How do you grow to like saying the Rosary and have it be less like a chore?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sidetrack
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sidetrack

Guest
Having to commit to a daily Rosary is an undertaking which takes commitment.That commitment can be comprisimed from the beginning imo,if you don’t have a proper attitude to pray for it and even if you do pray for that attitude,if everyday you say it,it remains like a laborious chore,it’s a cycle that can seem better to drop. Is there something about a heavily “pre-set” prayer like the Rosary that has to be considered when it’s being done?.
 
Well, one approach is simply to build up to it gradually and let Our Lady and God’s Grace do the work.

If a rosary seems like too much, then just start by saying 3 Hail Mary’s from the heart at some time during the day. How hard is that? It is how I began.

Then if you want, say a whole decade. It doesn’t take long. Three minutes or something.

If you feel able, go at some point to more than one decade, and before you know it your praying whole rosaries.

I think we have to pray for enough Grace to get the ball rolling at least and muster a little effort from time to time.

It will be time well spent!!! 🙂
 
As a recently converted Lutheran, I can tell you that I NEVER spent more than a minute or so praying to God. I certainly never spent any time reflecting on the major events in His life (it was all about me, you know). The rosary is like spending 20 minutes straight with God. That is amazing. I always feel better afterwards, too. You know all those trendy folks that love to talk about meditation? All the studies that say meditation is good for you? Yeah, well think about how much better it is when you are actually meditating AND spending time with your Creator. Appreciate this gift because there is nothing else like it.

I hope that helps. 🙂
 
The Rosary never worked for me. Instead, what did take (with considerable perseverance I might add) was the Liturgy of the Hours.

I’m sure the Rosary is beneficial to many. But it doesn’t work for everyone and one shouldn’t feel guilty if one uses a different manner of praying. The important thing is to make prayer a daily occurrence in your life.
 
I combine praying the Rosary with something that I love doing, which for me is taking a walk in a park. There is a park up the road from me, and when my knees allow me to do it (which, sadly, has been less and less), I do two laps (about a half mile total), and spend that time praying the Rosary.

I also love to take road trips and I’ll pray the Rosary during the drive, but I have to be careful–it can put me to sleep, so I prefer to pray the Rosary along with a tape or Catholic radio broadcast.
 
I’m not quite there yet, but for me it became a peaceful part of my day… I began to associate it with a period of calmness that I didn’t really have any other time of the day. I guess my answer is that it sort of evolved naturally as I said the prayer more often… sadly I’ve fallen out of the habit with a shift in my schedule… I need to get back into it.
 
lutheran_farmer said:
As a recently converted Lutheran, I can tell you that I NEVER spent more than a minute or so praying to God. I certainly never spent any time reflecting on the major events in His life (it was all about me, you know). The rosary is like spending 20 minutes straight with God. That is amazing. I always feel better afterwards, too. You know all those trendy folks that love to talk about meditation? All the studies that say meditation is good for you? Yeah, well think about how much better it is when you are actually meditating AND spending time with your Creator. Appreciate this gift because there is nothing else like it.

I hope that helps. 🙂
Click to expand...
That was beautiful. It gave me chills. Makes me want to begin my rosary right now!!!
🙂
 
OraLabora said:
The Rosary never worked for me. Instead, what did take (with considerable perseverance I might add) was the Liturgy of the Hours.

I’m sure the Rosary is beneficial to many. But it doesn’t work for everyone and one shouldn’t feel guilty if one uses a different manner of praying. The important thing is to make prayer a daily occurrence in your life.
Click to expand...
:)🙂
 
I used to want to pray the rosary…Unfortunately, at that time it wasn’t what was needed (when I was still a beginner in the faith)…so I started to come closer to God through Gospel meditation and contemplation though I did pray the rosary at times (but it pained me a lot, since I felt so empty with vocal prayers at that time)…I mean as a beginner I wanted more intimacy not memorized/rote prayers.

Now, I’m growing much more in faith and the Lord is slowly leading me to the beauty of the rosary and other forms of prayer. I went into a terrible depression and it just so happened that Gospel contemplation/meditation aggravated my depression so I have to stop these types of prayer (and this was so hard to accept and detach from since I love reflecting so much)

What really saved my soul are the rosary, the divine mercy chaplet and the sacred heart of Jesus Novena. I started to pray them not just vocally but integrating meditation/contemplation (imagining the presence of Mary and Jesus before me as I say the Hail Mary/Our Father). Because of my desperation, I sought so much the company of Mary, Jesus and the saints. Thus it was easier for me to pray the Rosary so it’s not really something I tried so hard or forced myself to because the circumstance readily pushed me to it (unlike before, it felt like a heavy burden praying it). It’s quite unbelievable that no matter how busy I am, I could pray the rosary everyday. This is grace.

It’s the Holy Spirit who will guide you how to pray. So ask for the grace. Ask Him to help you to pray.
 
