Having trouble with the Rosary

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Great question. I used to really struggle with the Rosary. At this point in my life I am using 1 to 3 scriptural quotes to help me focus on a particular Mystery. For example, the Crucifixion; I find the thief’s words very inspiring: “Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy Kingdom.” Distraction always happens to me to some extent. I recently read somewhere (maybe Padre Pio) of distractions being like a dog who runs off from his Master while they are walking, but the dog remembers to come running back to his Master. If you like dogs you might like that analogy…
 
I second/third or whatever on praying along with a Scriptural Rosary. They are wonderful in that you say a verse from scripture prior to reciting the Hail Mary so your mind is attuned to the subject of the mystery upon which you are meditating.

This is my favorite Scriptural Rosary book. I owned one prior to the addition of the Luminous Mysteries, and when it was ruined (don’t carry bottles of water in the same bag with your religious materials!) I ordered a new one, complete with the Luminous Mysteries. It has all of the prayers you will need, as well as the history of the Scriptural Rosary and how to go about praying it. I highly recommend it.
 
Another vote for having images in front of you. I’m a very visual person, so if I’m planning on saying the Rosary the whole way through (and not saying it in bed, falling asleep in the middle), then I need some sort of visual cue to help me refocus that monkey mind of mine.

I’ve got the little pamplets, and the pictures are ok, but if you do your own image search, with an hour computer’s time, you could assemble your own image gallery, full of images that speak to you about each mystery. That way, even if you’re concentrating on the Hail Mary’s, and can’t get them to “fade into the background”, you’re still contemplating scenes from our Lord’s life.

Cheers,
Cari
 
I like Sorrow, have the best luck saying it in church, but don’t beat myself up about it other places, I am trying and the devil wont keep me from getting discouraged by distractions. If I can do 1 decade in the car going to work that’s great, another coming home, or at lunch, even better. I heard a priest at EWTN say he did rosary that way, breaking it up sometimes over the day and it kept his thoughts on God and Mary and not on the guy driving too slow ahead of him. : )
I also fall asleep often if I pray it in bed, but again, better to go to sleep praying than thinking of bills or other problems. I think the best advice to just to pray how you can and don’t try to do it “the right way”. The right way is a relationship between you and Mary and Jesus. How you get there is personal. Just keep working at it and try to give them some time during the week that is just theirs.
 
An explaination I heard about the Rosary: The prayers are the body of the Rosary and the meditation is the soul of the Rosary. The more you say the Rosary the more comfortable you will be with it and navigating through it will be second nature.

Gd Bless and keep praying the Rosary!👍
 
ANOTHER THING…

I’m a huge fan of my Palm Pilot (Palm support needs prayer, but…)

I found several copies of the Rosary that I could put on my PDA. It is nice because when I’m waiting in a line, or in an airport I can do it. Also, I can do my prayers when in meetings (they think I’m playing a game, I guess)

It is also easier for me to not have to handle beads. I typically don’t use beads, anyway. I find the beads distracting (even though I know they are intended to keep me aware of where I am, my mind wanders way too much, and I wind up just stroking the beads)

Honestly, I have worked at learning the Rosary by finding it in whatever form I can get it in: pamphlets, single page sheets, the PDA, audio, hear someone doing a Rosary? Kneel down next to them and join in.

I do regret that I didn’t grow up with the Rosary. I didn’t ‘discover’ the Rosary until I was an adult. I am so grateful for Mary Grace (from Sacred Heart) who helped me to learn to LOVE the Rosary.

And I think it’s great that you are aware that you need to get better at your Rosary. It is a wonderful tool, and very consoling!
 
I used to struggle with concentration too. I was teaching 6th graders CCD at the time. It frustrated me no end. Finally, one night I had a dream, got up and wrote a poem about it, and I used it to teach the children as well.

It was something I still dig out every now and then even today when I have concentration problems.

How is it that You Love me Lord?
Let me try to count the ways.

You have loved me from forever… in so many Joyful ways.

The First was with an angel…unto the Virgin came.
Second was Marys visit to Elizabeth…loves coming to proclaim.
The third was in the stable…where your joyful love was born.
Fourth was in Jerusalem…loves presentation made.
The Fifth was in the temple, where your joyful love was found.

How is it that You Love me Lord?
You have loved me from forever… in so** many Sorrowful ways.**

The First was in the Garden and the tears You shed for me.
The Second bound to a pillar and the stripes You bore for me.
The Third was with a Crown of thorns…the one You wore for me.
Fourth was on a dusty road, and the cross you bore for me.
The Fifth was on a lonely hill where You bled and died for me.

How is it that You Love me Lord?
You have loved me from forever…** in so many Glorious ways.**

The First was with Your rising…and the Power of Your love to show.
The Second was Your Ascension…loves hope…You will come again.
Third was the coming of Your Holy Spirit…the love of God to know.
Fourth was Mary’s Assumption…the Power of Grace to show.
Fifth was Mary’s Coronation, Your Queen of all hearts to know.

As I reflect upon Your Mysterious love…may I always perservere.
When I count my joys and sorrows, may I always give thanks to You.
If perhaps sometimes my cross seems much too hard to bear, may I always remember You.
And as I count Your mysterious ways of Love…may I always follow You.

In All ways do you love me Lord, John 3:16 I know.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son,”
That we may all have Life and Love to the Fullest.
 
yessisan said:
I bought a CD of the Rosary as well. I still have a hard time concentrating on praying the Rosary, but it sure helps out a lot. I got it from www.therosary.info It has nice soothing music in the background and a male voice leads the prayers and a female voice follows.

I love it but still have to work on concentrating on it when I’m driving (where I live, drivers are crazy).
Click to expand...
Actually my CD copies which I have ripped to my iPod for convince are the St. Philomena Foundation ones. They are free but ask for the donation if you use a credit card online.

saintphilomena.com/Howreq.htm
 
I have just discovered the wonders of the Rosary, and have the same problem. I think its better if you get used to praying WITHOUT the Mysteries first, then move on to the Mysteries when you’ve got used to that.
 
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