Page 175 - Reflections on St. Joseph

praise and the second being prayer of intercessory petition. The center of gravity and the
hinge joining these two parts is the name of Jesus. “[I]t is precisely the emphasis given to
the name of Jesus and to His mystery that is the sign of a meaningful and fruitful
recitation of the Rosary.” The Holy Spouses lead us to profess our faith in the God-given
24
name that Joseph bestowed on the child at his circumcision. It is the only name by which
we may hope for salvation. 25

Pope Paul VI encouraged adding to the name of Jesus a phrase referring to the mystery
being contemplated. Each mystery includes a biblical or doctrinal title added to each
26
Holy Spouses prayer for that mystery. The Christological phrases corresponding to the
ten mysteries are:

1) Jesus, the Promised One
2) Jesus Incarnate
3) Jesus, the Messiah
4) Jesus, Son of Man
5) Jesus, Emmanuel
6) Jesus, Savior
7) Jesus, Light of the nations
8) Jesus, our King
9) Jesus, Son of God
10) Jesus, obedient unto death.

Such additions help one to concentrate on each mystery being prayed.

The Glory be

Adoration of the Trinity “is the goal of all Christian contemplation. For Christ is the way
27
that leads us to the Father in the Spirit.” This is the summit of contemplation, the
purpose for which we were created, and the joy of the Holy Spouses in heaven. The Glory
be at the end of each mystery could be given its proper prominence by being sung. A
simple plain-chant melody is:

151

Reflections on st. joseph