Is it okay to not say the Rosary daily?

[JRKH]

A Catholic,
Let’s try to move together in our thoughts rather than apart. We are discussing a matter that we are both in substantial agreement on.
The Rosary is a Powerful devotion widely and firmly endorsed by the Church. We agree on this correct??

Now as to particulars, the OP did not indicate never saying the rosary, they asked about “daily” - it’s right there in the title. Further the OP indicated that that they were aware of the promises and that he/she did not intend to stop saying it all together. The OP was simply asking about frequency.

I believe part of the reason for the tenor of the responses was that the OP, by asking this question, seemed to be indicating a belief that the rosary was somehow “required”. The initial responses were intended to allay any fears or misunderstanding in that regard.
You have likewise affirmed this fact in your posts. The rosary is not required by Church teaching under pain of sin. Again - we agree on this - correct?

I understand your comment about attending mass “grudgingly”, but must in honesty say that, no I never attend mass grudgingly. In fact, due to my wife’s health, I cannot get to mass regularly so I am thrilled whenever we (or I) can get there.
The matter of not feeling like praying every day…Frankly I don’t know if I could go a day without praying…They may not be formal prayers…they may simply be a sign of the cross, a few quick ejaculatory prayers…a quick “Lay me down to sleep” at the end of the day, but there will certainly be some sort of prayer.

And this, if I might say, seems to be where the misunderstanding might be coming in.

Not feeling like praying the rosary is not the same as not feeling like praying. One can pray continually all day and never pray the rosary. The rosary is a beautiful, wonderful, powerful devotion and it is even more beautiful, wonderful and powerful if prayed once a week carefully and devoutly instead of daily in a halfhearted and rushed fashion.

Remember - this is not about praying the rosary or nothing. We need to pray every day and throughout the day. Rather this is simply about choosing which prayers to say daily and throughout the day.

Peace
James

 

[A_Catholic]

The Rosary is a Powerful devotion widely and firmly endorsed by the Church. We agree on this correct??

 

[TrueLight]

Can one be a good Catholic and not pray the Rosary? I suppose with the great mercy of Jesus Christ it is possible, but what a long, hard way to go.

The way of the cross is a race for everyone with a prize at the end - that of eternal life.

It may be hard for you to be a devout Catholic without praying the Rosary regularly. That doesn’t mean someone cannot also finish the race by spending a lot of time in mental prayer that does not include daily Rosary. To say otherwise is pure speculation.

Also, I believe JKRH is right in saying that we are not obligated to believe in private revelation. It may be useful or efficacious but they are not adding to the deposit of faith.

I love St Teresa of Avila and St Maria Faustina. I personally believe all that was revealed to them to be revealed by Jesus Christ. I may quote from their writings to illustrate a spiritual truth, but I won’t say, Jesus said this and that to St Teresa and how could you not believe Jesus?

 

[A_Catholic]

The way of the cross is a race for everyone with a prize at the end - that of eternal life.

It may be hard for you to be a devout Catholic without praying the Rosary regularly. That doesn’t mean someone cannot also finish the race by spending a lot of time in mental prayer that does not include daily Rosary. To say otherwise is pure speculation.

Anything I would post to this would be combative. I merely direct you to my previous posts.

God bless you.

 

[TrueLight]

Anything I would post to this would be combative. I merely direct you to my previous posts.

God bless you.

Yes, we do tend to butt heads. I edited my post and added a little more.

 

[A_Catholic]

I will say that I am glad to have had a chance to point out the beauties of this wonderful devotion given to us by the Mother of God, and even though there are many here who will disagree with me, I think anyone who does not practice this devotion is letting a very powerful spritual tool slip through their fingers (no pun intended).

“Would you like me to tell you a ‘secret’? It is simple, and after all, is no secret: ‘Pray, pray much. Say the Rosary everyday.’” -Pope John Paul II

 

[JRKH]

Yes. It is endorsed and promoted by great saints and popes. And most especially promoted by Our Blessed Mother, with whom it originated.

