John Paul II – *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* (2002): original Latin text and the luminous mysteries.

The luminous mysteries of the *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* (2002) represent the greatest reform of the Rosary in centuries. This apostolic letter by Saint John Paul II – *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* – adds five new luminous mysteries to the traditional prayer. We present the original Latin text with a Portuguese translation for meditation on the luminous mysteries.The Apostolic Letter *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* (October 16, 2002) by Saint John Paul II is a major mariological document from the Magisterium concerning the Rosary, following *Marialis Cultus* (1974). It added the *Luminous Mysteries* to the traditional fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, expanding it to twenty. There is already a post about this document *here*; this post complements the previous one with the full Latin text of the Introduction extracted from the *Enchiridion Vaticanum* vol. 21 (2002), paragraphs 1167ss.Collection: *Enchiridion Vaticanum* vol. 21, paragraphs 1167-1300+Pope: Saint John Paul IIDocument: Apostolic Letter *Rosarium Virginis Mariae*Date: October 16, 2002 (24th anniversary of papal election)Innovation: Introduction of the *Luminous Mysteries* to the Rosary.

Text – Part 1:

Latin:…Mariae ipsius oratio, perennis eius cantus Magnificat, propter Incarnationis redimentis opus in virginali ipsius sinu inceptum. Christianus populus per illud Mariae ingreditur scholam ut ad contemplationem se perduci sinat venustatis vultus Christi nec non ad magnitudinis amoris illius experientiam. Nam per Rosarium abundantiam gratiarum credens fidelis haurit quasi ipsis de manibus Matris Redemptoris eas suscipiens.English:…Maria’s own prayer, her perpetual song of Magnificat, because of the redemptive work of the Incarnation begun in her virgin womb. The Christian people, through her, enters Mary’s school in order to learn to contemplate the beauty of Christ’s face and to experience the magnitude of his love. Indeed, through the Rosary, the believing faithful receives the abundance of graces as if from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.Latin:Tot Nostri Decessores magnum huic precationi adsignaverunt momentum. Qua in re optime meritus est Pontifex Leo XIII qui Kalendis Septembribus anno MDCCCLXXXIII, Encyclicas Litteras Supremi apostolatus officio emisit declarationem quidem celsam qua alias simul praenuntiavit sententias hac de Mariali precatione, cum eam efficax designaret spiritale instrumentum contra societatis mala. Recentiores vero inter Pontifices Concilii tempore, qui Rosarii fautores eminuerunt, commemorare cupimus beatum Ioannem XXIII, at in primis Paulum VI qui sua in Apostolica Adhortatione *Marialis cultus* indolem evangelicam Rosarii eiusque notionem christologicam extulit cum Concilii Oecumenici Vaticani II hortationibus consentiens.English:Many of our predecessors have given great importance to this prayer. In this regard, special mention deserves Pope Leo XIII, who on 1st September 1883, with the Encyclical *Supremi apostolatus officio*, issued a truly solemn declaration, with which at the same time he announced other of his statements on this Marian prayer, indicating it as an effective spiritual instrument against the evils of society. Among the most recent Popes, from the time of the Council, who have distinguished themselves as promoters of the Rosary, we wish to remember Pope John XXIII, but above all Paul VI who in his Apostolic Exhortation *Marialis cultus* presented the evangelical spirit of the Rosary and its Christological notion in accordance with the exhortations of the Second Vatican Council.

The document greatly exalted the evangelical nature of the Rosary and its Christological character, in accordance with the exhortations of the Second Vatican Council.

Latin Text – n. 3: John Paul II’s Personal Devotion

Moreover, we have not missed any opportunity to encourage the frequent recitation of the Rosary. Since my youthful years, this prayer has held a prominent place in my spiritual life. It recalled to me the recent trip to Poland and especially the blessing at the Shrine of Calvary. In times of joy as in times of sorrow, this prayerful crown accompanied me, to it I entrusted so many concerns, in it I always found great consolation.

Twenty-four years ago, on October 29, 1978, just two weeks after my election to the See of Peter, opening almost entirely our hearts, we said: «The Rosary is my most beloved prayer!»…

The Luminosity Mysteries, a Great Innovation

The major innovation of the Rosarium Virginis Mariae was the addition of the five Luminosity Mysteries:

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan (Mt 3:13-17)
2. The Manifestation of Jesus at the Wedding in Cana (Jn 2:1-12)
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, Inviting Conversion (Mk 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Lk 9:28-36)

The Institution of the Eucharist (Luke 22, 14-20)With this addition, the traditional fifteen mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious) became twenty mysteries. The Luminous Mysteries are recited on Thursdays.Daily Distribution of the Mysteries (after 2002)| Day | Mysteries | |—|—| | Monday | Joyful | | Tuesday | Sorrowful | | Wednesday | Glorious | | Thursday | Luminous (new) | | Friday | Sorrowful | | Saturday | Joyful | | Sunday | Glorious |The Year of the Rosary (Oct. 2002 – Oct. 2003)Pope John Paul II proclaimed the year October 2002 to October 2003 as the “Year of the Rosary”, the first such year in the history of the Church. He called on the whole Church to:– Pray the Rosary daily – Promote the Rosary in families and parishes – Deepen the theology of the Rosary as a Christian contemplation of Christ’s face – Pray for world peace and the familyMariological SignificanceThe *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* is John Paul II’s final major mariological document before his death in 2005. It synthesizes his mariology into seven points:– Christology: The Rosary is a contemplation of the “face of Christ” in the school of Mary. – Mariology: Mary as pedagogue and mediator of graces – Eclesiology: The Rosary as a prayer of the universal Church – Spirituality: The Rosary as mystical contemplation – Pastoral: The Rosary in the family, parish, and personal life – Ecumenical: The Rosary as a bridge to the Eastern Churches (Theotokos) – Personal: John Paul II’s own experience as a devotee of the RosaryAdditional Reading– *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* – original post – *Marialis Cultus* – *Leão XIII – As Treze Encíclicas do Rosário* (Leão XIII – The Thirteen Encyclicals on the Rosary) – *Supremi Apostolatus 1883* (1883 – On the Devotion to the Holy Rosary) – *São Pio V e o Rosário de Lepanto* (St. Pius V and the Rosary of Lepanto)