Praying the Rosary with Cardinal Lavigerie – The Joyful Mysteries

Introduction:

It is under the special patronage of Mary that was placed the work of the Sisters Apostles of Equatorial Africa. It is also from Mary, that is, from her brilliant privileges and from her examples that have so contributed to raising the dignity of women in the world, that we can and should expect to see the raising of African women.

1. The Annunciation:

“Be joyful, Mary, God’s favored one. The Lord is with you.” Lk 1:28

The Queen of the Apostles received from the angel the announcement of the salvation of the world. May this thought be for you a hope: a hope that by joining your work, your sacrifice, your prayers to those of Jesus, you will obtain, as a new Esther, the salvation of the people for whom you pray.

2. The Visitation:

“Mary went in haste into the hill country, into a city of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” Luke 1:39

May God give you an ardent zeal for the salvation of souls, and also charity. Charity not only toward those to whom you will be sent but also among you; you are called Sisters, be truly that.

3. The Nativity:

“Behold, I proclaim to you Good News of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Christ the Lord.” Lk 2:10

The Son of God came down to earth to embrace poverty, and to show the love he had for her. He chose to be born in a stable, to have a crib as his cradle, to be wrapped in poor swaddling clothes and lie on the straw that served as bedding for animals. During his life, he had no place to lay his head and he died naked on a cross. This is the model of those who are voluntarily poor.

4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of Mary:

“Then came the day when according to the law of Moses the parents brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” Luke 2:22

The spirit of the congregation is thus a spirit of work, poverty and obedience and at the same time of charity and zeal for the salvation of the peoples of Africa.

5. Finding Jesus in the temple:

“After three days they found Jesus in the temple sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking them questions … Then he went down with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them.” Luke 2:46-51

Obedience is no less necessary than humility for a missionary sister. It is the virtue of which our Lord specifically gives the example because it is written in the Holy Gospels that he was subject to Joseph and Mary.

Rosary meditated and prepared by Sister Madeleine Gelinas
with texts from Scripture and from our founder, Charles Cardinal Lavigerie.