If the OP or anyone else stops saying the Rosary daily, they will eventually find an excuse never to say it. That is only human nature. If you don’t say the Rosary daily, why would you ever say it?

And since it is not required that one say the rosary - why would this be a problem.
Suppose that a person never said the rosary, but DID say daily, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Liturgy of the hours, as well as other prayers. Would you consider them to be less than a devout Catholic simply because the Rosary of our Lady simply isn’t their “cup of tea”?
I ask you to look again at the OP and note that the person is considering other devotions that they would like to include in their daily prayer life. I hardly think that this person is going to stop praying altogether…and this is where my focus is - on prayer, not on a specific prayer (except the Lords Prayer) but simply on prayer…

It is also not required to go to confession or communion more than once a year. Does that mean that we should go by this as well?

Certainly we should go by this…But this is a minimum and we may receive these sacraments much more often. Likewise, even though a particular devotion is NOT required, we may partake of IT as often as we like as well.

Yes, I do agree that not saying the Rosary is not a sin. But again, why not defend it? I saw a few posts here say, yea, it’s a good thing, but gave no real reason why it was good. That was why I posted initially.

Defending the rosary is a good thing, if it is attacked. I have not seen anyone here attack it.

I did not say I attend Mass “grudgingly.” You are getting that mixed up with my other posts. I said that sometimes when I attend Mass my mind is far away. I am very sorry about your wife and I know that must be an extreme hardship. I try to attend Mass daily. But I do not attend with perfect devotion, nor to be honest, do I do anything with perfect devotion, including praying the Rosary. You don’t seem to have a problem with your attitude, and I envy you for that. I must admit that I fight myself constantly.

Thank you for your kind words re: my wife. I apologize if I mixed things up. I wish I could attend daily mass again…we use to…

I am actually not answering your posts to answer you or even convince you of anything, which it would seem I am unlikely to do in any event. I am posting for anyone else who may be reading this and wondering about the Rosary.

Me too

Peace
James

 

[Laudate_Dominum]

It may be hard for you to be a devout Catholic without praying the Rosary regularly. That doesn’t mean someone cannot also finish the race by spending a lot of time in mental prayer that does not include daily Rosary.

He didn’t say it’s impossible. Just a whole lot harder.

We have a choice between two routes to Heaven.

One is paved in gold, with a cool sun, neither too hot nor too cold, with regular rest stations on the way. You don’t even have to walk. You just need to sit back and let Our Lady lead you.

The other is shrouded in darkness and laced with cracks and brambles and had a highwayman ready to steal everything from you hiding in every nook and cranny. By God’s great mercy yes you can fumble your way, blind and alone, on this path.

On the other you can enjoy the comfort of His Mother, the same Mother whom He gave to us as our Advocate and Mediatrix from the very Altar of the Cross its self.

We’re all called to take up our crosses. And with the aid of her such crosses will be as the sweetest wine. Otherwise one will taste only bile.

 

[JRKH]

A Catholic.

I’m going to add just one more little post here…

Sometimes we can seem like we are farther apart than we are in actuality.

Sometimes a person who has a very strong devotion can promote it in such a way that it almost sounds like a dogmatic pronouncement…and can lead to misunderstandings among the faithful. I’m not saying that you have done this, “A Catholic”, I’m just speaking in general terms.

Likewise if another person has a different devotion or is drawn to a different form of spirituality, they can come off as too dismissive. ( I admit that I am guilty of that sometimes).

When these two views come in contact, it can become a bit testy.

I probably should not have even replied to your very fine initial post. I had already offered my advice to the OP and you were offering yours. Frankly - I should have kept my fat fingers off the keyboard…
So allow me to apologize for any discomfort I might have caused you.

Please know that I love our Lady and I also appreciate the rosary, though I admit I rarely pray it all the way through. My prayer life simply tends to run in a different direction.

peace
James

 

[TrueLight]

I will say that I am glad to have had a chance to point out the beauties of this wonderful devotion given to us by the Mother of God, and even though there are many here who will disagree with me, I think anyone who does not practice this devotion is letting a very powerful spritual tool slip through their fingers (no pun intended).

