The Carthusian Rosary

This form of the Rosary, also known as the Life of Christ Rosary, was written by the Carthusian monk Dominic of Prussia near the end of the fourteenth century.  Its use is much more flexible than the more common Dominican Rosary; the entire fifty Hail Marys do not have to be said for it to be valid.  The opening and closing prayers are likewise optional.

Begin with:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and every shall be, world without end.  Amen.

For each of the fifty small beads, say the following:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, 

Conclude this with one of the following themes, after which say, "Amen.  Alleluia."  For example, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, conceived of the Holy Spirit during the Annunciation of the Angel.  Amen.  Alleluia."

1. Jesus, conceived of the Holy Spirit during the Annunciation of the Angel.

2. Jesus, who together with you who has conceived him, visits Saint Elizabeth.

3. Jesus, to whom you, virgin in body and soul, have given birth with joy.

4. Jesus, whom you have fed from your virginal breast, adoring in him the creator.

5. Jesus, whom you have swaddled in clothes and placed him in a crib.

6. Jesus, whom the Angels celebrated singing Gloria in excelsis and the shepherds visited in Bethlehem.

7. Jesus, who received his circumcision on the eighth day, and was given the name of Jesus.

8. Jesus, whom the Magi adored while filling him with gifts.

9. Jesus, who was carried by you to the Temple and presented to God, his Father.

10. Jesus, who was received in the arms of old Simeon, and recognized by the holy widow, Anna.

11. Jesus, with whom you fled into Egypt, because of Herod’s persecution.

12. Jesus, with whom you returned home seven years later, as told by the Angel.

13. Jesus, lost in Jerusalem when he was twelve years old, and found again in the temple after three days.

14. Jesus, who each day grew further in age and grace before God and men.

15. Jesus, whom John had baptized in the Jordan and shown out to be the Lamb of God.

16. Jesus, who, having fasted for forty days in the desert, has won over the temptations put to him by the Enemy.

17. Jesus, who, after having chosen the disciples, preached the kingdom of God.

18. Jesus, who opened the eyes of the blind, healed lepers, rose to their feet paralyzed persons and freed those possessed by the devil.

19. Jesus, whose feet were washed with Mary Magdalene’s tears, dried with her hair, anointed with her perfume.

20. Jesus, who rose Lazarus and other persons who were dead.

21. Jesus, triumphally acclaimed by his people on Palm Sunday.

22. Jesus, who in the Last Supper instituted the sacrament of his Body and Blood.

23. Jesus, who in the garden, after having prayed for long, sweat profuse blood.

24. Jesus, who, meeting his enemies, gave up himself willingly in their hands.

25. Jesus, captured and bound with force by those sent by the Jews, was so led to the high priest.

26. Jesus, who, being falsely accused, was blindfolded, hit and covered with spit.

27. Jesus, before Caiphas and Pilate, is given the burden of the cross to bear like a malefactor.

28. Jesus, has his clothes taken off and is cruelly whipped on order given by Pilate.

29. Jesus, crowned with thorns, is covered with a purple mantle and hailed king by mocking soldiers.

30. Jesus, who is condemned to a wicked death and led to face torment between two thieves.

31. Jesus, nailed to the cross and made to drink gall and vinegar.

32. Jesus, while praying for his murderers, said:  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”

33. Jesus, who said to the thief who was crucified on his right hand:  “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in heaven.”

34. Jesus, who said to you, his Mother:  “Mother, here is your son”; and to John: “Here is your Mother.”

35. Jesus, who cried from the cross:  “My God, my God, why have you abandoned Me?”

36. Jesus, who said:  “I thirst!” and after having tasted the vinegar cried out:  “It is all accomplished.”

37. Jesus, who at the end cried out”  “Father, in you hands I put my spirit.”

38. Jesus, who for us, poor sinners, has suffered a cruel and painful death.

39. Jesus, whose side was pierced with a spear, pours out Blood and Water for the forgiveness of our sins.

40. Jesus, whose sacred body was brought down from the cross, was received in your arms according to a pious saying.

41. Jesus, whose body was wrapped in a sheet and wrapped with herbs and spices was laid in the grave by holy men.

42. Jesus, whose grave was sealed and guards put beside it by the Jews.

43. Jesus, whose holy soul descended to Hades, to conduct the holy patriarchs to heaven.

44. Jesus, who rose from the dead on the third day, filling you, his holy Mother, with an ineffable joy.

45. Jesus, who after his Resurrection appeared frequently to his disciples and friends to strengthen their faith.

46. Jesus, who, before you and his apostles, ascended into heaven and is sitting on the right hand of the Father.

47. Jesus, who, as he had promised, sent the Holy Spirit on his apostles on Pentecost Sunday.

48. Jesus, who has finally called you to him, oh sweet Mother of his, placing you on his right hand and crowning you with glory.

49. Jesus, who wants to call us after this miserable life, us servants of his and yours, and receive us in his Father’s Kingdom.

50. Jesus, who reigns together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and with you most Holy Mother, triumphant and glorious forever.

Upon concluding your prayers, say:

Oh Immaculate, ever blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God; oh Temple of God, the most beautiful of all temples; oh Doorway of the Kingdom of Heaven through which the whole world has been saved, do hear me mercifully, and become my sweet protectress, for me a poor and wretched sinner. Be my help in all my needs. Amen.