A Lutheran with a question

[themattman]

Ok thank you. This is what I have been told. I hope I did not offend anyone on here. If so, sorry.
So I bought “Catholic for avreason” vol. 1 by Scott Hann. Hevseems to be a big favorite of a lot of you. I have also been in contact with Stephen Ray. He has been very kind and helpful.
One more thing, why do you pray the rosary? I hope you don’t get tired of my questions.
Thank you all
Matt

 

[Gabriel_Serafin]

Ok thank you. This is what I have been told. I hope I did not offend anyone on here. If so, sorry.
So I bought “Catholic for avreason” vol. 1 by Scott Hann. Hevseems to be a big favorite of a lot of you. I have also been in contact with Stephen Ray. He has been very kind and helpful.
One more thing, why do you pray the rosary? I hope you don’t get tired of my questions.
Thank you all
Matt

As for the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, realize that God is outside of time, where there is no past or future. He exists in what theologians describe as an “Eternal Now”. Thus the Mass allows us to participate and be present at the most holy sacrifice offered on Calvary 2000+ years ago. At the Mass, we are fed the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in Holy Communion (Holy Eucharist), which we can go as often as every day, as the Mass is offered every hour every day somewhere in the world, making the Sacrifice present for all generations to participate in. Through the Holy Eucharist we receive sanctifying grace so that we too can become saints within the span of time we are given on earth.

As for the Holy Rosary, this is a meditation on the Life of Jesus Christ. The more you know God, the more you will love Him. So the more we meditate on Jesus Christ’s life the more we will we fall in love with Him, and the more we will want to serve and imitate Him.

Here is a short little video that visually shows you all the 20 mysteries of the Rosary. It’s worth watching, and by the end of it you will have meditated on the life of Jesus Christ: CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO NOW

 

[JRKH]

Ok thank you. This is what I have been told. I hope I did not offend anyone on here. If so, sorry.
So I bought “Catholic for avreason” vol. 1 by Scott Hann. Hevseems to be a big favorite of a lot of you. I have also been in contact with Stephen Ray. He has been very kind and helpful.
One more thing, why do you pray the rosary? I hope you don’t get tired of my questions.
Thank you all
Matt

We never get tired of questions that are asked by sincere people looking to understand. so bring them on…

There are many reasons for praying the rosary.
The Rosary is a way of praying that allows for mediation on a number of events in the life of Christ and Mary. These are referred to as “Mysteries”. It is a very “biblical” prayer.
For me (and perhaps for many) the rosary provides a structure and almost a “chant” that allows for calming ones self and growing into a relaxed state of meditation on God in general. Thinking about the mysteries draws one into the life of the Gospel. Praying the “Hail Marys” brings forth the joy and wonder of the announcement of the incarnation.
In short it is a great affirmation of the whole of Christ’s life in the Gospels.

I’m sure others can offer different reasons for praying the rosary.

Peace
James

 

[themattman]

As for the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, realize that God is outside of time, where there is no past or future. He exists in what theologians describe as an “Eternal Now”. Thus the Mass allows us to participate and be present at the most holy sacrifice offered on Calvary 2000+ years ago. At the Mass, we are fed the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in Holy Communion (Holy Eucharist), which we can go as often as every day, as the Mass is offered every hour every day somewhere in the world, making the Sacrifice present for all generations to participate in. Through the Holy Eucharist we receive sanctifying grace so that we too can become saints within the span of time we are given on earth.

As for the Holy Rosary, this is a meditation on the Life of Jesus Christ. The more you know God, the more you will love Him. So the more we meditate on Jesus Christ’s life the more we will we fall in love with Him, and the more we will want to serve and imitate Him.

Here is a short little video that visually shows you all the 20 mysteries of the Rosary. It’s worth watching, and by the end of it you will have meditated on the life of Jesus Christ: CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO NOW

Thank you for sharing that video. I really enjoyed it. So back to the Rosary. There is not a Catholic Book store in my town, so i am going to have to order a Rosary on-line. I hope it does not cost that much.I don’t really have much to spare right now, since i have been unemployed since August. That’s another subject that you can pray for. But anyway, what would you suggest?
Matt

 

[JRKH]

Thank you for sharing that video. I really enjoyed it. So back to the Rosary. There is not a Catholic Book store in my town, so i am going to have to order a Rosary on-line. I hope it does not cost that much.I don’t really have much to spare right now, since i have been unemployed since August. That’s another subject that you can pray for. But anyway, what would you suggest?
Matt

If you do not have much money, may I suggest that you stop by your nearest Catholic parish office and ask…I would bet that they would be happy to help.
If that does not work, if you want to PM me your address I would be happy to mail you a rosary.
You could also make a rosary from beads available at a Craft store, or from most anything - even dried peas… Or you could just get a long string and tie knots in it.

