Comment:
Share your tips on how to pray the Rosary well. And any stories you wish to share about the power of the Rosary are most welcome!
Let’s remember, too, to pray for the repose of the soul of Father Nicholas Gruner, in this month of the Rosary. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
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Comments (36)
I try to avoid using a book when praying the rosary – I prefer to just focus on a scene from the mystery and what it teaches me.
I quote from a talk by a priest on the Rosary:
The Rosary Is Not Optional, by Father Patrick Perez
” IN true apparitions, Our Lady, or whoever is sent from Heaven, does not waste words and does not use them idly.
At Fatima, in the most relevant and urgent apparition of our times, Our Lady introduced Herself to the three shepherd children and She said “I am the Lady of the Rosary.” It was not for nothing that She chose these words. Why choose this title now? Of Our Lady’s one hundred and seventeen titles that She has had through the history of the Church, why introduce Herself now, in our modern age, as the Lady of the Rosary?
Simply put, each one of us, our families, our cities, states, our countries, our Church and in fact our whole world needs the Rosary now more than at any point in history. The Rosary is not just a devotion that we may take or leave. We have this from the words of the Mother of God Herself. To quote Sister Lucy (who wrote) “people must recite the Rosary every day.”
Our Lady repeated this in all the apparitions. In all the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 She said many things. But above all, She said “every person must recite the Rosary every day.”
Now there are those who would disagree, but I happen to believe that when the Mother of God appears to you and tells you to do something, you really should do it;whether that be to pray the Rosary or consecrate Russia to Her Immaculate Heart.”
http://catholictradition.org/Mary/fatima26.htm
The whole talk is worth reading. It gives the 15 promises of Our Lady to those who pray the Rosary daily. It’s a beautiful talk.
Lily,
Thank you for that – I’m very much looking forward to reading the entire talk.
I’ve always considered the Rosary a very special prayer. I use my memory of the Gospel tracts to meditate on each Mystery. I find some mysteries more difficult than others in that there is not a huge Gospel tract on them, or none at all, as in the case of the Assumption and the Crowning of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Helen,
I find some mysteries easier than others too. I always struggle with the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven.
I’ve found that praying for help to pray the rosary well is the most profitable thing to do. I struggled for many years forgetting to say the Rosary and becoming distracted during the Rosary. One day it dawned on me that I’d never asked God for help! It definitely helps.
This website is excellent on the Rosary. There’s loads of stuff including a YouTube talk by a priest – it’s all totally traditional https://www.rosarybay.com/rosary.html
It’s really excellent, even explains the purpose of the repetition in the Rosary. I’m sure everyone who visits, will find this website really helpful, as I did.
When the Mysteries of Light were introduced by JPII, there were rumblings about these ‘not having Our Lady at the centre of them’. It could be said that Our Lady is only at the centre of one of them i.e. The Marriage Feast at Cana.
With regard to the Sorrowful Mysteries, however, Our Lady certainly was there at the 4th and 5th, but what about the Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar and Crowning with Thorns? When I’m saying the ‘horrible mysteries’ (as I sometimes call them), I find myself wondering. She may have sensed Her Divine Son was ‘going through the wars’ that night, a parent often knows instinctively when their child is distressed. But what about the Scourging – and the Crowning? Was Our Lady there? (I find myself hoping She wasn’t!).
As for the Glorious Mysteries, Our Lady is certainly at the centre of these. A priest once assured me that Jesus must have told His Mother about His forthcoming Ascension, so it matters not whether She actually witnessed that Glorious event.
Any thoughts, dear bloggers?
Pat McKay,
I don’t think Our Lady is at the centre of any of the mysteries – surely it is her Son who is supposed to be at the centre? We are praying the mysteries in company with Our Lady – at least that’s always been my understanding.
I would not dream of saying those new mysteries – for Pope JPII to have changed the Rosary, shows he had some nerve. The mysteries Our Lady gave to St Dominic weren’t good enough for him?
Ok, maybe I should have said ‘featured in’, rather than ‘at the centre of’.
However, I’ve always known it as the ‘Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary’, not that She and Her Son will be vying for supremacy.
Pat,
The Rosary is not a vying for supremacy. That’s illogical as Our Lord is infinitely superior to even Our Lady. The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ and his work of redemption.
Petrus and Pat,
Who was it who described the Rosary as “a walk with Mary through the life of Jesus”? That defines the Rosary, perfectly.
And I think it was Pope Paul VI who said “For what other reason do we turn to Mary, than to seek the Christ she holds in her arms.”
I think if we try to remember those remarks, we won’t separate Our Lady from her Son, any more than we can separate Christ from His Church.
Well said, editor.
That’s exactly what I said above, i.e. that there’s no ‘vying for supremacy’. Case dismissed.
