Rosary makers stake claim to title

Sydney
19 January

Pope's open arm 'welcomes us' into his belief

Pope's Christmas gift - new Vatican appointment

Agency awards top marks for ACU standards

Poetic papal meditation

Will privacy laws hit hospital visits, prayer requests?

Sisters say 'goodbye' to St Mary's

Rosary makers stake claim to title

Thérèse - An Australian Story

Editorial: No cause for war

Letters: Pope of peace

Conversation: Tim Fischer, farmer-soldier-MP - Faith as an anchor for the boy from Boree Creek

Social justice and Catholic thinking

Treatment of refugees shocks new Jesuit leader

Year of Pope John Paul II

Rosary makers stake claim to title

Who was first to pray the new mysteries of the rosary publicly in Australia? That's an honour claimed by Our Lady's Rosary Makers of Australia.

Members prayed the five new "luminous mysteries" at their national conference - in Baradine, north-western NSW - only a few days after they were introduced by Pope John Paul II. The mysteries are:

1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River
2. His self-manifestation at the wedding feast at Cana
3. His proclamation of the kingdom of God, with his call to conversion
4. His Transfiguration
5. His institution of the Eucharist as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery.

To highlight the "luminous" features of the new mysteries, the main table at the conference was decorated with five luminous glowsticks and five candles. Everyone held a glowstick while praying the Rosary.

National president Ellis Ryan led the first decade, Baradine secretary Nea Worrell the second, national secretary Tony Finlay the third, national vice-president Audrey O'Brien the fourth and national treasurer Beverley Ryan the fifth.

Our Lady's Rosary Makers also claim to be the first group to have a set of paintings of the original 15 mysteries painted by an Aboriginal artist in traditional Aboriginal style. The same artist is also painting the five new mysteries.

The Pope has asked that the new mysteries of light, covering major events in Christ's public ministry, be reflected upon on Thursdays, and the joyful mysteries, usually said on Thursdays, be moved to Saturdays. The glorious mysteries, which include Christ's resurrection, have traditionally been prayed on Sundays.