Some Variations on the Traditional Rosary especially for Nursing Moms

(Presentation in the Temple: Wikipedia commons - public domain) 

As we near the midpoint of Lent, I wanted to share some variations on the traditional rosary that nursing moms might enjoy. 

The first one is called the Theotokos chaplet. It was composed by Father Timothy Sauppe and was even granted an imprimatur on the Feast of the Presentation in 2006. Father Sauppe wrote an alternative version of the Hail Mary prayer and also wrote mysteries based on the pregnancy, breastfeeding and weaning of baby Jesus. Here is the Theotokos chaplet:

use ordinary rosary beads)

Pray this variation of the Hail Mary:
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 God (Theotokos), Blessed is the womb that carried Jesus
And the breasts that nursed him. Blessed are those that hear
The Word of God and keep it.

Five Mysteries of the Maternity of Mary
The Quickening: The Blessed Mother feels the first movements of Jesus in the womb.
His First Nursing: the Blessed Mother gives her infant his first nourishment.
His First Steps: Jesus takes his first steps towards his destiny.
His First Words: Jesus speaks for the first time.
Jesus is weaned: the last breastfeed bond between Mother and Son.

CNML mails out complimentary Nursing Baby Jesus (Infant of Prague) gift bags that would go lovely with the Theotokos chaplet. If you would like one, send us an email.

One other alternative to the traditional rosary is substituting the Jesus prayer for the Hail Marys and praying the Joyful Mysteries, in particular, since they focus on the pregnancy, birth, and childhood of Jesus. I first read about this idea at the National Catholic Register website.

Written by Gina M. Peterson, BS, IBCLC

Are there any special devotions or prayers that help you grow closer to God as a nursing mom? If so, please share in the comments.