One thing that The Passion of Christ told us is that we are not of The Church of Nice . Even the scene where Our Lady is wiping up the Blood of Our Lord is sadly I think very real . She went through every bit of Pain her Son experienced it was as foretold by Simmeon that a Sword Would Pierce her Heart . There is a great Sorrowful Rosaries meditation on YouTube prayed to Our Lady of Quadulpe. We all have our Favourite’s and this is mine . I just Love Her and the Intercession prayers said for me most certainly saved my Life. Also the fact that Heretics down through the Centuries have tried and failed on many occasions to destroy The Tilma. The Music on The Rosary in this is the sequence of the Notes on The Tilma it is really beautiful.
https://youtu.be/LIoy8faN2Dw This is the Link to the Sorrowful Mysteries to Our Lady of Quadulpe. God Bless.
I meant to put on it that Listening to it with Earphones on and Praying this Meditation is Lovely.
FOOF,
I look forward to listening to that meditation as soon as possible. Probably 2030… Only kidding! It’s on my list of things to do – pronto!
I like to use the SSPX Book “Rosary Warfare”. Its a smallish Marian blue hardback, identical looking to the “Christian Warfare” books also by the SSPX.
“Rosary Warfare” has various sections, but I like to use the Douay Rheims scriptural rosary.
Essentially, each mystery introduced by a stained-glass style image. the fruit of the mystery and a description of the mystery. Then, each composite prayer – including all 10 Hail Marys – is given its own a line from scripture to meditate on.
I like this for various reasons. As well as being educational, I find a fresh scriptural meditation for each prayer eliminates distractions and also keeps the experience “fresh” so that the 15 mins to say the Rosary seem to fly past.
Previous I would just try to mediate on the mystery itself and image a scene depicting it. This was difficult and I was very prone to distraction this way.
I really like using this book, although I will concede that it is awkward to hold (or refer to) a book, while trying to pray the Rosary, unless adept at using the beads one-handed!
One thing I noted is that, while its called the Douay Rheims scriptural rosary, I am aware of a couple of entries which do not come from scripture.
One of the sorrowful mysteries has a line from the ‘sabat mater’ as its meditation.
And one of the glorious mysteries (resurrection) quotes from the exercises of St Ignatius (?) and claims that the resurrected Christ first appeared to His mother, who was alone in prayer.
And so while I really like the book and find it helpful, I was a little curious about this last point – because i am sure scripture says the first person the resurrected Christ appeared to as Mary Magdalene.
I would appreciate any comment on this point, how St Ignatius can seemingly get away with contradicting scripture?
I expect many will be familiar with Dana and Fr. Kevin Scallon’s Holy Rosary recording. It’s on youtube, right here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo603nZ3OSVn_5RR35Uge8-2Qd-mqHrkR
As Fr. Scallon says in his intro – ‘it is no monotonous ritual, but a deeply contemplative Christian prayer’. However, we are only human and the mind does tend to wander off at times while praying it (especially if it’s around 3:00am!).
Any tips on how to keep focussed? I once read about someone who ’embraces the repetitiveness of the Hail Marys by imagining waves crashing onto the sea-shore’ (which is of course, very repetitive). Well, breathing and heartbeats are very repetitive, so maybe it’s worth a try.
Pat,
I hesitate to say don’t pray it at 3am!
Seriously, I find saying the words slowly helps. I’ve also tried to split the mysteries into ten parts. For example, in the first Hail Mary of the First Sorrowful Mystery I think of Christ entering the garden. On the second Hail Mary I think of him going off on his own and leaving the apostles etc. It works for me.
I have to say I was surprised earlier on at the bloggers who said they didn’t like the Sorrowful Mysteries. They are my favourite as it’s a real meditation on the work of redemption.
I agree about the sorrowful mysteries they are my favourite and the easiest to meditate in because of our dear Lord’s passion
A very happy Feast of the Most Holy Rosary to all at CT.
Happy feast when it comes!
Happy Feast of the Most Holy Rosary to everyone. When Our lady appeared to the three children at Fatima on the 13th October, she told them that she was the Lady of the Rosary and asked them as in the other five months to continue praying the Rosary. So it is apt that this Feast Day is in October.
This short article from the Fatima Crusader about getting information on air about Fatima after delays only to be aired the night before 9/11.
https://fatima.org/news-views/fatima-center-vignettes-heavenly-delay-the-night-before-9-11/
For your prayers…
A close family friend and huge supporter of Catholic Truth, Sean Lyons, who has been ill for a long time, and recently deteriorated quite rapidly, died this morning, at 9.30.am. – this Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.
Beautifully, my niece and her children, who were very close to Sean, decided to pray their family rosary earlier than usual today, offering it up for Sean; they prayed their rosary at 8.30.a.m and Sean died an hour later, at 9.30.a.m.
Eternal Rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him; may he rest in peace, Amen.
Praying for Sean – may he rest in peace.
Sweet Jesus help his holy soul, and may his anguish cease; may light eternal shine on him, and may he rest in peace. Amen.
Where’s me icon? Who has pinched me icon? It’s MINE. MINE I say.
