Now you are ready to chant the Rosary. The diagram below is like the one in Lesson IV showing the Complete Rosary. This time, however, the diagram is shown in Latin.
Use this diagram as a guide. As you practice chanting the Rosary, check yourself against the diagram to ensure that you are chanting the correct prayers on the appropriate beads, and meditating upon the appropriate themes at the appropriate times.
TO SEE THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THIS DIAGRAM, GO HERE.
Timesaving Tips
One problem with singing the Rosary in Gregorian chant is that singing takes a lot longer than recitation. If you try to chant every single prayer on the Rosary, you will spend hours trying to get through a single chaplet. Most of us do not have that kind of time to devote to daily prayer.
Alternate Between Sung and Spoken Prayer
Through much trial and error, I managed to develop a time-saving method of chanting the Rosary which usually takes 45-60 minutes, depending upon my degree of focus and concentration. The trick is to alternate between sung and spoken prayers. For instance, when praying the decades of Ave Marias, I sing only the tenth bead in Gregorian chant. The first nine beads I recite.
In Spoken Prayer, Alternate Between English and Latin
Alternating between English and Latin does not help you pray the Rosary faster, but it does help you remember the lessons you have learned, and avoid the need for frequent review. I discovered that, if I pray my Rosary exclusively in Latin for even a few weeks, I find myself stumbling and hesitating when I try to repeat the same prayers in English (and vice versa, of course). Alternating between English and Latin whenever you pray the Rosary keeps both versions fresh in your mind.
When Praying in Latin, Always Pray Both Spoken and Sung Versions
Again, this technique will not increase the speed of your Rosary prayer, but it will save you from having to make frequent reviews of past lessons. I discovered that, if I always sing a prayer in Latin — but never speak it in Latin — the next time I try to speak or recite the prayer, I find myself stumbling over my words. Sing and speak every Latin prayer, every day, and both versions will remain fresh in your mind.
Try It — It Works!
Through trial and error, I developed a method which seems to address all the above concerns. Wherever possible, I recite each prayer both in English and Latin, then sing it in Gregorian chant. Those prayers which have never been set to Gregorian chant (Fatima Prayer; Prayer Concluding the Rosary; Prayer to St. Michael), I recite in English and Latin.
Using this method, I am able to keep everything I have learned fresh in my mind. Moreover, I can complete a five-decade Rosary in 45-60 minutes. Here’s how it works:
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THE PENDANT Step 1: Make the Signum Crucis and kiss the feet of the Crucifix Step 2: State your Petition Step 3: Credo in Deum Step 4: Pater Noster Step 5: Triad of Three Ave Beads Step 6: Gloria Patri Step 7: Oratio Fatimae FIRST DECADE Step 9: Pater Noster Step 10: Say ten Ave Marias Ave Bead 1: Recite in English Step 11:Gloria Patri Step 12: Oratio Fatimae |
SECOND DECADE Step 13: Announce the Second Mystery Recite in English Recite in Latin Step 14: Pater Noster Step 15: Say ten Ave Marias, Ave Bead 1: Recite in English Step 16: Gloria Patri Step 17: Oratio Fatimae THIRD DECADE Step 19: Pater Noster Step 20: Say ten Ave Marias, Ave Bead 1: Recite in English Step 21: Gloria Patri Step 22: Oratio Fatimae |
FOURTH DECADE Step 23: Announce the Fourth Mystery Recite in English Recite in Latin Step 24: Pater Noster Step 25: Say ten Ave Marias Ave Bead 1: Recite in English Ave Bead 9: Recite in English Step 26: Gloria Patri Step 27: Oratio Fatimae FIFTH DECADE Step 29: Pater Noster Step 30: Say ten Ave Marias, Ave Bead 1: Recite in English Step 31: Gloria Patri Step 32: Oratio Fatimae |
| CONCLUDING PRAYERS | |||
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Step 33: Salve Regina Recite in English Recite in Latin Sing in Gregorian Chant |
Step 34: Prayer Concluding the Rosary Recite in English Recite in Latin |
Step 35: Oratio ad Sanctum Michael Recite in English Recite in Latin |
Step 36: Make the Signum Crucis and kiss the feet of the Crucifix |