Changing the Rosary

[Lady_Cygnus]

A curious question…has anyone ever thought about changing the lines in the Hail Mary during the rosary to a line from a litany to our Lady?

For example during the Annunciation:
Holy Mary, by whose Fiat the Son of God came into the World, pray for us now and at the hour of our death

Crucifiction:
Holy Mary, whose heart was nailed to the cross of Jesus, pray for us…

Pentacost:
Holy Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us…

Coronation:
Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us…

Ok, I just started thinking about this and these are the only ones I can think of at the moment. What do you think. If you think it is a good idea, any suggestions?

 

[m134e5]

I do not think your example is a good idea. It seems to deny that Mary is the mother of God. There is a better way to incorporate the names of the mysteries into each Hail Mary.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, who was born of the Virgin Mary (etc.)”.

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

m134e5:

I do not think your example is a good idea. It seems to deny that Mary is the mother of God. There is a better way to incorporate the names of the mysteries into each Hail Mary.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, who was born of the Virgin Mary (etc.)”.

I do not understand. I’m not suggesting changing the first part of the hail mary, only the second…

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, [insert other title related to the current mystery here], pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death. Amen.

This doesn’t deny she is the Mother of God, as it’s said in the first part that she is. And often the other titles enhance the image of her motherhood (the first example comes to mind - “by whose fiat the Son of God came into the world”).

I see this as a way to help concentrate on the mysteries (as my mind tends to wander).

 

[Aureole]

The Hail Mary isn’t like the Mass, there aren’t any rubrics for it. It’s a spiritual blessing, of course, so you really can change whatever you like about it. I thought the examples you gave were wonderful, just be sure you don’t get so familiar with them that you say “Holy Mary, whose heart was nailed to the Cross of Jesus…” in group prayer. Not only would you be confused, but I’m sure the people around you would be confused as well (Not to mention slightly embarrassing. Of course, you could use it as an opportunity to help share your changes.)

I think that St. Louis de Montfort did something like this based on the mysteries used. He added a small part after “Jesus”? (I’m not 100% sure but something like “… blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus crucified.” for the Sorrowful mystery of the Crucifixion.)

 

[Aureole]

Lady Cygnus:

I do not understand. I’m not suggesting changing the first part of the hail mary, only the second…

I think that m134e5 was just mentioning that it takes out the words “Mother of God” from the Hail Mary, that’s all.
Lady Cygnus:

I see this as a way to help concentrate on the mysteries (as my mind tends to wander).

Me too! I found that a little insertion in the Hail Mary (Like Louis de Montfort did) was a great help to keep me focussed on the mysteries. Often I get lost in the Hail Mary themself, being as beautiful a prayer as it is. Your idea would very likely help you to keep your mind on the mysteries. I say “If it helps you focus on Jesus, do it!”

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

Aureole:

The Hail Mary isn’t like the Mass, there aren’t any rubrics for it. It’s a spiritual blessing, of course, so you really can change whatever you like about it. I thought the examples you gave were wonderful, just be sure you don’t get so familiar with them that you say “Holy Mary, whose heart was nailed to the Cross of Jesus…” in group prayer. Not only would you be confused, but I’m sure the people around you would be confused as well (Not to mention slightly embarrassing. Of course, you could use it as an opportunity to help share your changes.)

AH…good point. I hadn’t thought about that as I don’t pray often in group. That does appear to be the only time when it might get me in trouble

I think that St. Louis de Montfort did something like this based on the mysteries used. He added a small part after “Jesus”? (I’m not 100% sure but something like “… blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus crucified.” for the Sorrowful mystery of the Crucifixion.)

I used to say the name of the mystery before each Hail Mary, but I never really liked it. Perhaps saying the relation to Jesus at the end might be better, I’ll think about it.

I think that m134e5 was just mentioning that it takes out the words “Mother of God” from the Hail Mary, that’s all.

Oh I see…I’m sorry I misunderstood m134e5!

Me too! I found that a little insertion in the Hail Mary (Like Louis de Montfort did) was a great help to keep me focussed on the mysteries. Often I get lost in the Hail Mary themself, being as beautiful a prayer as it is. Your idea would very likely help you to keep your mind on the mysteries. I say “If it helps you focus on Jesus, do it!”

Thanks for you’re suggestions and (name removed by moderator)ut Aureole

 

[Mike_O]

The Haily Mary is fine the way it is.

For concentrating on the mysteries, you might use the following formula. I cannot recall its origins, but, as someone mentioned, it might have been St. Louis who coined it:

Begin normal Hail Mary

After “…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” insert the mystery.

For instance, today comprises the Joyful Mysteries. You would say:

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you carried in your womb visiting Saint Elizabeth”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, who was born of you in Bethlehem”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you presented in the temple”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you found in the temple”

These are said in the middle of all 50 Hail Marys comprising the 5 decades. The same for the other days. It may be a help for meditation.

This page mentions the customary formulation of the others:

themage.net/Catholic/Rosary.htm

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

Mike O:

The Haily Mary is fine the way it is.

For concentrating on the mysteries, you might use the following formula. I cannot recall its origins, but, as someone mentioned, it might have been St. Louis who coined it:

Begin normal Hail Mary

After “…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” insert the mystery.

For instance, today comprises the Joyful Mysteries. You would say:

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you carried in your womb visiting Saint Elizabeth”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, who was born of you in Bethlehem”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you presented in the temple”

“…blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, whom you found in the temple”

These are said in the middle of all 50 Hail Marys comprising the 5 decades. The same for the other days. It may be a help for meditation.

This page mentions the customary formulation of the others:

themage.net/Catholic/Rosary.htm

Oh I like this better - but I may still alter a few - I really like the one “by whose fiat the Son of God came into the world…” Perhaps to “who, by your fiat, came into the world.” Anyway thanks for the suggestion and website

 

[Eileen_T]

Or berfore each Hail Mary holyspiritinteractive.net/prayers/therosary/scripturalrosary.asp

You are not meant to pray it, concentrating on the words, but on the mystery. While that seems to be what you are trying to achieve, I would find it a bit distracting from the contemplation to insert the reflection in the middle of the prayer.

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

Eileen T:

Or berfore each Hail Mary holyspiritinteractive.net/prayers/therosary/scripturalrosary.asp

You are not meant to pray it, concentrating on the words, but on the mystery. While that seems to be what you are trying to achieve, I would find it a bit distracting from the contemplation to insert the reflection in the middle of the prayer.

Yes, I am trying to contemplate on the mystery, my only problem is I’m really bad at contemplative prayer…or just concentrating in general. I’ll start the decade contemplating the mystery and by the 10th Hail Mary be wondering about the foliage of South America.

So the reason why I’m doing this is more of a kick in the tush so to speak. Asking myself “Are you thinking about the current mystery? No, you don’t care about South America, remember which mystery you are on and concentrate on that!”

thanks for the link suggestion!

 

[Aureole]

There have already been so many wonderful suggestions but I’d like to add another one. I would have mentioned it before but I was at school and lacked the website. Anyhow, here’s an entirely different way of praying the Rosary, one that you haven’t likely seen before. I’ve prayed it and it was absolutely, 100% conducive to meditating on the mysteries, since you have a brief reading before each Hail Mary. The main problem I had was that I already knew the other way of praying the Rosary and didn’t take the time to pray this one all that often. It is very beautiful though and covers every mystery in one Rosary.

Anyhow, I hope you do end up focussing on the mysteries, however you do it. I’m just like you and I struggle with foliage in South America by the tenth Hail Mary, so maybe I ought to pray like St. Louis de Montfort or prayer the ancient Rosary?