The Brigittine / Carmelite Rosary

The Brigittine Rosary

Aside from the popular Dominican Rosary, the Seven Sorrow Rosary, the Franciscan Crown among others, there was another type of rosary that is known to the contempaltives and other religious orders – the Brigittine Rosary.

The Brigittine Rosary is the known as a special prayer to the Brigittine nuns, as well as for the Carmelite Order (both OCarm and OCD), the La Sallian Brothers among others. Interestingly, it was this rosary that was held by Our Lady of Lourdes. How did this rosary came about, how to use it and how it was associated to the Virgin of Lourdes?

Let is us know more about this special rosary and perhaps became part of our prayer life.

The Brigittine Rosary

The Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Briget of Sweden

The Brigittine Rosary looks similar to a regular Rosary, but with an extra decade. The resultant seven Pater beads honor the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the sixty-three Ave Maria beads commemorate the sixty-three years it is believed the Blessed Mother lived on this earth before her Assumption.

The Brigittine Rosary was instituted and propagated by St. Bridget of Sweden.  She was favored with visions and extacies but remained profoundly humble with a deep devotion to the Passion of Our Lords and His Holy Wounds, and great love for the Blessed Virgin and made a rosary in her honor. When describing the rosary she constructed, she explained it was 63 Hail Mary beads to honour the 63 years of life the Blessed Virgin lived on earth. This is why it has 6 decades.

St. Teresa of Avila and her contact with the Brigittine nuns

The Brigittine Rosary as part of the Carmelite Habit

St. Teresa of Avila would later introduce this rosary to her order a few centuries later. It is believed that while she was traveling throughout Spain, she enjoyed the hospitality of at least one Brigittine Monastery, and from the Brigittines, learned to say their six-decade Rosary. The six-decade Rosary was later adopted as the Rosary of the Discalced Carmelite habit, with a large medal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in addition to, or even in place of, the crucifix found on the Dominican Rosary.

The Lourdes apparitions

The Canonically Crowned image of Notre Dame de Lourdes in her Basilica in France holding a Brigittine Rosary as seen by St. Bernadette Soubirous

On March 25, 1858 – Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our  Blessed Mother revealed herself to the fourteen-year-old St. Bernadette Soubirous as the Immaculate Conception, which she gave a heavenly confirmation of her status as the New Eve. The Book of Genesis records that the first Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day. Significantly during the first apparition, Bernadette began praying her simple five-decade rosary but Mary held and prayed the six-decade “Brigidine Rosary”.

The Faithful in that region of France had a long tradition of praying a six-decade Rosary in place of the usual five-decade and Our Lady’s reference to this practice is confirmed by the fact that she is depicted as holding a six-decade Rosary in the large ‘Crowned Virgin’ statue in Lourdes. In devotional terms, the extra decade is to be recited on behalf of the Souls in Purgatory or in honor of the Immaculate Conception.

Indulgences

The Brigittine Rosary as a matter of fact was enriched by numerous Popes with Plenary Indulgence for the faithful who will be praying this unique Rosary.

Pope Leo X., in his Bull of July 10, 1516, and Pope Clement XI., in his Bull De salute Dominici gregis, of Sept. 22, 1714, granted many Indulgences to all who carry about them, or who say, the Chaplet, called after St. Bridget because she first conceived the idea of it and promulgated the usage of it. These Indulgences were confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV., in his Brief of Jan. 15, 1743, wherein he added others, of all which a summary will now be given.

It is requisite, in order to gain these Indulgences, that the Chaplet, being made, as has been said, of six decades, &c., should be blessed by the superiors of the monastic houses or other priests of the Order of Holy Saviour, sometimes called the order of St Bridget or to any priest.

It will be seen in the following summary that the Indulgences may be gained by saying this special rosary:

1. Partial Indulgence for each Pater, 100 days for each Ave, and 100 days for each Credo, to all the faithful who say the Rosary or Chaplet of St. Bridget. Pope Leo X., July 10, 1515.

2. Partial Indulgence to everyone who says the said Rosary or Chaplet of fifteen decades. Grant of the same Pope Leo. (Whenever this Rosary is said with others, each person may gain the Indulgences 1. and 2. precisely the same as when the said Rosary is said by one person alone. The same Pope Leo.)

3. The Plenary Indulgence to all who shall say at least five decades daily for a year, on any one day in the year when, after Confession and Communion, they shall pray for the Holy Church. Pope Clement XI., Sept. 22, 1714.

4. The Plenary Indulgence, on the Feast of St. Bridget (Oct. 8), to all who say the said Rosary of five decades at least once a week, and, after Confession and Communion, visit their own parish church, or any other church, and pray to God there for the Church as above. Benedict XIV., Jan. 15, 1743.

