How do you pray the Rosary?

[teadough]

This is sort of a spin off of another thread in some ways. The other thread was in regards to the 4th mystery added by JPII. That thread got me thinking and I would love to hear from others. If the thread dies soon then that will be OK. There will always be other threads to address the Rosary.

The point of this thread is to get feedback on personal experiences with praying the Rosary so as to maybe help others who are seeking further fulfillment with Christ by means of Rosary devotion. This thread may also be an opportunity for others who have not really given this form of meditation a chance or else gave up.

I will try and give my little background on my experiences with the Rosary later if this thread seems to get going.

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?
2. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?
   3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?
   4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?
   5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?
3. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?
   7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?
   8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?
   9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?
   10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.
4. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets

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[NeedImprovement]

To number 3 teadough:

Usually I try to have some intention for each mystery. When I’m lucky enough to be praying the Rosary with others, I go along with their format.

What I personally try to avoid is making a big point out of the intentions because St. Louis de Montfort says that each Hail Mary we pray is a beautiful rose we give to Mary…a rose which lasts forever. It is part of the origin of the name Rosary. (Imagine the beautiful roses your daughter gives the Blessed Mother). Furthermore the intention shouldn’t become a distraction overshadowing meditation of the mystery, but everyone is at a different stage here.

Two intentions I try to keep in mind are the holy souls in Purgatory and the most intimate intentions of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

 

[Zooey]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?
   In my favorite chair, and in bed at night–best way I know to fall asleep!!
2. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on? I find that I go through phases where I may pray the same mysteries over & over. For example, just before Lent, my pastor preached about Mary & Joseph trying to find Jesus, when He was 12, & most of Lent, I found I was praying the 5th Joyful Mystery over & over, thinking about what he said. Short version: After 1 day’s travel, they missed Him, & went to find Him=2 days; plus 3 days spent working to find Him…and then he asked us, "How long would it take you to realize you had lost Jesus? 5 weeks? 5months? 5 years? Your whole life?]
   3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary? I actually find that intentions are a good way to deal with my mind wandering. Instead of going off on a complete tangent, when I have trouble meditating, I think of the intentions that I am praying for. That gets me back to praying with full attention better than anything.
   4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary? No.
   5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary? Using a Scriptural rosary, or a series of pictures of each mystery helps. But the best thing I have found (and it was accidental) is that, if I have my head covered, I seem to home in easier & stay more centered on the rosary.
3. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary? No.
   7.What got you started into praying the Rosary? I saw a rosary I thought was pretty, when I was a teenager, & I bought it. So when you have one, you have to learn to pray it, right?
   I found it, not so long ago; it had been pretty cheap, & the metal parts were all blackened or turned greenish, & I realized that the beads were just plastic…I would never pick it up today. (A pink plastic rosary? And me in my all-black-clothes-24/7 phase? Yet, I did buy it:thumbsup: !!)
   8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary? I have found that it is the heart of my spiritual life. If I fail with that, dropping other things is easier.
   9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ? YES!!!
   10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics. I am a volunteer rosary maker for Rosary Army. (I also make rosaries for others who need or want one).
4. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets
   Hand-knotted all-twine rosary, from Rosary Army. I am sort of in the middle of a project to make myself a set of differently colored rosaries for each set of mysteries, & for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Except, I keep making the ones to give away, so my set is somewhat behind schedule…
   I have, however made myself what I think is a rather unique one as it has 10 decades. I had some scrap twine–enough for almost 2 rosaries, but not quite (royal blue/gold/royal blue).
   I figured that while 2 rosaries a day was possible, all 4 sets was pretty unlikely for me. Also, it is easier to handle than a 20 would be. It is the only one I have ever said all the mysteries on in one day…

 

[Linda_Marie]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?

