This is the Mormon feminist version of the Rosary that I wrote back in 2019, after struggling for several years to come up with a version that worked. It was only after studying the Temple, with its three progressive degrees of glory, that it occurred to me that Heavenly Mother’s sacred character corresponds to that of the Temple. The Rosary beads too lead in progression from the base of the beads, towards the inner sanctum, and circling back around…“one eternal round.”
I haven’t spoken much about this – much less written about it – but in a sacred experience I had a couple years ago, I was told to “pray the Rosary.” While this is common to many Marian-type apparitions (this was not the Virgin Mary speaking, but it wasn’t Heavenly Mother, either!), I tried to make it clear that I was not Catholic, but Mormon. But She would not take “no” for an answer. This is why I tried to make it work. And you will notice this Rosary prayer is different from most, in terms of its emphasis on the Sacred Feminine in Her various manifestations. It does incorporate some divine masculine references because Jesus prayed to the Father, and I have long since realized that gender balance is necessary when it comes to the Sacred Presence.
So here is my version of the Rosary. If it helps, that’s wonderful! If it’s not for you, I understand completely. But it’s past time for me to create a post on this. Also feel free to adapt as your personal spirituality sees fit. There are no “rules” here. In fact, I will add that my Rosary does not have a cross/crucifix on it, so even that is not required.
First bead – Begin with the “Our Father” (end with “but deliver us from evil”….you will finish this prayer later)
Next three beads– “Holy, Holy, Holy…. (in progression; reflecting the three degrees of glory in the Temple)
Next Bead: Lord God Almighty. The earth is full of his glory. The course of the Lord is one eternal round (I Nephi 10:19).
*Imagine you are entering the Temple, with its three degrees of glory. Entering the Outer Courtyard of the Temple.
First Set– Hail Mary, Full of Grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Son of God after the manner of the flesh (I Nephi 11:18), we ask for your intercession on our behalf, Heavenly Gevirah.
Next Bead: “The course of the Lord is one eternal round.” Entering the Holy Place
Second Set– Mary Magdalene, Tower of the Flock, you are Goddess With Us. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is thy sacred union with Christ Jesus. Holy Mary, Daughter of Zion, make yourself known to us in this dispensation.
Next Bead: “The course of the Lord is one eternal round.” Entering the Holy of Holies
Third Set– – Heavenly Mother of Jerusalem/Zion, blessed are You among goddesses, Goddess Most High, and blessed is Thy sacred union with Heavenly Father. Heavenly Mother of all our spirits, keep us safe under the Shadow of Your Wings.
Next Bead: “The course of the Lord is one eternal round” (return to the Holy Place)
Fourth Set: Revisit the prayers to Mary Magdalene.
Next Bead: “The course of the Lord is one eternal round.” (return to outer courtyard)
Fifth set: Revisit the prayers to the Virgin Mary
Conclude with “…For Thine is the Kingdom the power and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Next three beads– “Holy, Holy, Holy….
Last Bead: “For we know the course of the Lord is one eternal round” (I Nephi 10:19).
Written by Michelle Wiener, 2019
Photo Credit: Robert Wiener
Michelle Wiener
Dr. Michelle Wiener holds a Master of Arts in Theology from Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky and a Master of Ecumenical Studies from the University of Geneva in Switzerland where she studied for a year with the World Council of Churches. A convert from the Bible Belt, she loves genealogy and serves as Temple & Family History Consultant. A devotee of Heavenly Mother, she also runs the Finding Heavenly Mother Project. Michelle just completed her PhD in comparative theology through Euclid University.
All posts by Michelle Wiener
This is beautiful.
Do you believe that Virgin Mary, is also Our Heavenly Mother?
No, I do not believe the Virgin Mary is also Heavenly Mother. Instead, I believe she is the earthly representation of our Heavenly Mother, the “mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh” (I Nephi 11:18). Heavenly Mother is the Mother of all our spirits.
Bravo Michelle you are after my own heart. I too have had the same feeling you have regarding they heavenly mother and I have been having the same struggle with how to write a rosary that others in the mormon faith would find attractive and willing to try it out. Your work is superb I am grateful to know you and Meet you. Hope we may connect very soon.
The part about Mother made me tear up in a good way. Beautifully written!
By the way, I’ve never heard of the term Gevirah before.
In Old Testament times, the Gevirah was the mother of the king, and she had a lot of power and influence. This is the role of the Virgin Mary, who intercedes on our behalf.