How to pray the Rosary?

[Lincat]

I know the prayers for the Rosary but what I don’t understand is the different mysteries. Can I have intentions for each decade I pray? (Ex. Conversion, health, an exam, etc.) When I pray the Rosary do I need to reflect upon the mysteries for the day or is that an option?

 

[Catholic1954]

You may have different intentions for each decade; the mysteries for the day are just a guideline, you can choose any set you like, but you do need to meditate on them.

 

[marlap2]

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through the meditations.
Over the years of praying the rosary, there have been many different things that our Lord has shown me.
For instance, one time, while praying the sorrowful mysteries, it came into my mind on the fourth mystery (The carrying of the cross) to ask the Lord to help me NOT to be a CROSS for someone else, by my temperment or unforgiveness, or anger. It came to my mind quickly, but I never forgot that. I prayed for the people that I might have been a challenge to at that time in my life.

Don’t worry, just pray. (Or as Padre Pio said it… pray and don’t worry)…

 

[svid2]

Pax Christi!

Yes, you can vary your intentions; you can assign different intentions to different mysteries. I do it.

Look for books, CDs, podcasts or broadcasts of meditations on the mysteries. There are LOTS of apps out there.

God bless!

 

[MW1T68]

You may have different intentions for each decade; the mysteries for the day are just a guideline, you can choose any set you like, but you do need to meditate on them.

Can you please explain what it means to meditate on the mysteries? I’ve just never been able to grasp the concept of meditation. Thanks in advance.

Mat

 

[Drew518]

Can you please explain what it means to meditate on the mysteries? I’ve just never been able to grasp the concept of meditation. Thanks in advance.

Mat

I can’t speak for the poster you quoted. But I had a similar problem when I started praying the rosary. Meditation on the mysteries really means reflecting on the mysteries and what they mean. For example, when I’m saying the 10 Hail Mary’s, verbally I’m just reciting the prayer without much thought. My mind really is focused on the mysteries. I think Mary would prefer it that way. I spend 5 Hail Mary’s thinking reflecting on the mystery, and spend the other 5 reflecting on what the mystery teaches me.

The more you reflect on the mysteries of the rosary, the more you learn. The more you learn, the more you can apply to your life. That’s the true beauty of the rosary IMO. Its more then just prayers to honor Mary. Its one of the many teaching tools to help us fallen humans turn away from sin and better ourselves. Use it.