In truth, you do not need the beads to pray the rosary. You can count the decades on your fingers,

Peace
James

 

[pablope]

Thank you for sharing that video. I really enjoyed it. So back to the Rosary. There is not a Catholic Book store in my town, so i am going to have to order a Rosary on-line. I hope it does not cost that much.I don’t really have much to spare right now, since i have been unemployed since August. That’s another subject that you can pray for. But anyway, what would you suggest?
Matt

You can ask for one at the local parish church. Or you can PM me your address and I will send you one or two or how many do you need.

God bless…

 

[pablope]

If you do not have much money, may I suggest that you stop by your nearest Catholic parish office and ask…I would bet that they would be happy to help.
If that does not work, if you want to PM me your address I would be happy to mail you a rosary.
You could also make a rosary from beads available at a Craft store, or from most anything - even dried peas… Or you could just get a long string and tie knots in it.

In truth, you do not need the beads to pray the rosary. You can count the decades on your fingers,

Peace
James

OOpppss…beat me to it, James.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Here is the Rosary online. You don’t need an actual Rosary, though it is good to have one. I hope you take James up on his offer. He’ll probably send you a little pamphlet also - “How to Pray the Rosary.” There is something very comforting about feeling the beads slide through your fingers as you pray. There are times I hold onto it without praying it when I need strength.

Anyway, this should help you get started. One need not be a Catholic to pray the Rosary!

ourcatholicfaith.org/onlinerosary.html

 

[Miriam1947]

Thank you for sharing that video. I really enjoyed it. So back to the Rosary. There is not a Catholic Book store in my town, so i am going to have to order a Rosary on-line. I hope it does not cost that much.I don’t really have much to spare right now, since i have been unemployed since August. That’s another subject that you can pray for. But anyway, what would you suggest?
Matt

Many churches have rosary groups where they make rosaries and give them away.

 

[themattman]

I am thinking Bout going to one talk to a priest sometime after the holidays, and also visit the eucuristic adoration that we have at our Catholic Hospital. Is it ok for a non Catholic to go and pray there?
There seems to be so much more to the Catholic faith, versus the Protestant faith. My head is spinning, so I need to just focus on the foundations right now. So if you have any suggestions that souls great.
Thanks
Matthew

 

[Miriam1947]

I am thinking Bout going to one talk to a priest sometime after the holidays, and also visit the eucuristic adoration that we have at our Catholic Hospital. Is it ok for a non Catholic to go and pray there?
There seems to be so much more to the Catholic faith, versus the Protestant faith. My head is spinning, so I need to just focus on the foundations right now. So if you have any suggestions that souls great.
Thanks
Matthew

The chapel is open to everyone. Eucharistic adoration is amazing.

eucuristic = Eucharistic. It’s capitalized because it is Jesus.

 

[JRKH]

I am thinking Bout going to one talk to a priest sometime after the holidays, and also visit the Eucharistic adoration that we have at our Catholic Hospital. Is it ok for a non Catholic to go and pray there?

Absolutely it is OK for a non-Catholic to go and pray before the Eucharist. Please do.
Also - it is great that you are thinking about talking to a priest after the holidays. Nothing like having a “one-on-one” with someone who knows what they are talking about.

There seems to be so much more to the Catholic faith, versus the Protestant faith. My head is spinning, so I need to just focus on the foundations right now. So if you have any suggestions that souls great.

Yes there is a great deal to the faith. It really IS a way of life and thinking that has been built up, developed, and passed on over the centuries/millenia.

Foundationally, I’d suggest attending mass regularly as being the biggest thing. It is the summit of our faith because it is here that we meet Jesus “face to face” in the Holy Eucharist.
Beyond that, well - It’s hard to say - read things like the Catechism and perhaps something basic like Catholicism for dummies and then just keep asking questions. If we get too complicated in our answers just say so…

Peace
James

 

[themattman]

I started to pray the Rosary. So her is a question, why does it seem so repudiative to me? I have always been told to make your prayers short and sweet or just talke to God.
I have been listening to Relevant Radio. It’s been very helpful. I even made contact with Stephen RAy. He is sending me his book, and said that after I read it, to call him and he would discus the faith more with me. Very cool.
Matthew

 

[JRKH]

I started to pray the Rosary. So her is a question, why does it seem so repudiative to me? I have always been told to make your prayers short and sweet or just talke to God.