I usually pray the Rosary at night, in bed, as part of my Night Prayers just before going to sleep. Sometimes I join the Rosary group that says it before Mass on Sunday.
2. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?
I try to keep to the Mysteries of the day and consult my little booklet. If I don’t have my booklet, I just pick one set that seems pertinent for the season or what is happening in my life.
3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?
Yes.
4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?
I am hoping for a better understanding of Scripture, of what is going on in each Mystery and, as a result, be closer to Christ.
5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?
I try to regulate my breathing and match the Hail Mary’s to my breath, then I can let go of the prayers and focus on the Mystery. I usually have a holy picture of the mystery as well to help. When I am distracted, I offer the situation that distracted me up to God for healing and go on with the mystery.
6. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?
yes, some of it I can’t talk about on this forum. When I first started praying the rosary, I would say it every evening, on my knees in my living room using the back of the sofa to support my arms/lean against if needed. Although the air conditioning was on, I would invariably start to perspire to the point that it was trickling down my back. When I stopped praying, I stopped perspiring. I thought that was somewhat peculiar.
7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?
I wanted to become Catholic and saying the rosary is part of the package. I know it is optional, but if I haven’t tried it, how will I know? It took a little while to get the hang of it.
8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?
For the last few years, a terrible spiritual dryness that makes it difficult for me to pray at all. Meditations have been barren, rote and it has seemed so much like just going through the motions.
9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?
without a doubt
10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.
At the moment, I buy rosary pamphlets and leave them on the table in the back of the church (with the priest’s permission) for people to take if they want.
11. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets
I have several that I alternate. They are stone, glass and wood.

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[teadough]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?
   My favorite spot is on the living room floor sitting upright and leaning against my couch. I always take one to bed with me and pray.Also,I try and keep my eyes shut.

I normally have one in my pocket and another one on my rearview mirror
2. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?
When I am all out of sort I pray the sorroful mysteries even though at times I have followed the set days that are described. After some consideration I think I am going to follow that a bit more than before for the fact that I am so undisciplined.
3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?
I did not for the first 6 months I started praying the Rosary because I had never heard of this. I do now but sometimes I feel like so many things or situations come to mind before I start that I just offer my thoughts for Mary to bring to God.
4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?
I should have worded that question a little different but I think eveyone has the right idea. Someone mentioned to me about the promises of the Rosary and I told them that I had never heard of them until recently and have yet to read them. One thing for me when I pray the Rosary is that I get out of myself for a bit. That was the main thing for me when I first tried the Rosary. I found out how I did not think of me and I was hooked.
5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?
If I wander off of the meditation I am on I try an put that train of thought into some sort of prayer towards that particular situation. I asked this question more so I could read others responses so as to help me
6. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?
No.
7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?
Last summer when I had made the decision to become Catholic I just tried it one night. I had heard what a great meditation tool the
Rosary was/is and decided that I need to find out for myself. As I mentioned before,I found out how I did not think of me and was sold. The first time it took me 45 minutes or so to do 5 decades. I could not even remember the Hail Marys much less the Glory Be. this was weeks before I heard of the Fatima prayer.I still have trouble with Hail Holy Queen

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?
After I have commited a particular sin I feel unworthy. That is when I should have the Rosary strapped around my head.Because of the Rosary this area of my life has got much better.Oh,and Confession is Key:thumbsup:
9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?
The Rosary is the most important aspect that brought me into full Communion with the Catholic Church this year. So,yes!!!

10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.

Once again. This is another question I was hoping others would answer so to help me spread the Love. I do make Rosaries now
Here is one I made for my little girl Autumn. she will be 3 in June
img175.imageshack.us/img175/8036/im0003982wu8.jpg

I mentioned to someone in another thread how she says…keep in mind this is toddler talk… “I need Wosary…I need my Wosary”

1. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets

I love semiprecious Rosaries the most,like the one from the above picture link. For some reason i just really like how that type of Rosary lays in my hand. i also like the way you can feel the heat on the stones and how they cool off really fast sometimes. I started out with the Traditional chain link and ended up finding the type I use now,however,I have a Chain link one with glass beads that is really special to me becaue it was a Confirmation gift and it has my wifes name,daughters name,and it says “baby” till our soon to be born baby comes this summer.

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[Eilish_Maura]

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?

Total lack of desire to do so, disinterest when in a position where I must do so.

