A question for Italian Catholics

  • Thread starter Thread starter futureKC123
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

futureKC123

Guest
+JMJ+
I know that the method of saying the Holy Rosary varies from country to country, how do Italian Catholics say the Rosary? I am asking because I would like to say it the way Padre Pio did ( beside the fact he said many 15 decade Rosaries a day ). P. S. I’m not looking for the Rosary in Italian

FKC
 
I don 't think there is any particularly unique way to pray the Rosary that comes from Italy. I was taught to pray the rosary by my Italian grandmother and it was the same way the nuns taught us in elementary school, and they weren’t Italian,
 
futureKC123 said:
+JMJ+
I know that the method of saying the Holy Rosary varies from country to country, how do Italian Catholics say the Rosary? I am asking because I would like to say it the way Padre Pio did ( beside the fact he said many 15 decade Rosaries a day ). P. S. I’m not looking for the Rosary in Italian

FKC
Click to expand...
Mother Angelica is Italian, have you listened to her say the Rosary? Same way everybody else does. Well, I think she adds a few more prayers at the end, but I don’t think that has to do with being Italian. When I was growing up in an Italian household we never said the Fatima Prayer, or the Hail Holy Queen or added exta prayers at the end, though, and neither did the Sisters at my school. It was basic Rosary.

However, I think our Rosaries were a bit flashier and more colorful than the average Rosary. 😉 My grandmother owned the Queen of flashy rosaries.
 
futureKC123 said:
+JMJ+
I know that the method of saying the Holy Rosary varies from country to country, how do Italian Catholics say the Rosary? I am asking because I would like to say it the way Padre Pio did ( beside the fact he said many 15 decade Rosaries a day ). P. S. I’m not looking for the Rosary in Italian

FKC
Click to expand...
Actually, my friend, Padre Pio was a Capuchin Franciscan Friar (OFM, Cap). We, Franciscans, have a very simple method of praying the rosary. We don’t add a lot of extra payers. It’s either the basic rosary, beginning with the Creed and ending with the Hail Holy Queen or we pray the Franciscan Crown, which has seven decades. The Capuchin Friars do not have a strong devotion to the Crown. It’s more common to the Observant Franciscans (OFM) and the Secular Franciscans (SFO). Some friars from the other branches of the Franciscan family and some of the sisters and nuns do pray the Franciscan Crown individually.

If you want to pray it like Padre Pio prayed it, just keep it very simple. Franciscans have never added anything to the rosary. We pray it very simply, but with as much concentration as we can. It’s also important to remember that it is prayed slowly and deliberately. At times you’re inspired to pause between the Aves and are drawn into communication with God at another level and then you return to the decade at hand. When the Spirit draws you into deeper prayer of contemplation, just go with the flow. When you pray it this way, it can take up to an hour to pray one rosary. The key is not to push it. Don’t add a lot of prayers to it and don’t push the Holy Spirit. Just pray slowly always keeping in mind that our dear Heavenly Mother is listening and guiding your prayer. I always begin by asking John Paul II to pray with me and they I pray. Since you have a devotion to St. Pio, you may want to begin by asking him to pray it with you.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
Interesting. I am 1/2 Italian. My grandparents were born in an area around Luca, Italy. They and their families all came here many years ago (early 1900s) as young adults. I have always had an affinity for the language and have studied it off and on for the last 20 years. You might think that I should be fluent by now but sadly such is not the case. But lately, I have returned to it in earnest and I really enjoy it. I might travel to Italy this year if I am lucky.

Regarding the Rosary, several years ago in connection with my Italian studies, I decided to learn the Hail Mary, the Lord’s prayer and the Glory be. It was enjoyable and did not take as long as I thought. I try to pray the rosary everyday and often say those prayers in Italian. I found a website that had the words in Italian. Ciao!
 
keephope said:
Interesting. I am 1/2 Italian. My grandparents were born in an area around Luca, Italy. They and their families all came here many years ago (early 1900s) as young adults. I have always had an affinity for the language and have studied it off and on for the last 20 years. You might think that I should be fluent by now but sadly such is not the case. But lately, I have returned to it in earnest and I really enjoy it. I might travel to Italy this year if I am lucky.

