We hear over and over from the Popes, especially after the Second Vatican Council, that Catholics should know the basic prayers in Latin. I can think of know easier way, practically speaking, to attain this goal asked of us by the Holy Father than to recite the Holy Rosary in Latin.
Many forget that when praying the Holy Rosary, our focus should be directed towards the Mystery being prayed or meditated on, and not on the words of the prayer being said. It is easy to fall into a greater consideration of the words rather than the mystery if one is praying in a language that they understand.
So praying the Holy Rosary in Latin allows for one to learn the prayers requested by the Holy Father and also to meditate more precisely on the Mysteries of the Rosary.
Included below are the prayers to begin this practice today:
Sign of the Cross:
In nómine Pátris et Fílii et Spíritus Sáncti. Amen.
Apostles Creed
Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus et sepultus. Descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis. Ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dextram Dei Patris omnipotentis. Inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. * Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.
Our Father
Pater noster, qui es in caelis: Sanctificetur nomen tuum: Adveniat regnum tuum: Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra. * Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie: Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
Hail Mary
Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. * Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
Glory Be
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. * Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
O My Jesus (Optional; requested by Our Lady of Fatima)
Domine Jesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferni, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.
Hail Holy Queen
Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae; vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficamur promissionibus Christi.
O God Whose Only Begotten Son (Optional)
Deus, cuius Unigenitus per vita, mortem et resurrectionem suam nobis salutis aeternae praemia comparavit: concede, quaesumus; ut, haec mysteria sacratissimo beatae Mariae Virginis Rosario recolentes. et imitemur quod continent, et quod promittunt, assequamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Little children can learn this!! I've heard it with my own ears!!
**Note** Do NOT forget to pray an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father in order to gain the Rosary Indulgence (under the usual conditions). The indulgence may be applied to the your own soul or the Church Suffering.