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

• No.*

 

[nerddad]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?

i usually kneel on the floor in my bedroom

1. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?

i probably meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries more than any…
i try to pray the rosary after dinner each evening

3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?

i try to pray for the soul of someone, or a lot of times just for the intentions of the Pope.

4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?

No

5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?

eyes closed, and if i get distracted i open them and focus on a crucifix.

1. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?

No

7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?

i think everyone was given one as a child making their First Communion, but i never learned to pray it then…
i prayed it at funerals mostly, or when someone was ill…
recently i joined the K of C and began praying the rosary more often.

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?

disgusting laziness

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

YES!!

10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.

Hmmmm, maybe volunteer to lead rosary before Mass?
Our parish has quit the practice except on special occasions.

1. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets

i have a plastic one i carry daily, a wooden one at home, and one of those rings in the truck that i use when travelling.

 

[Belle10]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?

I usually pray the Rosary in my car (I have a long commute). It’s not ideal, but I figure it’s better than not praying it at all! I tend to slack off on the weekends but I’m working on it…

1. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?

I follow the schedule provided by the Church:
The Joyful Mysteries: Mondays and Saturdays, may be said on Sundays during Advent and Christmas

The Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesdays and Fridays, may be said on Sundays during Lent

The Glorious Mysteries: Wednesdays and Sundays

The Luminous Mysteries: Thursdays

3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?

I always ask that my Rosary be for the benefit of my family and friends, for all those I’ve promised to pray for.

4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?

Not expecting, but hoping that it will bring me closer to God (which it has) and I can receive the graces of strength and peace that I need to deal with difficult situations in my life.

5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?

I try to picture what happened in each mystery. I also try to relate the virtue of each to my life, to see where I need to put more effort into being Christ-like (which is everywhere of course!). This also helps remind me that Jesus experienced the same emotions that I do and reminds me that if I look to how He handled things, He’ll help me handle them too.

1. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?

It has brought me moments of peace and definitely brought me closer to Jesus and Mary.

7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?

I’m a cradle Catholic, but never really prayed the Rosary on a regular basis until fairly recently. I read some things and listened to some talks on it (from www.CatholicCity.com) and was just drawn to pray it.

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?

My own laziness and lack of time.

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

Yes, especially during Lent when meditating on the sorrowful mysteries.

10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.

Just tell them about it, explain it. Many people don’t realize it’s about meditating on the events of Christ’s life - they think it’s all about Mary. It is about Mary too of course, but she is constantly pointing us toward Jesus. When people ask for my prayers, I tell them I will include them in my Rosary – I hope that’ll spark an interest in people.

1. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets

I keep my crystal beads Rosary on my bedside table (it was a gift from my grandparents for my First Communion). I keep my mother of pearl Rosary in my purse (it belonged to my other grandmother, who died when my Dad was a kid). In the car I use a CD from www.CatholicCity.com (free) so that I’m “hands-free.”

 

[Byzcat]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?

Lying on my bed or couch, occasionally I pray mentally while going for a walk.

1. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?

Not really, I usually pray early in the afternoon. I pray and meditate on all the mysteries.

3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?

I have a “standing intention” for the reunifaction of the Church.

4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?

not really, no.

5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?

I pray the Scriptural Rosary.

1. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?

nope.

7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?

Originally, coming home to the Church. Then didn’t pray it regularly for years, until I had what I guess you would call a spiritual awakening, when I was doubing God’s love for me and started praying it again asking Mama to show me God’s love.

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?

Depression- sometimes I get in a mental state where I am unable to pray at all. This is why audio rosaries were invented, BTW.

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

I don’t feel that it has, but then we’re not supposed to rely on “feelings”.

10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.

I give away rosaries that I’ve made, especially to children.

1. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets

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Mostly, I use a glass bead one that I made myself.

 

[hawkeye]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?

In my bedroom, sometimes in the living-room if it’s free, and some Tuesdays in Church.

1. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?

I say it on the designated days, just five decades though.

3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?

