The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary: The Crowning with Thorns

Christ with Thorns, Carl Heinrich Bloch, before 1890

How to offer a Zoom Scriptural Meditation on a decade of the Rosary

In this Year of the Word, parishioners will find this Rosary meditation on the crowning of Jesus with thorns with additional scripture and art an opportunity for group prayer and meditation. This suggested method has worked well in providing a simple online meditation, and works well, in particular, for those unfamiliar with praying the Rosary. You will develop your own way of doing this through a process of learning what works best for your group.

A small group of five to ten participants will be very manageable but you may be happy managing a larger group.

Step One: Preparation

Download the Rosary Meditation PowerPoint presentation. We have also provided this in a different format as a Rosary Meditation PDF.

If you are unsure about using Zoom, you can find a simple guide here.

Invite parishioners and friends to the Zoom meeting. Be relaxed and enjoy the opportunity for people to be together in faith. Welcome each person individually and ask them to introduce themselves to the group.

Step Two: Before you begin

Assign different people to the various parts. You need a minimum of 3 people: a leader, one person to read the scripture passages, and one person to say the second part of each prayer (in italics).

Decide on timing and make sure everyone knows how much time you will spend on each element. It is helpful to set a time you will finish.

Each of the 10 Hail Mary’s has an accompanying scripture passage and artwork. Begin each slide by reading the scripture passage, then pause for the agreed length of time so participants can meditate on this and the artwork, before saying the Hail Mary. This works particularly well in PowerPoint, as a Slide Show.

Remind everyone that they will have a chance to share their reflections on the paintings and scripture passages during the sharing time at the end.

You may find it helpful to include some brief guidance on the theme of the Decade before you begin.

Step Three: Praying the Rosary

Technical Note: It is possible to ‘mute’ all the participants and it is recommended to do so at this time. You need to come to an agreement with those who will be saying the various parts on muting and unmuting as needed.

Open the presentation on your screen and, beginning with the Sign of the Cross, say the introductory prayers (taking turns as pre-agreed).

When you begin the first of the 10 Hail Mary’s remember to pause for a period of sacred silence to contemplate each art work and scriptural passage.

Step Four: Sharing Time

Encourage the participants to share their reflections of each art work and Bible passage. It is helpful if you show each image again.

No one should feel obliged to share but it’s good to remind people that everyone has something to offer.

Technical Note: Zoom has a ‘hands up’ facility which helps so people can take turns sharing. You will know that only one person can speak at a time. So it’s important to be firm with participants so they don’t talk over each other.

Once everyone who wants has had a chance to share you can finish the meditation with a prayer.