“Would you like me to tell you a ‘secret’? It is simple, and after all, is no secret: ‘Pray, pray much. Say the Rosary everyday.’” -Pope John Paul II

Well, I’m trying. I do pray it daily and even though I like praying it better in Latin, I still find it incredibly hard to say 5 decades. Someone told me one day it will just kick in, even if it takes years.

So pray for me.

 

[A_Catholic]

And since it is not required that one say the rosary - why would this be a problem.
Suppose that a person never said the rosary, but DID say daily, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Liturgy of the hours, as well as other prayers. Would you consider them to be less than a devout Catholic simply because the Rosary of our Lady simply isn’t their “cup of tea”?
I ask you to look again at the OP and note that the person is considering other devotions that they would like to include in their daily prayer life. I hardly think that this person is going to stop praying altogether…and this is where my focus is - on prayer, not on a specific prayer (except the Lords Prayer) but simply on prayer…
Certainly we should go by this…But this is a minimum and we may receive these sacraments much more often. Likewise, even though a particular devotion is NOT required, we may partake of IT as often as we like as well.

Defending the rosary is a good thing, if it is attacked. I have not seen anyone here attack it.

Thank you for your kind words re: my wife. I apologize if I mixed things up. I wish I could attend daily mass again…we use to…

Me too

Peace
James

I think we have come to the end of the line here. The old saying “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink” seems to be in play here. I have quoted many holy and righteous people who have promoted this devotion. If someone doesn’t want to accept it, that is their decision. We all have free will.

My initial reason for posting in this thread was to defend the Rosary because, as I said, although some said it is a good devotion, no one really pointed out why it is such a powerful devotion. And yes, there were absolutely some negative postings here about the Rosary. Go back and read again. I am hoping that if anyone who is wondering about the Rosary does read this, they will come away with a very postive attitude towards the Rosary and make it a part of their daily devotion, as Blessed John Paul II, among countless others, have told us to do.

To leave you with the quote of yet another pope:

" The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying." -Pope Leo XIII

 

[A_Catholic]

A Catholic.

I’m going to add just one more little post here…

Sometimes we can seem like we are farther apart than we are in actuality.

Sometimes a person who has a very strong devotion can promote it in such a way that it almost sounds like a dogmatic pronouncement…and can lead to misunderstandings among the faithful. I’m not saying that you have done this, “A Catholic”, I’m just speaking in general terms.

Likewise if another person has a different devotion or is drawn to a different form of spirituality, they can come off as too dismissive. ( I admit that I am guilty of that sometimes).

When these two views come in contact, it can become a bit testy.

I probably should not have even replied to your very fine initial post. I had already offered my advice to the OP and you were offering yours. Frankly - I should have kept my fat fingers off the keyboard…
So allow me to apologize for any discomfort I might have caused you.

Please know that I love our Lady and I also appreciate the rosary, though I admit I rarely pray it all the way through. My prayer life simply tends to run in a different direction.

peace
James

I kind of had a feeling that you were not especially devoted to the Rosary.

Thank you for your kind words. Just a suggestion: Read The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis Marie de Montfort. It will change your life.

 

[A_Catholic]

He didn’t say it’s impossible. Just a whole lot harder.

We have a choice between two routes to Heaven.

One is paved in gold, with a cool sun, neither too hot nor too cold, with regular rest stations on the way. You don’t even have to walk. You just need to sit back and let Our Lady lead you.

The other is shrouded in darkness and laced with cracks and brambles and had a highwayman ready to steal everything from you hiding in every nook and cranny. By God’s great mercy yes you can fumble your way, blind and alone, on this path.

On the other you can enjoy the comfort of His Mother, the same Mother whom He gave to us as our Advocate and Mediatrix from the very Altar of the Cross its self.

We’re all called to take up our crosses. And with the aid of her such crosses will be as the sweetest wine. Otherwise one will taste only bile.

Thank you for this beautiful post. There truly is no more surer and easier way to our Lord than through his Blessed Mother.

