CHAPLET IN HONOR OF SAINT JOhn the Baptist,
the holy prophet and Forefunner
by Dr. Lawrence Goodall
© SCTJM -2013

Structure: 7 groups of 5 beads, with a bead of a different color in between each group. A medal of St. John the Baptist, followed by three beads,
is attached for the opening and closing prayers. The center is a medal depicting the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.

OPENING PRAYERS: God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father . . . (On the medal)

(On the first three beads):
“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” (Is 40:1)

“The voice of one crying in the desert – prepare the way of the Lord.” (Is 40:3).

“Behold, I send you Elijah the prophet, before the Day of the Lord comes, the great and dreadful day.
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” (Mal 4:5-6).

The Benedictus (on the center medal)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel!
He has come to His people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of His servant David.
Through His holy prophets He promised of old that that He would save us from the hands of our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight, all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way,
to give His people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Mysteries:
The Visitation
The Birth of John the Baptist
The preaching of John
The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
St. John sends the first disciples to Jesus
The temptation of St. John the Baptist (Mt 11:2-14)
The martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

Prayers:
Before each group of 5 beads, say the Lord’s Prayer:

For each group of 5 beads, say:

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (Mt 3:2)

“One mightier than I comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop and untie.
I baptize you with water. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Mk 1:7-8)

‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29)

“The Bride belongs to the Bridegroom. The Bridegroom’s friend stands and listens, and rejoices
when he hears the Bridegroom’s voice. This joy of mine is now complete.” (John 1:29)

“He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease.” (John 1:31).

CLOSING PRAYER:
O Lord Jesus Christ, whose way was prepared by St. John the Baptist, grant that through his intercession,
our hearts may be prepared for You. May he teach us to rejoice in your presence, and guide us to true repentance,
that we may become your true friends and disciples. Grant that we, like St. John, may be faithful witnesses to
You and share Your glory forever. Amen.

With Ecclesiastical Approval

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