Funeral Mass & Recitation of the Rosary

As I researched the funeral Masses of my Catholic family members, I often found that the recitation of the Holy Rosary preceded the funeral Mass, or was said the previous evening.

My grandmother, Anne M. Hork, died on 14 February 1979, and her funeral was held on 17 February at St. Matthews Catholic Church in San Mateo. I was present at the funeral, but I don’t remember much about it, except for the nice wake we had following it at my Aunt Virginia’s home.

According to her funeral card, the Holy Rosary was recited ten minutes before the funeral Mass. Now, ten minutes is not enough time to recite the whole rosary, so I imagine they did only a portion.

This past week, I attended the funeral for my cousin, Melanie. We also recited a portion of the rosary before the start of the funeral Mass. I am sure not many in attendance knew what to recite. We had no reading aids to follow along. It had been many years since I learned the parts of the rosary. It was not hard to find online. If you wish to follow along, use this link: https://www.theholyrosary.org/rosaryprayers/#myJesus.

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The rosary consists of a cross and beads, separated by larger beads. While holding the cross, make the Sign of the Cross, and then recite the “Apostles' Creed.” From the cross are five beads, one large, three small, and one large bead. Sometimes a medallion replaces the last large bead. On the large bead next to the cross, one recites the “Our Father.” On the three small beads, the “Hail Mary” is recited at each bead. This is for faith, hope, and charity. Lastly, at the large bead or medallion, the “Glory Be to the Father” is recited, and then the “Fatima Prayer.” In reviewing these steps, I’d forgotten about the Fatima Prayer.

Now we have a large circle with five sets of large and small beads. These are called Decades. Before continuing, state the first Rosary Mystery. There are three mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious. Each Mystery has five parts to match the five Decades. If the Glorious Mystery is selected, then the five parts include:

The Resurrection: Faith

The Ascension: Hope, Desire to Ascend to Heaven

The Descent of the Holy Spirit: Love of God, Holy Wisdom to know the truth and share it with everyone, Divine Charity, Worship of the Holy Spirit

The Assumption of Mary: Union with Mary and True Devotion to Mary

The Coronation of the Virgin: Perseverance and an Increase in Virtue

The Glorious Mystery is traditionally said on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during Easter and Ordinary Time. My grandmother’s funeral was on Saturday, so this is likely the Mystery used. Again, given the short amount of time, only a few decades would have been said.

For each Decade, begin with the “Our Father” on the large bead, ten “Hail Mary” on each small bead while reflecting on the appropriate mystery, and then the “Glory Be to the Father” and finally the “Fatima Prayer” on the next large bead. After the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary is concluded with the “Hail Holy Queen” prayer and the Sign of the Cross. In a large group, a priest or other leader would begin the Hail Mary, and the congregation would say the refrain. The other prayers are recited together.

My grandmother said the Rosary often, either at home or with parish members at church. So did my aunt, Lorene. Since we prayed a portion before the funeral Mass, my cousin must have felt it very important, too. 

#52Ancestors-Week 30: Religious Traditions

This is my eighth year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/) at Generations Cafe.

I write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or MyTrails into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

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