In his Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae i. e., the Rosary of the Virgin Mary, Pope John Paul II teaches us “With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary  and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of His love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Redeemer” (# 1).
     While praying the Rosary, the Holy Father has asked that we introduce each mystery with the appropriate scriptural text. This is to be done, especially when we pray the Rosary in a group. “In order to supply a Biblical foundation and greater depth to our meditation, it is helpful to follow the announcement of the mystery with the proclamation of a related Biblical passage, long or short, depending on the circumstances. No other words can ever match the efficacy of the inspired word. As we listen, we are certain that this is the word of God, spoken for today and spoken ‘for me’” (# 30).
     The Pope goes on to teach us “Just as moments of silence are recommended in the liturgy, so too in the recitation of the Rosary it is fitting to pause briefly after listening to the Word of God, while the mind focuses on the content of a particular mystery” (# 31).
     Reflecting on the thoughts of Blessed Bartolo Longo, as he often does in his letter, the Holy Father sees the beads of the Rosary, on which we pray the Hail Mary, as a “sweet chain which which links us to God.” (# 36).