Devotionals & sacramentals

[Jen7]

I’d also add not to feel pressured to do something that doesn’t work for you. I wasn’t called to the rosary for a long time and felt some guilt about it. That’s changed now, but it’s still not my go-to because I have others that suit me and my prayer life better.

Thank you so much for this! Maybe I won’t force it for now. I do feel guilt for not loving it when so many Catholics do! But maybe now is not the season…

 

[Jen7]

Just know, Jen, that not only am I and others here on CAF praying for you, but God’s holy family in heaven are praying for you as well. I hope and pray that God graces you with the gift to forget whatever it was that was traumatic for you in the past. God love you.

Thank you, this brought tears to my eyes.
I wish I could share the details of what happened re: the rosary in my childhood. But imagine this analogy: the child of alcoholics is handed a rosary and told if she prays it daily her life circumstances don’t need to change - she will instead get the “grace” to feel happy and accepting of the dysfunction in her world. So she prays daily for years… nothing changes in the circumstances or in her emotions about them. She gets criticized for any expression of frustration about the life-circumstances & told the frustration is a sign she hs not prayed enough. When she grows up she realizes this is all wrong - it’s not healthy to just soak in a dysfunctional situation and pray for “good feelings.” So she quits the rosary, moves away, starts her own life, and has never been happier.

I know none of that is the rosary’s fault. But the sick association is just kind of stuck in my emotional psyche if you will. Maybe pray it can get dislodged? I’d like to pray the rosary without the baggage. Although after the comments on his thread I may start saying it anyway and offer it up for clergy-abused people who are having a hard time going to Mass or staying Catholic at all. I cannot even imagine the pain!!

 

[CRV]

I really just want to add back in ONE thing right now…

The Divine Mercy Chaplet for a Devotional prayer, or start the devotion of the First First Fridays and First Saturdays .
Sacramental - yes, the Brown Scapular is most worthy, but you could also start keeping and using Holy Water at home.

 

[Jen7]

Why do so many people choose the brown scapular?

And how would you use holy water in the home? A font by the door like a church?

 

[CRV]

Reminder of being under Marys care and also too for me to be mindful of my devotions to her my mother.

To bless yourself with when making the sign of the cross. Yes, you can use a font or just buy a small bottle marked for Holy Water uses only and put your finger over the top of the bottle and up end it a little to get some on your finger tip to bless yourself with.

 

[CarmeliteKnight]

Why do so many people choose the brown scapular?

Because of the promise Our Lady of Mt. Carmel associated with it.

“Take this Scapular, it shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger and a pledge of
peace. Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.” This is Mary’s
promise made July 16, 1251 to Saint Simon Stock.
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Here are some sermons about it as well

In short, the brown scapular is an outward devotion. It is a sign that you have consecrated youself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is not magick, but a reminder to always be praying. To always remember that Our Lord’s blessed mother loves you and wants you to be close to her Son Jesus Christ. The little office of the blessed vigin Mary is also a good devotional associated with it. It’s like the Office of the hours, but only twice a day.

 

[CRV]

I wish I could share the details of what happened re: the rosary in my childhood. But imagine this analogy: the child of alcoholics is handed a rosary and told if she prays it daily her life circumstances don’t need to change - she will instead get the “grace” to feel happy and accepting of the dysfunction in her world. So she prays daily for years… nothing changes in the circumstances or in her emotions about them. She gets criticized for any expression of frustration about the life-circumstances & told the frustration is a sign she hs not prayed enough. When she grows up she realizes this is all wrong - it’s not healthy to just soak in a dysfunctional situation and pray for “good feelings.” So she quits the rosary, moves away, starts her own life, and has never been happier.

Gross understatement - so so sad. For you, for your association with the Rosary, for your family upbringing and the circumstances of your childhood (using this analogy).

the child of alcoholics is handed a rosary and told if she prays it daily her life circumstances don’t need to change - she will instead get the “grace” to feel happy and accepting of the dysfunction in her world.

Sometimes the answer to our prayers can be the grace to accept a situation doesn’t change and the grace to carry our cross. BUT that should never be said to a child. Gosh, a lot of adults have great difficulty accepting that.

So she prays daily for years… nothing changes in the circumstances or in her emotions about them.

Whilst nothing in the circumstances changes due to the other people involved, the child in this analogy did receive the grace to survive their ordeal and come out the other end to move on in their life - they made it through until they could start their own life and move away.

She gets criticized for any expression of frustration about the life-circumstances & told the frustration is a sign she hs not prayed enough.

In this analogy, it would seem to be blame shifting by the parents, so in effect they don’t have to accept any responsibility for the way things are nor make any changes within themselves or their situation.

When she grows up she realizes this is all wrong - it’s not healthy to just soak in a dysfunctional situation and pray for “good feelings.

continued below

 

[CRV]

continued

That self realization is a blessing and hopefully the point where one will change their thinking in regards to what they pray for ie the ‘matter/object’ being prayed for as well as for the grace to accept God’s Will in all things which can include interior peace with the situation.

But the sick association is just kind of stuck in my emotional psyche if you will. Maybe pray it can get dislodged? I’d like to pray the rosary without the baggage.

I may start saying it anyway and offer it up for clergy-abused people who are having a hard time going to Mass or staying Catholic at all

I think that’s part of it. The child in the analogy was praying for their own happiness and situation. Perhaps praying the rosary for others will change your attitude to and associations with the rosary.

 

[Swiftdove]

Oh lol. Golly.