Therese,
Your avatar disappeared because you had logged in using the wrong email address. Avatars are attached to the email you used to sign up for an avatar. I was able to check from previous comments and then replace your own email address IN the comment with the one you used to sign up for your avatar. Memory hint: you WERE therese in that email! I will email it to you now, in case you’ve forgotten it.
For Sean Lyons, RIP. This is a wonderful day to go to meet your Maker, with Our Lady by your side.
Eternal rest.
On the subject of prayer, I have a question which, by the way, I know has already been discussed on this blog but which I can’t find: how much does the devil know about our thoughts both whilst we pray and in every day life? if he doesn’t, which I seem to remember, wouldn’t it be better to keep him in the dark so he can’t tempt us? We could always move our lips to torment him without formulating words!
On another issue: my husband has asked for somebody (? RCA Victor) to explain George Soros’ agenda in one or two sentences. He’s a simple guy!
Helen,
In the “olden” days, I’m told, it was the practice in religious houses for newcomers to arrive to begin their noviciate without the community knowing that a new postulant was expected. This was under the theory that unless something is spoken, the Devil can only guess. He can’t read our minds. Just as well – he’d probably throw up his hands and surrender if he could read mine!
I’ll leave RCA Victor to summarise Soros’ agenda since your husband asked for HIM to explain and not ME… See if I care…
I tend to think Soros’ is simply intent on pushing the left-wing agenda as far to the left as he possibly can…
But then, who cares what I think? Not YOUR hubby, obviously…
http://cliparts.co/cliparts/pi5/rEL/pi5rEL9yT.gif
Editor
If the devil can’t read our minds how does he know exactly how to tempt us?
Petrus,
He can guess – and he knows the effects of Original Sin (he CAN hear sermons!) … you ought to read C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters. An uncle (a devil) writing to his nephew (a trainee devil). Great theology (for an Anglican!) and very entertaining!
Thanks Editor. For the bit about Soros too since RCA Victor is on holiday……..
Hello all, I have read all the posts above. It is still the month of the Most Holy Rosary, and I would like to ask some questions but first recommend some reading for the future:
The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort
True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort
Divine Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary taken verbatim from Mystical City of God, the highly acclaimed mystical revelations of the Blessed Virgin’s life by Venerable Mary of Agreda
Hail Holy Queen by St. Alphonsus Liguori
The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Anne Catherine Emmerich
This last book helps to meditate on the sorrowful mysteries, which I too believe is the easiest to meditate. According to this last book, Our Lady suffered the same pains as her Son.
The above books are worthy of re-reading to re-ignite the love of the Rosary.
I am interested to know what are the thoughts about people praying the rosary with their arms in a folded position compared to their hands in a prayer position or simply feeding the rosary beads through their hands. I have experienced a small number of people who practice this way of praying the rosary and I think it is disrespectful, furthermore, I have see people with their hands clasped round their back whilst kneeling with their rosary beads in their hands praying the rosary. My instinct tells me it is wrong? Am I correct to think this way or is it a cultural think. I have witnessed it with a variety of people including non-Europeans. I would be interested to know your thoughts.
My final request here is: can someone tell me which fruits go with which mystery as I have two religions leaflets telling me different things?
Hello all,
It is still the month of the Most Holy Rosary. I would like to ask some questions but first recommend some reading that you would find helps to re-ignite your love for the Most Holy Rosary:
The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort
Divine Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary – taken from Mystical City of God, the highly acclaimed mystical revelations of the Blessed Virgin’s life by Venerable Mary of Agreda.
True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort
Hail Holy Queen by St. Alphonsus Liguori
The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
This last book helps to meditate on the sorrowful mysteries, which I too, believe are easiest to meditate on. this book tells that Our Lady also suffers the same pains as Our Lord.
I would be grateful to hear others thoughts on people who pray the rosary with their arms folded with or without rosary beads, I personally think it is disrespectful and shows lack of reverence, furthermore, people who pray the rosary with their arms round their back both with and without rosary beads, I have witnessed a number of people doing this including non-Europeans. Your thoughts on this practice would be appreciated.
I also wondered if someone can list for me the fruits that go with each mystery because I have two religions booklets detailing different fruits, and that has now confused me. This is the one I have been doing for years:
Joyful Mysteries:
The Annuniciation (Humility)
The Visitation (Charity)
The Nativity (Spirit of Poverty)
The Presentation (Obedience)
Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Piety)
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden (True Contrition)
Scourging at the Pillar (Purity)
Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage)
Carrying of the Cross (Patience)
Cruicifixion (Self-denial)
Glorious Mysteries
Resurrection (Faith)
Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven (Hope)
Descent of the Holy Ghost (Love of God)
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Devotion to Mary)
Cornonation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Final Perseverance) not sure if this is final perseverance or just everyday perseverance in difficulties of life general as well as at the end of your life.
I would be grateful if anyone has a different one or a source for me.
Comments are closed.