I almost always say my daily Rosary while I’m going on a walk or taking a trip in the car. To be honest, I almost never actually concentrate on the sacred mysteries, or I do it only in short bursts in between the several dozen different avenues my mind is racing down while I’m saying the prayers. I just say it anyway, no matter how bad I am at it. If you have a highly active mind & imagination, and/or are going through a time of distress, I would strongly recommend incorporating those 15-20 minutes into your day. Our Lady requested us to say the Rosary once a day and I don’t think she would give poor advice. I don’t know if I have ever not felt calmer and more focused after completing it.

Saying the Rosary for adults is like being a kid and eating your green beans. I would go as far as to say that those who feel disinclined to say the Rosary receive greater spiritual edification through it than those who do feel inclined to say it. If it doesn’t work for you, I would say that it is all the more reason for you to pursue it. Its monotone and simple structure is something that makes the particular prayer more helpful in today’s world than what it was 100 or 800 years ago. The Rosary in these times is like a person traveling downhill on a highway covered in dish detergent in an 8-cylinder engine and suddenly you encounter 50 speed bumps.
 
Thank you, Petra. 🙂

I never tried going for walk during the rosary. What great idea!
 
I find it odd that people will insist that prayer require practice and perseverance but are quick to dismiss the rosary or drop it after a few weeks or months because it doesn’t “work for me.” It is almost as if perseverance in prayer applies to every form of prayer except the rosary.

I don’t even understand what “work for me” means. Sometimes Mass doesn’t “work for me” but I go anyway, because I know it is right and just that I worship and I know that it is good for me even if I feel absolutely nothing, or even if I feel like it is a chore.

Cutting my grass doesn’t work for me, but I do it, and after a season or two of diligent cutting on a proper schedule, the lawn looks fantastic. That’s what the rosary is like. I don’t know why people are so quick to advise others to drop it as soon as they don’t get any percieved benefit out of it.

-Tim-
 
Try keeping in mind that when you pray the Rosary you are praying the entire life of Jesus. Use this time as a way to reflect on His life and sacrifice, not as a chore of prayer to get out of the way.

Stop trying to feel something when praying. Just pray and let that prayer flow from your heart. God will respond accordingly.
 
TimothyH said:
I find it odd that people will insist that prayer require practice and perseverance but are quick to dismiss the rosary or drop it after a few weeks or months because it doesn’t “work for me.” It is almost as if perseverance in prayer applies to every form of prayer except the rosary.

I don’t even understand what “work for me” means. Sometimes Mass doesn’t “work for me” but I go anyway, because I know it is right and just that I worship and I know that it is good for me even if I feel absolutely nothing, or even if I feel like it is a chore.

Cutting my grass doesn’t work for me, but I do it, and after a season or two of diligent cutting on a proper schedule, the lawn looks fantastic. That’s what the rosary is like. I don’t know why people are so quick to advise others to drop it as soon as they don’t get any percieved benefit out of it.

-Tim-
Click to expand...
I can see your point.

The Rosary isn’t required, and Mass is. So it’s OK to try different prayers and types of praying.

I think that if what you are doing is causing you to become embittered, resentful, or discouraged, it’s probably a good idea to do some re-thinking, and perhaps try something different.

For Mass, this might mean trying a different Mass in your parish, or even trying the closest TLM if there’s one available.

Catholics are privileged to have thousands of prayers available to them, and they are also encouraged to pray extemporaneously, or through songs. So changing out the Rosary for other prayers isn’t difficult at all.

I will say, though, that we have to be careful to avoid what I call “Bandwagon Christianity.” I saw this all the time when I was Evangelical Protestant. Christians would jump onto the latest “bandwagon” and ride it until they got bored or discouraged, then another “bandwagon” would come along, and they would leap onto the new bandwagon, and the pattern would repeat itself.

There is great value in disciplining yourself to stay on the same “wagon” and have faith, even if nothing seems to be happening. All too often, Christians depend on their emotions.

But again, if a practice is causing bitterness, etc., I see nothing wrong with Christians dropping that practice, at least for a while, and substituting another practice that is approved by the Church.
 
I think the more you pray it, the easier it becomes part of your life. Perhaps praying the rosary for the intentions of people you love may help you.
 
I can definately see how someone who does not know the prayers such as a convert or something would have a difficult time with it at first. Trying to remember the prayers and just learn sort of the structure can be a distraction. Even for a long time after that it can be difficult. I think part of it is just becoming so used to the vocal prayers themselves that they flow at a steady smooth pace is important. It can take time but once the prayers become as natural as breathing it becomes easier. Then it can be wonderful like the mind free to float through the mysteries in contemplation while firmly anchored by a teather to the base of prayer. In the end it is just something that may take time and perseverance. You will still have ups and downs, but how many things in life do you quit simply because it is not amazing every single time without fail right from the beginning?
 
Its a valid point though, add life on earth into the equation, persevere at any given moment is required. So we practice to obtain. Its a time-eternity, and then a state of mind dilemma, and influenced by evil, the grace is a reality and interconnected by all who recite the Rosary with intent and through the devotion practiced correctly through the Church. The signal grace people experience being touched by the HS, this has a responsibility in that its ordered to the Church and in the order of grace through the Sacraments-Eucharist. The institution of the sacraments is God’s way of salvation given to us. It deals with the holy signs which Christ instituted as the vehicles of his grace.The Rosary and prayer recitation has a sacramental effect through signal grace and its acknowledged by the Church in respect to the Rosary that the grace you will recognize is ordered to Christ and His Church. Through penance, the faithful receive pardon through God’s mercy for the sins they have committed. At the same time, they are reconciled with the Church community. The confession, or disclosure, of sins frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. The Baptized remember their responsibility to Grace-Faith, by submission and atonement, this is acknowledged with the signal grace of the Rosary which as mentioned is contact with grace itself.