Regarding the Rosary, several years ago in connection with my Italian studies, I decided to learn the Hail Mary, the Lord’s prayer and the Glory be. It was enjoyable and did not take as long as I thought. I try to pray the rosary everyday and often say those prayers in Italian. I found a website that had the words in Italian. Ciao!
Click to expand...
È importante registratore pregare come San Pio non è la stessa preghiera in italiano. Nostra madre parla molte lingue. Pregate come San Pio è pregate con fede e amore.

It’s important to remember that to pray as St. Pio is not the same as praying in Italian. Our mother speaks many languages. To pray as St. Pio is to pray with faith and love.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
JReducation: I am a little puzzled by your response. I do not want to leave the impression that by my recitation of the prayers in Italian that it was a mere exercise in the study of Italian. I know what I am praying in Italian when I say those prayers and am sincere in doing so. I take exception to your assertion or insinuation that your way of saying the rosary is any more reverent or meaningful than mine.
 
keephope said:
JReducation: I am a little puzzled by your response. I do not want to leave the impression that by my recitation of the prayers in Italian that it was a mere exercise in the study of Italian. I know what I am praying in Italian when I say those prayers and am sincere in doing so. I take exception to your assertion or insinuation that your way of saying the rosary is any more reverent or meaningful than mine.
Click to expand...
Oh dear! :eek:

That’s not what I was trying to say at all. I apologize if it sounded that way.

I was trying to encourage everyone to pray with faith and love. Sometimes, people who have a deep devotion to a saint want to do things exactly like that saint did them and it’s not always possible. They get frustrated with themselves. The secret is to imitate the saint’s devotion. The how is not always going to be the same.

I was trying to make a general observation, not pointing the finger at you personally. I’m soooo sorry if it came off like that. I don’t make it a habit of picking off people and going “Bang Bang”. Just ask anyone who has been here for years.

Once again, I’m very sorry if I did not explain myself clearly.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
Sorry that misunderstood your post. I am new to CAF as you can see and tonight I have read several posts on the TC forum. I thought I was being flamed for not adhering to draconian form over substance when I was praying. My sensitivities are a little raw after reading the judgmental tone in some “strong” posts on the Pre and Post Vat. II discussions. I now see why the moderator closed off “discussion” on a few topics. I have read with interest your posts, appreciate your insights and sharing your journey. Peace 🙂
 
St Pio of Pietrelcina prayed the Rosary as his constant prayer in response to St Paul’s injunction to “pray always.”

He constantly prayed MANY decades throughout the day and night. His constant focus and spiritual gaze was on the Lord Jesus and His Most Holy Mother. The Hail Mary was like the Jesus Prayer for him (the Hail Mary in the West does have the Holy Name of Jesus in it and can certainly be a “Jesus Prayer” as a result).

He prayed constantly and his prayer groups around the world train their members to pray unceasingly as well.

That is really how St Pio of Pietrelcina “prayed the Rosary.”

Alex
 
Alexander_Roman said:
St Pio of Pietrelcina prayed the Rosary as his constant prayer in response to St Paul’s injunction to “pray always.”

He constantly prayed MANY decades throughout the day and night. His constant focus and spiritual gaze was on the Lord Jesus and His Most Holy Mother. The Hail Mary was like the Jesus Prayer for him (the Hail Mary in the West does have the Holy Name of Jesus in it and can certainly be a “Jesus Prayer” as a result).

He prayed constantly and his prayer groups around the world train their members to pray unceasingly as well.

That is really how St Pio of Pietrelcina “prayed the Rosary.”