Sometimes, and for family members, children and grandchildren, and my departed parents and other souls, and the souls in Purgatory.

4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?

No I never expect anything, I never cared for the Rosary, even though I was enrolled in the Confraternity 30 years ago.
I always stuck to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, but then decided to start praying the Rosary to please our Heavenly Mother who requested that we say it and bury my selfishness.
Three years ago while saying it in my living-room I could smell roses, haven’t since.

5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?

Don’t have any, my mind wanders to and fro during the Rosary.

1. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?

As above.

7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?

Saint Louis De Mont-fort, reading The Rosary and the crisis of faith, and the recommendations of a list of Popes, but mostly it was to please Mary and bury my selfishness, now I like saying the Rosary.

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?

Probably satan, and my own laziness, which could be from him as-well.

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

The Sorrowful one touch me the most.

10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.

Probably get them to read The Rosary and the Crisis of Faith.

1. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets

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Plastic.

 

[Tim_c]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?
   Usually on my bed.
2. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?
   I just follow the schedule found in most prayer books. I usually don’t pray the Luminous mysteries unless I’m with a group (I haven’t bothered to learn them yet ).

3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?
Yes, I always pray that our Lady will help bring my parents and Grandmother back to the sacraments.

4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?
Just a good feeling.

5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?
I just try hard to meditate on the mystery and if my mind wanders I bring it back.

1. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?
   No.

7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?
When I was 10 or 11 I was playing with a glow in the dark rosary I had received at my First Communion. My mom walked in and asked “Oh, are you praying the Rosary?” Praying the rosary??? I had no idea you could “pray the rosary.” I asked her what that meant and she told me that each bead had a prayer but she couldn’t remember which payers went where. I eventually asked an aunt of mine who taught me how to pray it and gave me a booklet that I still have.

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?
Laziness and the fact that I put it off till the end of the day.

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?
For sure.

10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.
Hmm… I guess tell people how the Rosary can change bring them closer to God.

1. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets
   I use a red stone rosary that I got at my confirmation.

 

[teadough]

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?

Total lack of desire to do so, disinterest when in a position where I must do so.

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

• No.*

I have many days where I don’t feel like praying the Rosary. It is like exercise in some ways. It takes practice and sometimes you don’t see the results that are happening. Like I said in my other post,I really got into the Rosary because I realized that I went through a time of prayer without thinking about me. that means my needs,too. That alone is such a freeing experience for a self centered person like me.

 

[teadough]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?

I forgot to mention one. I pray the Rosary when I go jogging. I use my fingers. This really helps me forget about my legs burning and,once again,it takes my mind off of me.

Gracious.I could talk about the Rosary all day. Thanks so much for everyones responses thus far. I have already made a mental notes of peoples contributions that will help me in my devotion. thanks again

 

[NeedImprovement]

It’s a great thread you started teadough…and very timely too.

I just finished walking in the pouring rain and managed to get 2 sets of mysteries done. It was beside a highway so there were distractions, but I know Our Lord and his gentle Mother understand.

God bless you and all who’ve posted…still lots of room left to post.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I have many days where I don’t feel like praying the Rosary. It is like exercise in some ways. It takes practice and sometimes you don’t see the results that are happening. Like I said in my other post,I really got into the Rosary because I realized that I went through a time of prayer without thinking about me. that means my needs,too. That alone is such a freeing experience for a self centered person like me.

My freeing experience came when I finally let go of any sense of ‘duty’ to pray it because it was so identified with being Catholic.

Took lots of prayer, bringing the issue to my confessor(s) and my spiritual director.

It took a lot of time before I really believed that one can only pray as they can and not as they can’t.

 

[teadough]

My freeing experience came when I finally let go of any sense of ‘duty’ to pray it because it was so identified with being Catholic.

Took lots of prayer, bringing the issue to my confessor(s) and my spiritual director.

It took a lot of time before I really believed that one can only pray as they can and not as they can’t.

I’m going to be honest. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. “Duty”? “Pray as they can and not as they Can’t”?

The title and subject of the thread is “How do you Pray the Rosary?”