I’m not entirely sure I understand the question but here is my 2 cents.
Perhaps the problem is simply because the Rosary IS so different from what you have been taught. The Rosary is a very contemplative prayer. It is built upon the prayers themselves, but then, as you repeat these prayers the mind thinks less about the words themselves and more about the mysteries and God and Christ and our journey and Jesus ministry and what God wants from us and…so on and so on…and this goes on through-out the prayer. The mind moving off in one direction, then being recalled to the prayers - a new mystery - a new contemplation - moving off in another direction, then being recalled again - something in the our father catches your thought - oh - a new mystery - more contemplation - then another thought, another recall, another thought another contemplation another mystery…and so on…
It’s hard to explain. I don’t know if you have heard of “Lectio Divina”, or “divine reading” yet. There are some various forms, but basically it is a process where one reads a piece of Scripture, slowly and carefully until something in it catches your attention and you meditate on it.
The Rosary is sort of like this. It is a way to structure mediation, keep one focused and provide a “recall” method should the mind wander too much (as mine does).

At least this is how I view the matter. I’m sure others will offer better insight.

I have been listening to Relevant Radio. It’s been very helpful. I even made contact with Stephen Ray. He is sending me his book, and said that after I read it, to call him and he would discus the faith more with me. Very cool.
Matthew

This is really great.

Peace
James

 

[pablope]

I started to pray the Rosary. So her is a question, why does it seem so repudiative to me? I have always been told to make your prayers short and sweet or just talke to God.
I have been listening to Relevant Radio. It’s been very helpful. I even made contact with Stephen RAy. He is sending me his book, and said that after I read it, to call him and he would discus the faith more with me. Very cool.
Matthew

Hi, Matt…did you mean “repetitive” and not repudiative?

Every mystery touches on the life of Christ. Try to picture in your mind the events of the mystery as you go through the each decade.

Here is a link with suggestions for each mystery…how-to-pray-the-rosary.com/

Or you can join the Rosary group of this site for more advice…just go to groups and seach for the Rosary group.

 

[themattman]

Hi, Matt…did you mean “repetitive” and not repudiative?

Every mystery touches on the life of Christ. Try to picture in your mind the events of the mystery as you go through the each decade.

Here is a link with suggestions for each mystery…how-to-pray-the-rosary.com/

Or you can join the Rosary group of this site for more advice…just go to groups and seach for the Rosary group.

Yes I did mean repetitive. Auto correct messes me up all of the time. It’s nice to have, but sometimes it really makes you look dumb.
Anyway, thank you for explaining my scrambled question. You are right. Io have never prayed like this, so it seems long a drawn out. But I see now the reason snd I will keep learning and praying.
I am just so impressed snd overwhelmed with the Catholic faith. I know I have said it before, but it there is so much more then what I am used to. With that said, io have always been told that we need not to add more to it. So I am going to take this slow land focus on one thing at a time.
Thank you
Matthew

 

[JRKH]

Yes I did mean repetitive. Auto correct messes me up all of the time. It’s nice to have, but sometimes it really makes you look dumb.

Matt - I know what you mean about auto-correct and such things…

Anyway, thank you for explaining my scrambled question. You are right. Io have never prayed like this, so it seems long a drawn out. But I see now the reason and I will keep learning and praying.

You are welcome.
As much as most Catholics like to distance themselves from things “Eastern”, personally I cannot deny the “connection” between the repetitive nature of the Rosary and the “Chant” or “mantra” of far Eastern Spirituality. Both serve as methods of focus and entering deep prayer/meditation. Where they differ is in their object and goal.
Plus, a mantra is normally something “nonsensical” - just a sound - comforting but leading nowhere particular. The Rosary on the other hand is not nonsensical - it is definite prayers with a definite focus and goal.

I am just so impressed and overwhelmed with the Catholic faith. I know I have said it before, but it there is so much more then what I am used to. With that said, I have always been told that we need not to add more to it. So I am going to take this slow land focus on one thing at a time.

This is wise…Having grown up in the faith I am not as “overwhelmed” but still I am amazed at the great diversity and richness of the faith. It’s like walking into a great banquet hall with tables filled with a huge variety of delicacies, colors, aromas and textures. Where does one start??? How does one choose what is best for him/her???

It is best to take it slow and walk around, sampling this and sampling that, choosing what feeds your spirit the best.

Peace
James