Alex
Click to expand...
What you say about St. Pio is true. But I think that the OP was asking what prayers he said with the Rosary. That’s why I was explaining that he prayed it the way that all Franciscans pray it. Our method is very simple. We don’t add any prayers to it. We don’t even use the prayers that came into existence after Fatima. It’s very straightforward as it was handed down through the Middle Ages. We’re an interesting family. We have a very strong tradition of prayer, especially silent prayer and recollection. But we don’t have a strong tradition of formality in prayer. In fact, Padre Pio was a Friar Minor Capuchin. The Capuchin Reform took place at the time of the Protestant Reformation. The Franciscan reformers of that time, just like some of the Protestant reformers, were trying to simplify and return to the 13th century life of prayer. They simplified their rituals. To watch a Capuchin pray the rosary is beautiful. Because the stress is on recollection.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
I was kind of hoping this thread was going to have " What’s a matta you " in it somewhere!

ed
 
JReducation said:
Actually, my friend, Padre Pio was a Capuchin Franciscan Friar (OFM, Cap). We, Franciscans, have a very simple method of praying the rosary. We don’t add a lot of extra payers. It’s either the basic rosary, beginning with the Creed and ending with the Hail Holy Queen or we pray the Franciscan Crown, which has seven decades. The Capuchin Friars do not have a strong devotion to the Crown. It’s more common to the Observant Franciscans (OFM) and the Secular Franciscans (SFO). Some friars from the other branches of the Franciscan family and some of the sisters and nuns do pray the Franciscan Crown individually.

If you want to pray it like Padre Pio prayed it, just keep it very simple. Franciscans have never added anything to the rosary. We pray it very simply, but with as much concentration as we can. It’s also important to remember that it is prayed slowly and deliberately. At times you’re inspired to pause between the Aves and are drawn into communication with God at another level and then you return to the decade at hand. When the Spirit draws you into deeper prayer of contemplation, just go with the flow. When you pray it this way, it can take up to an hour to pray one rosary. The key is not to push it. Don’t add a lot of prayers to it and don’t push the Holy Spirit. Just pray slowly always keeping in mind that our dear Heavenly Mother is listening and guiding your prayer. I always begin by asking John Paul II to pray with me and they I pray. Since you have a devotion to St. Pio, you may want to begin by asking him to pray it with you.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
Click to expand...
I have a question to you. For some reason as there are many guides on how to pray the rosary and being new as a catholic (2 monhts) i was led to think one should add extra prayers after Hail Holy Queen. So your posting was a wake up call.

I also have a devotion for Padre Pio and begin to grow a fondness for the Franciscan spirituality. I use a benedictine rosary that was given me as a gift when i become catholic (convert i am).

My question is:
  1. Pray the rosary plain, simple and slow without any additional prayers, that is what you propose right?
  2. Should i get a plain and more simple rosary than the benedictine one i have, like the St Michael Franciscan rosary?
Any advice or good words are much appreciated.
 
DianaCC said:
With a lot of yelling and hand gestures, followed by a meal.
Click to expand...
Hahaha The first time I met my husband’s family, I later asked him why everyone was always yelling! I don’t even notice it anymore!
 
JReducation said:
If you want to pray it like Padre Pio prayed it, just keep it very simple. Franciscans have never added anything to the rosary. We pray it very simply, but with as much concentration as we can. It’s also important to remember that it is prayed slowly and deliberately. At times you’re inspired to pause between the Aves and are drawn into communication with God at another level and then you return to the decade at hand. When the Spirit draws you into deeper prayer of contemplation, just go with the flow. When you pray it this way, it can take up to an hour to pray one rosary. The key is not to push it. Don’t add a lot of prayers to it and don’t push the Holy Spirit. Just pray slowly always keeping in mind that our dear Heavenly Mother is listening and guiding your prayer. I always begin by asking John Paul II to pray with me and they I pray. Since you have a devotion to St. Pio, you may want to begin by asking him to pray it with you.
Click to expand...
Very interesting Brother and I appreciate your insight.

I often think that I’m wierd for finding it difficult to pray the rosary with a group who always seem to be rushing through it. I’ve always felt that it was very mechanical and I sometimes take 45 or 50 minutes to pray a rosary, very slow and deep breathing, body relaxed and reciting the basic prayers in time with my breath. I also meditate the mysteries and often picture myself and the person I am praying for standing beside me with both of us observing the adolescent Jesus in his Father’s house or the whips hitting him repeatedly.

I will have to try to ask St. Joseph and St. Augustine to pray it with me. What a wonderful suggestion.