`

 

[Linda_Marie]

I think Eilish is trying to say that he/she can’t pray the rosary, that he/she gets nothing from the practice and finds other forms of prayer more productive, or suited to him/her. This is what is meant by saying pray as you can, not as you can’t. Some people can just never get the hang of it. My husband will not touch a rosary, and my very good friend who died last Christmas Eve, could not pray a rosary either. He found it annoying and frustrating, and absolutely could not say the Hail Mary’s and think of something else at the same time. For him, it was a waste of time. He found reading Scripture and praying his own prayers more meaningful.

From reading other posts by Eilish, I gather that he/she is young and is coming from having been taught to pray the rosary in Religious Education, has understood that it was a duty as a Catholic to pray it and has recently found out that it is not, that there are other acceptable forms of prayer for a Catholic. After trying and trying to get it to work for him/her without success, and with newfound prayer freedom, he/she seems a little antagonistic towards the rosary, possibly because it was an empty practice for him/her for so long and he/she was not able to grow in his/her prayer life. I think there is a little resentment of the time he/she feels was wasted on it.

imo, no time spent in prayer is wasted, even if we think we aren’t connecting. It is not dependent on us or on our feelings. We have turned our hearts towards God, He will take it from there.

 

[teadough]

When I say that the Rosary brings me closer to Christ,I mean that in so many ways. Before I really understood what the Eucharist was and how improtant and central it is to the Catholic faith I had already started praying the Rosary. That is just one of many reasons as to how/why it brings me closer to Jesus.

I must admit. It was quite intimidating at first. I mean,look at all those beads. I thought “how in the world does someone do this?”. I,too,had a hard time saying Hail Marys while trying to think of a particular mystery. At first I didn’t even know that is what you did. I thought you just announced the mystery and said some Hail Marys. Even when I was at that early stage I still thought it was the greatest tool in the world for me.

 

[NeedImprovement]

This is something I’d heard from a Deacon friend of mine, he says he read it:

St. Padre Pio used to call his Rosary his weapon. It makes sense, since according to his (hate to use the word “purported” here) mystical experiences he would see all sorts of things in the spiritual realm that aren’t visible to most of us.

 

[Catholic_Kenpo]

1. How and where do you normally pray the Rosary?

I try to pray the rosary twice each day. Once while taking a walk at lunch, the second at home just before bed.

1. Do you follow a set schedule or do you have a particular mystery that you tend to meditate on?

I follow the schedule set out by the Church.

3.Do you always offer intentions for praying the Rosary?

Not really. I have on rare occasion, but that’s the exception, not the rule.

4.Are you expecting anything while or after you the Rosary?

Not particularly. I just try to leave myself open to any inspiration that God may be trying to give me.

5.What are ways that help you stay focused while praying the the Rosary?

This is probably the hardest part for me. I generally just try to get a mental image of each mystery and focus on that.

1. Have you personally had any unique experiences while praying the Rosary?

The only experiences that I think would qualify as “unique” are a couple of occasions where I was reminded of sins I needed to confess.

7.What got you started into praying the Rosary?

The short version - EWTN. I generally would have it playing on my laptop next to me while I was playing City of Heroes. Every night at 9:30, Mother Angelica and the sisters pray the rosary. I just started following along with them and now it’s a habit.

8.What is the biggest factor that keeps you from praying the Rosary?

Now that it’s a habit, the only thing that keeps me from praying it is if my daily routine is interrupted - i.e. I’m on vacation or something. Other than that, it would just be laziness on my part.

9.Has the Rosary brought you closer to Jesus Christ?

Without a doubt.

10.How can you help spread the love of Rosary devotion to other Catholics.

The only thing I currently do to spread the devotion is to overtly carry the rosary with me while I walk around the track at work.

1. last question. What type of Rosary do you use? Wood beads,glass,stones,plastic…ets

I have two that I use. The first is the one I got when I joined the Knights. The second is the one that my best friend made for me in appreciation for being best man in his wedding. The KofC rosary is my “outdoor” rosary, and the nice stone one my friend made is the one I use at home at night.