Luminous
A Catholic Woman and Her Thoughts on Life, the Universe, and Everything
Monday, February 02, 2009
The “Foundation of Life" Rosary
The "Foundation of Life" Rosary

In 1983 the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin put forward a beautiful, poetic, optimistic, altruistic idea he called the “Seamless Garment of Life”, which stated that as Catholics and simply as humans, we had an obligations to protect all aspects of life – from the unborn to the weakest of those in need in our society. He spoke of a “constant ethic of life”. It very quickly became twisted around by many trying to somehow equate all issues, as if murder were equal to hunger were equal to pollution were equal to sickness… and people were confused. Where do you draw the line? And the question needs to be asked once and for all – Why are we drawing a line? The most basic, fundamental foundation of all needs is life. You can’t have ANY other need, if you’re not alive. Even Cardinal Bernadin said so, in an interview in 1988; he was appalled at the way his ideas had been abused by politicians!

Here’s a real-life example for you - take a CPR course, and ask your instructor “what happens if I push too hard? Will I hurt the person?” And your instructor will laugh and tell you, “You can’t hurt them any worse, they’re having a heart attack, the heart has stopped, they’re already dead! You can't hurt them any worse! Do what you need to do!”  A fundamental fact – you have to be ALIVE to have any other needs. That’s the "firm foundation" that everything else is built on. LIFE!

So yes – all “life” issues are important. All the traditional corporal and spiritual Acts of Mercy that the Church has always taught are all important. THAT is the True seamless garment that we must all wear - feed hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, bury the dead. Admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and pray for the living and the dead.

Through using this rosary you maintain the witness that it provides. Those who don't recognize this rosary may ask, and therefore give you the opportunity to share with them your prayerful support of the Pro-Life Movement. Unite your witness with others as you pray it at rallies, as well as when you pray alone.

The Mysteries are the same, no matter what – Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious

…however, before you pray each Mystery, the intentions/meditations are as follows - you can pray this Rosary on an ordinary set of rosary beads, obviously - or you can create your own rosary with the beads colored as follows, with these intentions:

The colors are based on the liturgical colors of the Church:

White = Purity, Light, Innocence, Joy, Triumph, or Glory
Black = Mourning or sorrow
Red = The Blood of Christ, the blood of the holy martyrs, God’s Love, the fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Yellow (Gold) = Joy, Resurrection hope
Violet = Penance, humility, humbleness, meekness
Pink = Gaudet! Joy! Stands for hope, especially hope in the midst of regret, penance, or mourning
Green = Life eternal, the Holy Spirit, hope, growth
Above the Crucifix – White beads - for the Our Father and other white bead for the Glory Be - Pray on the Our Father for the Intentions of the Pope, and pray on the Glory Be bead that we all find the strength to respect life at all stages, from conception, to a natural death

On the three middle beads - 3 Black beads on the Hail Mary beads - prayers for increased Faith, Hope, and Charity, and for your specific personal intentions – if you know someone contemplating an abortion, or a person struggling with addiction, an elderly person in a nursing home, or a trouble teen, etc. now would be a good time to pray for them. Think of Our Lady of LaSalette, weeping for our sins, and always, always praying for us. Pray with her, for the reconciliation of sinners, and an increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity in us all.

=Meditations / Intentions =


Red - 1st Decade - In reparation for the sin of Abortion – let us pray - We bear the burden of this sin as a society, and we ask forgiveness for every drop of blood spilled, for every child killed by abortion. We pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect these most innocent of lives, all over the world. We pray for an end to abortion, and we vow to fight unjust laws that allow abuse of all life, whether these laws already exist and must be overturned; or new laws that are proposed that allow destruction and experimentation with helpless, innocent human lives, and must be prevented from being passed into laws. And we pray for our leaders, to have the courage to live out the faith they claim to have, to be fully people of God, protecting the unborn at all times. And we pray for the mothers of the unborn, that they will open their hearts to love, and to motherhood; and we pray for the fathers of the unborn, that they will also open their hearts to love, and the courage to be true men, and fathers to their children. And we pray for those in the prolife movement, Our Lady, give them strength and courage, to continue to carry out the mission of your most Holy Son all over the world, to protect these tiny, defenseless lives, that cannot speak, cannot cry out, and cannot protect themselves.


Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…


WHITE BEAD –And together we pray for the conversion of the mothers and fathers of these poor aborted babies, and we also pray in reparation for the sins of those who urged these mothers towards getting an abortion; coerced them, forced them, or offered them false "choices" that led only to death and despair. We pray for healing in their mind, hearts, and souls. May they realize the love that the Lord has for them, always, and come to Him for reconciliation and healing. And we also pray for the doctors, nurses, and staff of the abortion clinics; may they have a complete conversion of their minds, hearts and souls, and come to a full realization of the love that the Lord has for them, and run to His feet, and embrace Him fully. May Our Lady of Guadalupe shower them with her roses of winter, and take them by the hand, and lead them forward, to find peace only the Lord can offer them.


  • Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
  • Now announce the next Mystery
  • Pray the Our Father


Yellow - 2nd Decade – For those Abused and Neglected - we pray for the “silent” one, who never says a word about the terrors at home. We pray for the “clumsy” one who "falls a lot", and never tells anyone how she got the bruises. We pray for the “hungry” one who tries to take an extra piece of bread home in his pocket “for later”. We pray for the “angry” one, having “temper tantrums” – who cries, and then lashes out at others and doesn’t even know why, except his heart hurts so much all the time; we pray for the neglected, for the abused; for the poor our society neglects, for the homless, and for every child, woman, or man living in fear and loneliness - Mary, Queen of Families, surround them with your love, and comfort them! And we also pray for the abusers and the neglectful – that they may, through the intercession of our most precious Lady, turn towards our most merciful Lord Jesus and repent of their sins, and convert to a life of peace, health, and holiness. May they look into the eyes that Love the whole world, and may their hearts of stone melt. May their homes become havens of love, peace, and well-being. May they learn to offer up their lives to the Lord, and yearn to walk always in His Ways.

Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…

WHITE BEAD - We ask for peace and tranquility in homes, in hearts, and in the whole world. Where there is despair, let there be hope. Where there is darkness, let there be light. And where there is sadness, Oh please Lord of Love, let there be joy. Mary, Queen of Families, pray for peace.

  • Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
  • Now announce the next Mystery
  • Pray the Our Father


Violet - 3rd Decade - For those Addicted to substances or anything unhealthy in their lives, and also for those struggling with the challenges of Mental Health issues - may Mary's mantle surround them, may the Queen of Heaven and Earth lift them up, and lead them to her Son; may they run to her, and ask for her help always so that untold graces may pour down upon them - and may they open their hearts to the healing only Christ can bring. As they struggle with life’s challenges, Oh Lady of Good Remedy, our source of unfailing help, grant that those who are addicted and those who are afflicted with mental illnesses are comforted; bring healing to their body and mind. Touch their hearts, that they might seek reconciliation and forgiveness. May they be strengthened in spirit to endure their sufferings with patience and with fortitude. May they enjoy health of body, peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith and in the love of thy Son, Jesus Christ. May His Majesty guide them whithersoever He will: they are not their own, but His. Let them not be afraid of the Cross, and they will see how our Lord will help them to carry it, how joyfully they will advance, and what profit they will derive from it. May they truly learn that “all things are possible in God.”


Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…

WHITE BEAD - For the families and care-givers of those who are addicted or struggling to cope with mental health issues - may they too seek out Our Lady of Good Remedy, and let her strengthen them as they seek to encourage and support their loved ones, and all those whom they care for.

  • Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
  • Now announce the next Mystery
  • Pray the Our Father


Pink- 4th Decade – For the Elderly and the Sick - For those who are nearing the end of their lives, may they look with hope to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. May she be their strong walking staff when they stumble, their eyes when they cannot see, ears when they cannot hear, and may she take their hand and be their sure and unfailing guide as they carry this last Cross on the journey of life, as they yearn for Heaven, where youth and health is eternal. We also pray that those who care for the sick and the elderly, and pray that they will care for them with dignity. We ask that those confined to hospitals, nursing facilities, or their homes be free from isolation; may those who are sick, or hurting, or suffer incurable illness or degenerative disease receive the comfort and hope they need. May the sick and the elderly be led by the Holy Spirit to join their sufferings to that of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and may they offer up their suffering, in reparation for the sins of the world, for the conversion of sinners, and for the souls in Purgatory. And we pray that at the end of their lives, they will find peace naturally, with dignity, as the Lord comes to meet them, and that they will find joy in that meeting. God of Love, your Son became man and lived among us and acted not only as a healer of physical illness, but also as a physician of souls too. We ask you to have mercy on the souls of the elderly and the sick, and to comfort those who love and care for them.



Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…


WHITE BEAD - For the families, loved ones, and care providers - May Our Lady of Perpetual Help, bless them, lift them up, support them and encourage them. May they offer comfort and peace, and be willing to learn from the wisdom & years of experience of the elders that they care for, and may they learn the gentleness, patience and compassion that is beyond the human touch from the sick that they care for, as the grace of Our Lord pours down upon them, through the gentle hands of Our Lady, Our Mother.
  • Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
  • Now announce the next Mystery
  • Pray the Our Father



Green- 5th Decade – For the Prisoner - Locked into anger and bitterness, now often living in violence, isolation, and fear, we pray that they will look to Mary, Our Lady, of Fatima who urged us to pray for the conversion of the sinner each day. We are all sinners – but there are those who have cut themselves off from the Lord’s endless ocean of Mercy, out of their anger, their pain, their guilt, their fear, and their bitterness. We pray that they will reach out to Our Lady of Fatima for healing, hope, and peace, knowing that she too has known the agony of the sword that has pierced her heart, and can share their bitterness and pain – but that they will come to realize that she can shower them with grace, and grant them peace, if they would but ask - and that they will take her hand, and let her lead them to the Lord, and His Mercy will surround them, not His justice – they need not be afraid. We have all fallen short, we all sinners. Christ shed His blood for us all. Let us pray for the conversion of their mind, heart and souls, that none may be lost to the Lord. Let them hear the Good News of the Lord with open hearts, so that they may lay down their burdens at the foot of the Cross; opening their hearts to grace, and repenting, and so availing themselves of the endless mercy that the Lord so dearly wishes to bestow on them. May they come to learn that God withholds Himself from no one who perseveres. He will by little and little strengthen each soul who comes to Him in true repentance, so that it may come forth victorious.


Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…

(On the Center, since there is no 5th White bead) - For the families and loved ones these prisoners have left behind, and for the families and loved one's of their victims - May the peace and serenity that only Christ can grant them fill their minds, hearts, and souls. O Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for these families & loved ones. Hasten, O Lady, the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus and cease to offend God, already so much offended, and thus avoid eternal punishment. Turn thine eyes of mercy towards us so that henceforth we may love God with all our heart while on earth, and enjoy Him forever in Heaven. Amen.

  • Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
  • Hail Holy Queen
Let us pray. O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.



Written and designed by Lisa Alekna MI, of Massachusetts – on 1/26/2007 – the feast day of St. Timothy, St. Titus and St. Paula of Rome; updated & revised on 6/6/07 – the feast day of St. Marcelino Champagnat – and finally on May 22, 2009, the feast day of St. Rita of Cascia, the Patron Saint of Impossible Things - may these, and all the saints, blessed, and faithful departed pray for us, and for all these souls who cry out to the Lord in their misery and sorrow, looking for hope, comfort, mercy, and joy, that only the Lord can bring.
Lisa is a Counselor and is a consecrated member of the Militia of the Immaculata of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and is devoted to the Pro-Life Movement. She also designs and creates Rosaries, which she freely shares with any who wishes to have one

 Download this as a Word Document

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Written at 6:29 PM by Luminaria2112.
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Friday, November 02, 2007
The "Firm Foundation of Life" Rosary

I originally wanted to write a set of "pro-life" rosary meditations - but then it occurred to me that what I really wanted to pray about were all the issues that came before my heart, especially through my work in the emergency room - working with not only those in crisis pregnancies, but also the mentally ill, and the homeless, and with those suffering with despair, and those addicted to alcohol, and substances, and all the other challenges they brought to me when they told me all the stories of their lives when we spoke, when they came looking for help, and for comfort.

So - and so I wrote these meditations, to go along with the standard Mysteries of the Rosary.

It starts off with a Pro-Life Meditation, praying for repentance for our society and the sin of abortion, as well as conversion of the hearts of the parents who are considering abortion, and also for those who have had an abortion. Then next, are prayers for the Abused and Neglected, then to prayers for those Addicted and for the Mentally Ill. Next are prayers for the Elderly and the Sick, and finally we pray for the Prisoner as well as for Victims of crime and violence. Each has a lovely graphic representation of the Blessed mother, each meditation is on it's own page, for ease of meditation on each topic.

This link will take you to the Word Document, online.

http://mercychaplet.home.comcast.net/firm_foundation.doc

I hope you find these meditations useful as you pray.

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Written at 3:02 AM by Luminaria2112.
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