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How to Use A Rosary Litany

Saint Louis de Montfort encouraged the addition of one phrase, which is listed separately from the ten other phrases proposed by this book for directed meditation. If one would like to use the Saint Louis de Montfort suggestion, simply omit one of the ten listed. Also, it should be noted that the Luminous Mysteries were added by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002, so there is no suggested phrase from Saint Louis de Montfort. Some mysteries contain alternative invocations which could be substituted for those enumerated.

Some invocations are written in the style using the word “who.” These invocations could be rephrased at the discretion of the devotee. “Thy womb Jesus, who met John the Baptist” could be modified to “thy womb Jesus, meeting John the Baptist”; or “thy womb Jesus, who prayed all might be one” could be modified to “thy womb Jesus, praying all might be one.”

Here are three different ways A Rosary Litany could be used:

1. All ten invocations for each mystery could be used during the recitation of the Rosary. In this way, the devotion truly becomes like a litany. When praying each of the ten Hail Marys, insert the “litany invocation” after “thy womb Jesus” or “Mother of God.” In some cases, the Marian reference modifies “Holy Mary, Mother of God.”

2. A person could choose to use one or two of the phrases at one time, thereby spreading the phrases over a period of a few weeks. The repetition of a specific phrase over and over again makes it resonate within the prayerful meditation. In one sense, the invocation becomes an earnest plea or desire. It is possible that while you use A Rosary Litany a certain invocation may become your favorite and you will use it every time when reflecting on the mystery.

3. Saint John Paul recommended this practice for the public recitation of the Rosary. There are two ways which this can be accomplished. First, the leader may invoke the name of Jesus and the additional clause, and everyone else picks up with “Holy Mary, Mother of God.” When the clause comes after Mary’s name, the group could lead the first part of the Hail Mary, and the leader, the second part with the modifying phrase. If each person praying the Rosary has a book to guide them, a second way is possible; the entire group can begin with the clause after Jesus’ name, continuing then with the rest of the Hail Mary.

Let us pray that this small Rosary devotional can help renew devotion to Our Lady’s Rosary, for it is a tried-and-true devotion of our faith.