On the Most Holy Rosary

An apostolic letter to the bishops, clergy and faithful 'on the most holy Rosary', dated 16 October 2002, at the beginning of the twenty-fifth year of his pontificate. It proclaims the year from October 2002 to October 2003 the Year of the Rosary, and presents itself as a Marian complement to Novo Millennio Ineunte: to recite the Rosary is 'to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ'. The first chapter, 'Contemplating Christ with Mary', treats Mary as the model of contemplation and the Rosary as a way of remembering, learning and being configured to Christ; here he explains that his motto Totus Tuus is inspired by Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort. The second chapter, on the mysteries, proposes adding to the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries five 'mysteries of light' from Christ's public ministry: the Baptism in the Jordan, the wedding at Cana, the proclamation of the Kingdom, the Transfiguration and the institution of the Eucharist. The third gives practical guidance on praying it: the announcement of each mystery, listening to the Word, silence, the Our Father, the ten Hail Marys and the closing doxology.