Powerful aid which in its first order calls you correctly into the Church and its Sacraments. The evil distorts the truth and first has you believe the Rosary will suffice, then the ability to persevere through the Rosary is indeed compromised, however, it will bring you to Christ if you persevere because the ability to remember and recognize by signal grace orders you into a State of Grace in His Church.

The question really becomes how do you grow in Gods grace? The Rosary puts you in direct contact with what is written in your heart and the grace freely given already through the Church Christ established. So the word of God, your prayer life, and the most importantly the sacraments of the Church intertwined is how you grow in grace.
 
TimothyH said:
I find it odd that people will insist that prayer require practice and perseverance but are quick to dismiss the rosary or drop it after a few weeks or months because it doesn’t “work for me.” It is almost as if perseverance in prayer applies to every form of prayer except the rosary.

I don’t even understand what “work for me” means. Sometimes Mass doesn’t “work for me” but I go anyway, because I know it is right and just that I worship and I know that it is good for me even if I feel absolutely nothing, or even if I feel like it is a chore.

Cutting my grass doesn’t work for me, but I do it, and after a season or two of diligent cutting on a proper schedule, the lawn looks fantastic. That’s what the rosary is like. I don’t know why people are so quick to advise others to drop it as soon as they don’t get any percieved benefit out of it.

-Tim-
Click to expand...
I guess I’m one of those “it doesn’t work for me”. I’ve tried it, I’ve tried persevering with it, but I guess I just don’t “get it”. It doesn’t click for some reason. This after years of trying. I get the point of it, from an intellectual level, but it’s not heartfelt. It’s just me.

I get much more from the LOTH (and the Angelus after Vigils, Sext and Compline; the Angelus is sort of a mini-Rosary in that the story of the Incarnation and Passion is rolled into one short prayer; saying the Angelus is a new development for me).

At the end of the day I guess I only have so much time for prayer. I do the full LOTH every day (Vigils, Lauds, Terce, mid-day, Vespers and Compline). No, it doesn’t always “work” for me. But there are days when it doesn’t appear it will work, but during the prayer, something clicks, and I’m picked up out of my acedia. I’ve just never had that happen with the Rosary in years of trying. I’ve given up trying to figure out why. For me a day without the psalms is a lifeless day…

I’m also trying to find more time for lectio divina, especially after hearing a talk by Michael Casey OCSO on the subject at the World Oblate Congress last year.

My point is thought, that nobody should feel guilty if the Rosary doesn’t click for them either, but I do think it’s important to persevere in some form of daily prayer. For me it’s the LOTH (these days, monastic, other times, the 4-week psalter).
 
I wonder how the rosary “doesn’t work”? 😊
I’m hoping that was just an odd choice of words…
The rosary can be tedious, especially if you go into it with dread. Yup. Tedium,
“I don’t wanna” ! We do sounds like kids sometimes, eh?

But when we understand that we are approaching the Lord through His Blessed Mother…
I don’t see how we can miss out or not get it.

It’s not a bunch of repetitive prayers. Unless we make it about that.

As others have suggested, start small. Work up.
It’s kind of like doing anything else that is really good for you. You start up, and over time, you master it.
Not everyone can stay in Adoration for an entire hour the first time. Many devotions are a process. We grow over time.

I would encourage you not to give up, The benefits of the rosary are abundant. It’s pleasing to Our Lady and brings us ever so close to her Son. It’s His life, joined in a beautiful prayer, with ours.
Peace.
 
pianistclare said:
I wonder how the rosary “doesn’t work”? 😊
I’m hoping that was just an odd choice of words…
The rosary can be tedious, especially if you go into it with dread. Yup. Tedium,
“I don’t wanna” ! We do sounds like kids sometimes, eh?

But when we understand that we are approaching the Lord through His Blessed Mother…
I don’t see how we can miss out or not get it.

It’s not a bunch of repetitive prayers. Unless we make it about that.

As others have suggested, start small. Work up.
It’s kind of like doing anything else that is really good for you. You start up, and over time, you master it.
Not everyone can stay in Adoration for an entire hour the first time. Many devotions are a process. We grow over time.

I would encourage you not to give up, The benefits of the rosary are abundant. It’s pleasing to Our Lady and brings us ever so close to her Son. It’s His life, joined in a beautiful prayer, with ours.
Peace.
Click to expand...
I guess we’re all different. I just don’t feel I approach God in any particular way through the Rosary. I don’t feel my spiritual life evolve with it.

I have to point out though… I had a very troubled relationship with my own mother, and that makes Marian devotions very difficult for me. I’ve known others with this. Fortunately my SD always said the Rosary was not necessary. But daily prayer is.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top