5. The Plenary Indulgence to all who have been accustomed to saying this Rosary, as in No. IV., when, in articulo mortis, recommending their soul to God, they say the holy name Jesus with their hearts, if unable to do so with their lips, having at the same time Confessed and Communicated; or, if these conditions are impossible, being contrite of heart. Benedict XIV.

6. The Plenary Indulgence, once a month, to all who say this Chaplet daily for a month, on any one day when, after Confession and Communion, they visit a church and pray as above. Benedict XIV.

7. Partial Indulgence to all who carry this Rosary with them, if, at the tolling of the bell for a passing soul, they kneel down and pray for that soul. Benedict XIV.

8. Partial Indulgence to all who carry this Rosary, whenever they make an examination of conscience, and say three Pater Noster and three Ave Maria. Ben. XIV. ix. The Indulgence of 100 days to all who carry this Rosary whenever they hear Mass (feast-day or ferial), or assist at a sermon, or accompany the Most Holy Viaticum, or bring back any sinner to his way of salvation, or do any other good work in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin, or St. Bridget, provided they say also three Pater Noster and three Ave Maria. Benedict XIV., as before.

Method on praying the Brigittine Rosary

The Brigittine Rosary looks very much like the Dominican (5 Decade) Rosary, but there are six decades instead of five. This rosary is prayed like the Dominican rosary (the common rosary). Instead of the Glory Be, the Apostles Creed is said at the end of each decade.

Opening Prayers

V: O God, + come to my assistance
R: Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be …

Our Father …

For the increase in Faith, Hail Mary …
For steadfast in Hope, Hail Mary …
For an ever-burning Charity, Hail Mary …

Glory Be …

The Joyful Mysteries

(Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Immaculate Conception
2. The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary
3. The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
4. The Birth of Jesus
5. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
6. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries
(Thursdays)

1. The Obedience of Jesus to Mary and St. Joseph at Nazareth
2. Jesus’ Baptism in the River Jordan
3. The Wedding at Cana
4. Jesus’ Proclamation of the coming of the Kingdom
5. Jesus’ Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor
6. The Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries

(Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden
2. Jesus is scourged at the Pillar
3. Jesus is Crowned with Thorns
4. Jesus carries His Cross
5. The Crucifixion
6. The Body of the Lord was placed in the Arms of His Sorrowful Mother

The Glorious Mysteries

(Wednesdays and Sundays)

1. The Resurrection of Jesus
2. The Ascension of Jesus
3. The Decent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
6. The Patronage of Mary, Queen and Beauty of Carmel

End the Rosary with the “Hail Holy Queen” then the following:

V: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray: Father, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, protect us and bring us to your holy Mountain, Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Verses to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

V: Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel;
R: Be our constant hope.
V: Mary, perfect disciple of the Lord;
R: Make us also faithful to him.
V: Mary, Flower of Carmel;
R: Fill us with your joy.
V: Virgin Mary, beauty of Carmel;
R: Smile upon your family.
V: Gentle Mother of Carmel;
R: Embrace me as your child.
V: Mary, Mother beyond compare
R: Remember your children forever.
V: Holy Virgin, Star of the Sea;
R: Be our beacon of light.
V: Protecting Veil:
R: Shelter us in the mantle of your love.
V: Mary, conceived without sin;
R: Pray for us who have recourse to you.

P: May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain with you forever.
All: Amen

Special Blessing for the Brigittine Rosary

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.

P: Let us pray.
Almighty and merciful God, who, out of exceeding love for us, willed that Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, come down from heaven to earth for our salvation taking flesh at the angel’s message in the sacred womb of the Blessed Virgin, in order to snatch us from Satan’s tyranny; we humbly beg You in Your boundless goodness to bless + and to hallow + these rosaries, which your faithful Church has consecrated to the honor and praise of the Mother of Your Son. Let them be endowed with such power of the Holy + Spirit, that whoever carries one on his person, or recites it, or reverently keeps it in his home, may always and everywhere be shielded from every foe and adversity, may gain the indulgences granted by the holy Roman Church, and at their death deserve to be presented to You by the blessed Virgin, laden with the merits of good works; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

P: May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain with you forever.
All: Amen.

Then the beads are sprinkled with holy water.

References:

The Brigittine Rosary, Retrieved from http://www.battlebeads.com/brig.html on February 11, 2021.

The Raccolta or Collection of Indulgenced Prayers, Retrieved from http://www.liturgialatina.org/raccolta/contents.htm on February 11, 2021.