“The Rosary of Our Lord”

For them as wants it, there’s an approved and very traditional “Rosary of Our Lord” that was invented by Bl. Michele Pini, a Camaldolese monk of the early 1500′s.

His feast day is tomorrow!

(So yeah, I just happened to come across this thing’s existence today… yeah, nothing suspicious there… Keep whistling nonchalantly, Bl. Michele!)

Anyway, the Camaldolese order is very fond of the “Rosary of Our Lord,” also called the “Camaldolese Rosary,” “Camaldolese Crown”, or “the Crown of Our Lord.” It’s a lot better known in Italy or Spain than here, so here’s a precis of the instructions I found on a Rosary forum, about 3/4 of the way down the thread.

The Crown of Our Lord consists of 33 beads — 3 decades and 3 additional beads — commemorating the 33 years of the earthly life of Our Lord. Mostly it’s Our Fathers. Five “Hail Marys” are recited in honor of Mary and Our Lord’s five wounds. (Three “Glory Be” prayers are sometimes inserted at the end of decades to honor the Holy Trinity.) The Apostles’ Creed concludes the chaplet.

The longer form gives specific events of Our Lord’s life for every Our Father and Hail Mary.

The shorter form is this:

Sign of the Cross to start (of course).

One Hail Mary, ten Our Fathers, One Glory Be = 1 decade.

First decade: Events of Jesus’ childhood, and His humility and obedience.
Second decade: Events of Jesus’ hidden life as a young man and His public life.
Third decade: Events of Holy Week and Jesus’ Passion.

One Hail Mary, three Our Fathers and one Hail Mary = end prayers.

Meditate on events from Jesus’ Resurrection until the Ascension.

Apostle’s Creed.

V. We adore You, o Christ, and we bless You.
R. Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, in whose honor we have recited this Rosary, put Your Passion, Your Cross and Your Death between our souls and Your Judgment, now and at the hour of our death. And grant us grace and mercy; grant the faithful departed rest and pardon; grant Your Church peace and harmony; and to us sinners, forgiveness and eternal glory.

Who live and reign, world without end. Amen.