# Rosary for the Sick – Joyful Mysteries
*2021-08-23*

> Bill and John pray the Joyful Mysteries for those suffering from illness, sharing a heartfelt prayer for healing and peace, and offering the Rosary as a source of comfort.

## Opening Prayer and Intentions

We begin by lifting up the many people we know who are battling COVID‑19, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses. John mentions former coworkers in quarantine and a seriously ill friend, while I pray for my wife's relatives in Cuba and for family members who are hospitalized. We ask the Lord for swift healing and for the strength to endure the fear and sadness that often accompany illness.

## A Prayer for Help in Illness

I read a prayer from my 2007 prayer book titled “Request for Help in Illness.”

“To You, Lord, who passed through this world healing all evil and infirmity, I, a poor soul afflicted by pain, raise my cry. Son of David, have mercy on me. Each morning I awaken tired and fearful—will my health ever improve? Will I ever sing hallelujah for a miracle? Lord, you healed the leper, raised Lazarus, and called Peter to walk on water. When will you come to my aid? You are my only hope.

There is a deeper anguish than sickness: the loss of peace. Lord Jesus, anguish sometimes overwhelms me; I feel oppressed by sorrow and the shadow of death. Grant me the peace that only you can give, the peace that comes from complete surrender to your will. Give me health and long life, not my will, but yours. Fill me with your certainty tonight. Amen.”

## The Joyful Mysteries

We then pray the Joyful Mysteries, beginning with the Annunciation. For each mystery we recite the Our Father, three Hail Marys (for an increase in faith, hope, and charity), and the Glory.

1. **The Annunciation** – humility
2. **The Visitation** – love of neighbor
3. **The Nativity** – poverty
4. **The Presentation in the Temple** – obedience
5. **Finding the Child in the Temple** – piety

Each mystery is followed by the familiar prayers, invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

## Concluding Prayers

We close with a prayer for all who suffer, asking the Lord to bring consolation, close wounds, and restore broken bodies and downcast spirits. We thank Jesus for the healing He grants to those who believe.

“Father of goodness and love, we pray for the sick members of our community and for all who endure mental and physical suffering. May they find lasting health and deliverance, and may we join in thanksgiving for all your gifts. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

A short sacrificial prayer follows, offering our sufferings for the conversion of sinners and for the heart of Mary.

“Lord Jesus, for the love of you, I offer my pains and anguish for the conversion of poor sinners and for reparation to the immaculate heart of Mary. Amen.”

*In our suffering, the Rosary draws us into the mysteries of Christ and Mary, granting us hope, peace, and the promise of healing.*