Blessing of Roses

It is customary in some places to bless roses on October 7th in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary. I intend to buy roses tomorrow: five pink roses for the Joyful Mysteries, five white for the Luminous Mysteries, five red for the Sorrowful Mysteries, and five yellow for the Glorious Mysteries. They will be placed before the image of the Blessed Virgin during Holy Mass and blessed after the Postcommunion. The petals of these blessed roses may be given to the sick or kept in the home as a pledge of the intercession of the Mother of God and of divine protection.

BLESSING OF ROSES
IN HONOUR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF THE ROSARY
V. Our help is the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who are the Creator and Upholder of the human race,
the Author of grace and the generous Giver of salvation,
with your holy benediction +
bless these roses which we beg you to bless,
and which we offer this day in thanksgiving to you,
and in devotion and veneration towards
the Ever–Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary.
By the power of the Holy Cross
pour out a heavenly blessing +
on these roses which you have given to man
to enjoy their pleasing fragrance and to alleviate sickness.
By the sign of the Holy Cross +
let them be endowed with such blessing
that the sick to whom they are brought,
or who bring them to their homes,
may be healed of their infirmities.
May the devils depart,
may they flee panic–stricken with their followers
from these dwellings,
nor may they any more dare to trouble
those who serve you.
Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
The roses are sprinkled with Holy Water.