A rosary question

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LutheranDK

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And no - this time it’s not about how to use it, or why it’s used. It’s about the thing itself:

When I were living in Jerusalem for 6 months, an RC friend of mine gave me a rosary as a birthday present, and told me she had had it blessed by a priest.

Although I DO (make no mistake about that!) appreciate the added gesture that this must have been on her part, and of course thanked her!, I’ve failed to see ever since what difference it would make.

Because as I understand it, the rosary itself (the cross and pearls tied together in a string) is simply a tool, nothing more, nothing less; a tool to help us pray the same prayers regularly. So what difference does it make to have a priest bless it?
 
An item blessed by a priest is special to Catholics and Orhtodox Christians. The item is set aside for something special…something that is used for meditation, prayer, etc. An item like that is special. We have many in my home. However, once the item becomes unusuable and the need to “discard it” becomes apparent, it should be burried, not thrown away, as i did once I thought I was not Catholic…shameful act that I confess to constantly to teach others a form of mistake. I put it back together again now that I’ve returned. It belonged to my father…i carved it for him and had a deacon bless it for me in high school. When dad died and it was given back to me I pulled it all apart and ironically hung the crucifix up on my wall as a memory of my father…not Christ. Ultimately I ended up putting it back together once I came back home.

You should be or feel great for receiveing such an item. I realize it may not mean much to you. But I know a Lutheran friend that bragged about wearing a dove around her neck that was blessed by the Pope, JPII. She doesn’t even consider herself Lutheran anymore and more of a non-denominational [Baptist slant] church.

Treat it with respect.
 
Having a sacramental such as a rosary blessed is an affirmation that God uses physical things of this world to bring about His Graces. When a priest says a blessing over an item, he asks the Lord that the person using it can gain a greater closeness and understanding of Him through its use. Does the item itself give grace to the person? No. Faith of the person does, and by reciting prayers on the rosary, it indicates to the Lord that the person is approaching Him openly through actions and deeds.

I hope this helps. God bless!
 
LutheranDK said:
… So what difference does it make to have a priest bless it?
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You know, although I’m Catholic, I agree with your concern. I don’t get it either. 🤷

I’m used to Holy Water and other blessed items (such as rosary beads) only because it is a part of my up-bringing from my parents and their culture. (I can recall a time when my parents bought a new car and they got their priest to bless it.)

But, I do think **Tonks40 **(above) explained it well… even though sometimes I don’t believe it. 😊 I guess I’m of little faith.
 
LutheranDK said:
And no - this time it’s not about how to use it, or why it’s used. It’s about the thing itself:

When I were living in Jerusalem for 6 months, an RC friend of mine gave me a rosary as a birthday present, and told me she had had it blessed by a priest.

Although I DO (make no mistake about that!) appreciate the added gesture that this must have been on her part, and of course thanked her!, I’ve failed to see ever since what difference it would make.

Because as I understand it, the rosary itself (the cross and pearls tied together in a string) is simply a tool, nothing more, nothing less; a tool to help us pray the same prayers regularly. So what difference does it make to have a priest bless it?
Click to expand...
God seeks to work with humans on a personal level. He desires to infuse his grace into His people and the things around them. Any blessed tool is simply a medium of God’s grace and blessing.

Do you ask God to bless your home, your children, your job or your finances? If you do, then why is blessing an object any different? You are asking God to share His infinite amount of grace in a special way to you.

When you ask God to be a part of your life and bless the things around you, He listens and bestows His grace upon you and/or the object. I have asked God to bless my Bible, my crucifix, water, anointing oil and so many other things. I have asked that these things be infused with His grace and be used to repel the forces of evil.

Every time I do this I get a shower of chills over my body. I believe that whatever I ask in Jesus’ name will be done. Faith is so important in this. Let Him bless you. Don’t limit His ability to touch you and your objects in a special way.

I mean this with no condemnation, but as an admonition to a sister in Christ. I visit a Lutheran church myself.

Peace…

MW
 
The Rosary is the “weapon” against Satan as said by St. Padre Pio.
All the prayers of the Rosary are in the Gospels. I say it all the time and I swear by it. It will help you in times of darkness. It has helped me.
Why don’t you say it one time before bed? It is quite simple and brings many blessings.
I promise you won’t turn into a troll or something…😃
 
mommyof4 said:
Garlic!😃

Seriously, though, rosaries are not “good luck charms,” or amulets, etc.
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Amen!

I am truely bothered by the role that the rosary has taken in some gang circles:a protection against death. WRONG!!
 
The idea behind blessing items is indeed, as an earlier poster stated, that God works powerfully through physical things.

Think of Acts where people are healed by handkerchiefs that Paul has blessed. Somehow I’m doubting that an ordinary unblessed handkerchief would’ve done the job.
 
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