Help me better meditate on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary

[Online_Knight]

I have been praying a daily rosary for many years now, but still struggle. Can anyone through me suggestions for better concentration… methods to keep my mind from wandering? I remember seeing a list of ten separate things to meditate on for each mystery (one for each Hail Mary) but I can’t find it anymore. Maybe that would help.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be most appreciated!

Bless you all!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

You will never be 100% without distractions completely, even if the Blessed Mother appeared to you, while you were praying. St. Bernadette said she got distracted while praying the Rosary, by Our Lady’s beauty.

Anyway, the way I’ve been saying the Rosary is, before I begin the decade, I contemplate on the mystery. Then, as I say the decade, I put my self in the presence of the one who is the focus of the mystery, Jesus Christ. He is present within, and just being with Him as you say the Hail Mary’s, is all that the Rosary is about. When you suddenly find that you’ve wandered off, just gently return to the Hail Mary’s and again, place yourself in His presence.

Jim

 

[Philothea53]

I have been praying a daily rosary for many years now, but still struggle. Can anyone through me suggestions for better concentration… methods to keep my mind from wandering? I remember seeing a list of ten separate things to meditate on for each mystery (one for each Hail Mary) but I can’t find it anymore. Maybe that would help.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be most appreciated!

Bless you all!

Just stopped in for a minute and thought I could share these with you. I so understand where you are coming from!

rosarycreations.com/scripturalrosary.htm

easterbrooks.com/personal/calendar/rosary.html

scripturalrosary.blogspot.com/2007/07/scriptural-rosary-work-in-progress.html

rosarynmore.com/rosary1.html

catholicdoors.com/prayers/english/p04200.htm

 

[SPQR]

The best advice I’ve seen on this is St Romuald’s “Brief Rule”:

**** Sit in your cell as in paradise;
put the whole world behind you and forget it;
like a skilled angler on the lookout for a catch
keep a careful eye on your thoughts.**

** The path you follow is in the psalms – don’t leave it.
If you’ve come with a novice’s enthusiasm and can’t
accomplish what you want, take every chance you can find
to sing the psalms in your heart and to understand them
with your head; if your mind wanders as you read
don’t give up but hurry back and try again.**

** Above all realize that you are in God’s presence;
hold your heart there in wonder as if before your sovereign.**

** Empty yourself completely;
sit waiting, content with God’s gift,
like a little chick tasting and eating nothing
but what its mother brings. **
**

 

[Philothea53]

The best advice I’ve seen on this is St Romuald’s “Brief Rule”:

**** Sit in your cell as in paradise;
put the whole world behind you and forget it;
like a skilled angler on the lookout for a catch
keep a careful eye on your thoughts.****

** The path you follow is in the psalms – don’t leave it.
If you’ve come with a novice’s enthusiasm and can’t
accomplish what you want, take every chance you can find
to sing the psalms in your heart and to understand them
with your head; if your mind wanders as you read
don’t give up but hurry back and try again.**

** Above all realize that you are in God’s presence;
hold your heart there in wonder as if before your sovereign.**

** Empty yourself completely;
sit waiting, content with God’s gift,
like a little chick tasting and eating nothing
but what its mother brings. **

This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it!

 

[MSParrott]

Like the other posters, I get distracted at times when I say the Rosary. What helps me, is sitting somewhere quiet and I have to close my eyes - that being done, my mind still wanders. You have to find a “technique” that is best for you. As long as your heart and soul are in it, the little distractions aren’t that big of a deal (although they are annoying, for sure!)

 

[ElizabethPH]

The best advice I’ve seen on this is St Romuald’s “Brief Rule”:

**** Sit in your cell as in paradise;
put the whole world behind you and forget it;
like a skilled angler on the lookout for a catch
keep a careful eye on your thoughts.****

** The path you follow is in the psalms – don’t leave it.
If you’ve come with a novice’s enthusiasm and can’t
accomplish what you want, take every chance you can find
to sing the psalms in your heart and to understand them
with your head; if your mind wanders as you read
don’t give up but hurry back and try again.**

** Above all realize that you are in God’s presence;
hold your heart there in wonder as if before your sovereign.**

** Empty yourself completely;
sit waiting, content with God’s gift,
like a little chick tasting and eating nothing
but what its mother brings. **

I pray the Office and I’ve not heard this before it is wonderful. When I find my mind wandering I put my head down and take a deep breath in and slow breath out and ask God to empty my mind of all distraction. Saying a pray to this effect before starting the Rosary or any devotion is most helpful.

 

[MarieVeronica]

You might want to give this site a try. You can say your Rosary, while at the computer.

I liked it… because it gives you little meditations to say between each “Hail Mary”… and so, it has really helped me to keep my mind on the mystery I am praying. Hope it will be of help to you, as well. God bless.

pacifier.com/~rosarweb/howto.htm