thy grace , that we may be safely delivered , from all plague & unprovided death , and that we may be mercifully saved from the assault of all perdition ; through thee JESUS CHRIST , King of Glory , who livest and Reignest world without end . Amen .

A Prayer to S. Francis .

HAyl O holy Father S. Francis , the light of the Countrey , the forme of the minors , the mirour of vertues , the way of right , the rule of manners ; bring us from the exile of flesh , to the Kingdome of heaven .

Vers . Pray for us holy S. Francis .

Resp. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ .

Let us Pray . O God which dost by the merits of S. Francis enlarge thy Church , with the fruit of a new issue , grant us , by his imitation to despise worldly matters , and continually to enjoy the participation of heavenly guifts : through Christ our Lord . Amen .

LITANIES of our B. Lady . Kyrie eleison . Lord have mercy upon us . Christe eleison . Christ have mercy upon us . Kyrie eleison . Lord have mercy upon us . Christe audi nos . Christ hear us . Christe exaudi nos . Christ graciously hear us . Pater de coelis Deus . Miserere nobis . God the Father of Heaven , have mercy upon us . Fili Redemptor mundi Deus miserere nobis . God the Son Redeemer of the world have mercy upon us . Spiritus sancte Deus miserere nobis . God the holy Ghost have mercy upon us . Sancta Trinitas unus Deus Miserere nobis . Holy Trinity one God , have mercy upon us . Sancta Maria , ora pro nobis . Holy Mary , pray for us . Sancta Dei Genitrix ora . Holy Mother of God , pray . Sancta Virgo Virginum , ora . Holy Virgin of Virgins , pray . for us . Mater Christi , ora . Mother of Christ , pray . Mater Divinae gratiae , ora . Mother of Divine grace , pray . Mater purissima , ora . Most pure Mother , pray . Mater Castissima , ora . Most chast Mother , pray . Mater inviolata , ora . Undefiled Mother , pray . Mater intemerata , ora . Untouched Mother , pray , Mater Amabilis , ora . Amiable Mother , pray . Mater Admirabilis , ora . Admirable Mother , pray . Mater Creatoris , ora . Mother of our Creatour , pray . Mater Salvatoris , ora . Mother of our Saviour , pray . Virgo prudentissima , ora . Most prudent Virgin , pray . Virgo veneranda , ora . Venerable Virgin , pray . Virgo praedicanda , ora . Renowned Virgin pray . Virgo potens , ora . Potent Virgin , pray . Virgo clemens , ora . Clement Virgin , pray . Virgo fidelis , ora . Faithfull Virgin , pray . Speculum justitiae , ora . Mirour of Justice , pray . Sedes sapientiae , ora . Seat of Wisdome , pray . Causa nostrae laetitiae , ora . Cause of our gladnesse , pray . Vas Spirituale , ora . Spirituall vessell , pray . Vas insigne devotionis , ora . Vessell of Singular devotion , pray . Rosa Mistica , ora . Misticall Rose , pray . Turris Davidica , ora . Towre of David , pray . Turris Eburnea , ora . Towre of Ivory , pray . Domus Aurea , ora . House of Gold , pray . Foederis Arca , ora . Ark of the Covenant , pray . Janua Coeli , ora . Gate of Heaven , pray . Stella Matutina , ora . Morning starr , pray . Salus infirmorum , ora . Health of the weak , pray . Refugium peccatorum , ora . Refuge of Sinners , pray . Consolatrix Afflictorum , ora . Comfort of the afflicted , pray . for us . Auxilium Christianorum , ora . pro nobis . Help of Christians , pray . Regina Angelorum , ora . Queen of Angels , pray . Regina Patriarcharum , ora . Queen of Patriarchs , pray . Regina Prophetarum , ora . Queen of Prophets , pray . Regina Apostolorum , ora . Queen of Apostles , pray . Regina Martyrum , ora . Queen of Martyrs , pray . Regina Confessorum , ora . Queen of Confessours , pray . Regina Virginum , ora . Queen of Virgins , pray . Regina Sanctorum omnium ora pro nobis . Queen of all Saints , pray . Regina Sanctissimi Rosarii , ora pro nobis . Queen of the most Blessed Rosary , pray . Agnus Dei , qui tollis peccata mundi , Parce nobis Domine . Lamb of God , who taketh away the sins of the world , Spare us O Lord , Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi , Exaudi nos Domine Lamb of God who taketh away the sins af the world , Hear us O Lord . Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi , Miserere nobis . Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world , Have mercy upon us . Christe audi nos . Christ hear us . Christe exaudi nos . Christ gratiously hear us . Kyrie eleison . Lord have mercy upon us . Christe eleison . Christ have mercy upon us . Kyrie eleison . Lord have mercy upon us .

WEe fly unto thy protection O holy Mother of God , despise not our prayers in our necessities , but deliver us continually from all dangers ; O glorious and Blessed Virgin .

Vers . Pray for us O holy Mother of God .

Resp. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ .

Let us pray . O God who under the misticall Rosary of the Mother of God , dost represent unto us all the misteries of thy life , death and glory ; grant that whomsoever we do get to be of this plantation , may be crowned with a triumphant garland of the heavenly Garden ; who livest and reignest for ever and ever Amen .