Papal Documents on the Rosary

  Scroll down for links to papal documents on the Rosary
  and Mary.

  Below is the list of official papal writings, i.e.
  encyclicals, apostolic exhortations, apostolic letters
  and a papal bull, that have to do with the Holy Rosary
  (also included are some on the Blessed Virgin Mary).
  Such official writings are meant to instruct, clarify,
  inspire and caution the faithful in all walks of life.

The Rosary documents listed here date from the papacy of John Paul II in the new millenium, back to Leo XIII - who issued no less than a dozen writings on the Rosary in the late 1800's - then back to Pope St. Pius V whose 16th century Papal Bull endorsed the Dominican Rosary of 15 decades of Hail Mary's, and urged the faithful to pray it.

Each of the links below opens a preview page from where you can, in turn, view the entire document on the Vatican's website.

Something to bear in mind when reading any document from a pope prior to John Paul II, is the papal (like the royal) "We/Our", which was used instead of the regular "I/me" pronouns. His Holiness John Paul II was the first to depart from this custom, preferring to use "I" rather than "We" in his speeches and writings. So, when viewing older papal writings, remember to read beyond the formal tone - which we're not used to today - and seek the message!

Note: The Latin title of each document has been informally translated into English, for your convenience.

  Pope John Paul II (1978-2005)

  "Rosarium Virginis Mariae"
  "Rosary of the Virigin Mary" - 2002 Apostolic Letter

  "Redemptoris Mater"
  "Mother of the Redeemer" - 1987 Encyclical
  On the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life of the Pilgrim Church

  Pope Paul VI (1963-78)
  "Marialis Cultus"
  "Marian Devotion" - 1974 Apostolic Exhortation
  For the Right Ordering and Development of Devotion to the
  Blessed Virgin Mary
  "Christi Matri"
  "Mother of Christ" - 1966 Encyclical
  On Prayers for Peace During October

  Pope Blessed John XXIII (1958-63)

  "Grata Recordatio"
  "Pleasant Recollection" - 1959 Encyclical
  On the Rosary: Prayer for the Church, Missions,
  International and Social Problems

  Pope Pius XII (1939-58)
  "Ad Caeli Reginam"
  "On the Queen of Heaven" - 1954 Encyclical
  On Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary

  "Ingruentium Malorum"
  "Approaching Evils" - 1951 Encyclical
  On Reciting the Rosary

  Pope Pius XI (1922-39)

  "Ingravescentibus Malis"
  "Evergrowing Evils" - 1937 Encyclical
  On the Rosary

  Pope St. Pius X (1903-14)

  "Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum"
  "On That Most Happy Day" - 1904 Encyclical
  On the Immaculate Conception (approaching the 50th
  anniversary of the promulgation of the dogma of the
  Immaculate Conception of Mary within her mother's womb)

  Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903)
  "Diuturni Temporis"
  "...Long Space of Time..." - 1898 Encyclical
  On the Rosary

  "Augustissimae Virginis Mariae"
  "Most August Virgin Mary" - 1897 Encyclical
  On the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary

"Fidentem Piumque Animum"
"Confident and Devoted Soul" - 1896 Encyclical
On the Rosary

"Adiutricem"
"Adjutrix (which means 'Female Helper')" - 1895 Encyclical
On the Rosary

"Iucunda Semper Expectatione"
"...Always with Joyful Expectation..." - 1894 Encyclical
On the Rosary

"Laetitiae Sanctae"
"Sacred Joy" - 1893 Encyclical
Commending Devotion to the Rosary

"Magnae Dei Matris"
"Great Mother of God" - 1892 Encyclical
On the Rosary

"Octobri Mense"
"...Month of October..." - 1891 Encyclical
On the Rosary

"Vi E Ben Noto"
"You Know..." - 1887 Encyclical
On the Rosary and Public Life

"Quod Auctoritate"
"...Which...Authority..." - 1885 Encyclical
Proclaiming an Extraordinary Jubilee (50th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's ordination)

"Superiore Anno"
"Last Year..." - 1884 Encyclical
On Recitation of the Rosary

"Supremi Apostolatus Officio"
"...Supreme Apostolic Office..." - 1883 Encyclical
On Devotion of the Rosary

  Pope St. Pius V (1566-72)

  "Consueverunt Romani Pontifices"
  "The Romans Pontiffs...Were Wont..." - 1569 Papal Bull