Nothing really to add to the OP’s question. Sorry for going off on a tangent. Just thought I’d thank you for your insightful post.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
Very interesting Brother and I appreciate your insight.

I often think that I’m wierd for finding it difficult to pray the rosary with a group who always seem to be rushing through it. I’ve always felt that it was very mechanical and I sometimes take 45 or 50 minutes to pray a rosary, very slow and deep breathing, body relaxed and reciting the basic prayers in time with my breath. I also meditate the mysteries and often picture myself and the person I am praying for standing beside me with both of us observing the adolescent Jesus in his Father’s house or the whips hitting him repeatedly.

I will have to try to ask St. Joseph and St. Augustine to pray it with me. What a wonderful suggestion.

Nothing really to add to the OP’s question. Sorry for going off on a tangent. Just thought I’d thank you for your insightful post.

-Tim-
Click to expand...
I have experienced the same thing as you at my parish. I tried this evening for the first time to pray the rosary slow, citing the mysteries and it took me about 40 mins. This felt much better and i also stripped it down to the original way (without adding any prayers).

Now i look forward to read the readings from the Holy bible and then pray the rosary slow as i too have come to realize it should.

I also wish to say thanks for the insightful postings which opened my eyes.

🙂
 
lelhajj said:
Dear Brother Jay,
What do you mean by: recollection?:confused:
Click to expand...
“Franciscan mysticism teaches us that friendship and communion with God are possible in this life through cleansing one’s conscience, entering one’s heart, resting in loving stillness, and then rising above the heart to God alone.” (Francisco de Osuna: Third Spiritual Alphabet).

In other words, we approach prayer with a spirit of contrition for our sins, not thinking so much as allowing our heart to speak to God, allowing silence for God to respond and at the same time, remembering that we need not feel good when we pray. Knowledge of God’s presence is enough.

I can only offer my experience. When I pray the rosary, I KNOW that Our Lady is present. I KNOW that she is praying for me. I KNOW that Jesus will hear my prayers and grant my petitions, because he said, “Ask and you shall receive.” I don’t always feel anything. Most of the time, it requires a lot of refocussing to stay on task. Then there are moments when something enters my mind. This very morning, I was praying for my family and I remembered my deceased sister. I broke the decade for a moment and asked the Lord to give her eternal rest, if she was still in purgatory. I believe these interruptions are God speaking to us. In this case, it’s God asking me to pray for my sister.

There is also the silence of which Osuna speaks in his writings. Our Holy Father Francis loved the silence. Sometimes, nothing comes to mind during the rosary or we feel nothing. This is silence. We accept this silence. God does not always speak to the mind or the heart. He often enters into a deep and intimate dialogue with the soul. As long as we are focussed on praying God will do the rest, usually in great silence.
Padraig1972 said:
I have a question to you. For some reason as there are many guides on how to pray the rosary and being new as a catholic (2 monhts) i was led to think one should add extra prayers after Hail Holy Queen. So your posting was a wake up call.

I also have a devotion for Padre Pio and begin to grow a fondness for the Franciscan spirituality. I use a benedictine rosary that was given me as a gift when i become catholic (convert i am).

My question is:
  1. Pray the rosary plain, simple and slow without any additional prayers, that is what you propose right?
Click to expand...
That’s right.
  1. Should i get a plain and more simple rosary than the benedictine one i have, like the St Michael Franciscan rosary?
Click to expand...
By all means use it. The idea is not to fuss over how many prayers you should add to the rosary. God does not care whether the rosary itself is fancy or you use your fingers.

I was at the March for Life. I walked along this wonderful and very devout Evangelical Christian. He was truly impressive. After a little chatting, I pulled out my rosary. I invited him to pray with me. He politely declined. He was very gracious. I began to pray my rosary and I could hear him praying sub-vocally. When I finished he asked me about the beads. I explained that they were counters. He was surprised, because he had seen Catholics kissing the beads. He thought that they were some kind of talisman. I began to laugh at that point. I raised my hands and showed him my10 fingers. Then he laughed. He had never thought about it that way.

My point is that the beads are not what God is looking at. The beauty of the beads are for our gratification. Those are the little consolations that God allows us to experience. We should accept them as such.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top