 

[TrueLight]

He didn’t say it’s impossible. Just a whole lot harder.

I don’t agree that it is a whole lot harder necessarily.

By the way, just because someone does not say the Rosary daily does not mean they don’t have a devotion to our Lady.

 

[JRKH]

He didn’t say it’s impossible. Just a whole lot harder.

We have a choice between two routes to Heaven.

One is paved in gold, with a cool sun, neither too hot nor too cold, with regular rest stations on the way. You don’t even have to walk. You just need to sit back and let Our Lady lead you.

The other is shrouded in darkness and laced with cracks and brambles and had a highwayman ready to steal everything from you hiding in every nook and cranny. By God’s great mercy yes you can fumble your way, blind and alone, on this path.

On the other you can enjoy the comfort of His Mother, the same Mother whom He gave to us as our Advocate and Mediatrix from the very Altar of the Cross its self.

We’re all called to take up our crosses. And with the aid of her such crosses will be as the sweetest wine. Otherwise one will taste only bile.

This is the sort of pronouncement that bothers me. I know of NO Church teaching that makes such a statement.

I am led by Jesus Christ - My Lord, King, Savior and God. It is to Christ that I point my feet and to whom Mary points as well.
To say that unless you are led by Mary the road is “shrouded in darkness and laced with cracks and brambles and had a highwayman ready to steal everything from you hiding in every nook and cranny” - is foolish and insulting. Christ is the light in the darkness. Mary reflects that light it is true - but hers is a reflected light.
I am led by the firm and true light of Christ. Therefore my road, narrow but straight, is NOT dark but is light, firm clear and well paved and the end is the Beatific vision of God.

We rely on God and on Christ for our salvation. Mary Points to Christ. Mary is a wonderful example and a great comfort to Her Children. But Mary follows Christ just as we all do. That is why she is referred to as the perfect disciple.

Sorry - but such statements just push my buttons…

Peace
James

 

[Laudate_Dominum]

I don’t agree that it is a whole lot harder necessarily.

Our Lady is the path Our Lord Himself tread in coming to us.

By the way, just because someone does not say the Rosary daily does not mean they don’t have a devotion to our Lady.

Next to the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin (which is a part of the Liturgical prayer of the Church) the Rosary is the greatest devotion to Our Blessed Lady as it was instituted by she herself. Why would someone disregard this beautiful devotion to her receive from her own hands? How could someone truly say that they are devoted to her and not nurture a love of her beads?

 

[TrueLight]

This is the sort of pronouncement that bothers me. I know of NO Church teaching that makes such a statement.

I am led by Jesus Christ - My Lord, King, Savior and God. It is to Christ that I point my feet and to whom Mary points as well.
To say that unless you are led by Mary the road is “shrouded in darkness and laced with cracks and brambles and had a highwayman ready to steal everything from you hiding in every nook and cranny” - is foolish and insulting. Christ is the light in the darkness. Mary reflects that light it is true - but hers is a reflected light.
I am led by the firm and true light of Christ. Therefore my road, narrow but straight, is NOT dark but is light, firm clear and well paved and the end is the Beatific vision of God.

We rely on God and on Christ for our salvation. Mary Points to Christ. Mary is a wonderful example and a great comfort to Her Children. But Mary follows Christ just as we all do. That is why she is referred to as the perfect disciple.

Sorry - but such statements just push my buttons…

Peace
James

Amen Brother.

 

[Laudate_Dominum]

. . .]

Mary is the path of Christ.

 

[Big_Feet]

This is the sort of pronouncement that bothers me. I know of NO Church teaching that makes such a statement.
.
.
.
Sorry - but such statements just push my buttons…

As they should any faithful Catholic.
As you said, Jesus is our savior, NOT Mary.

 

[A_Catholic]

This is the sort of pronouncement that bothers me. I know of NO Church teaching that makes such a statement.

I am led by Jesus Christ - My Lord, King, Savior and God. It is to Christ that I point my feet and to whom Mary points as well.
To say that unless you are led by Mary the road is “shrouded in darkness and laced with cracks and brambles and had a highwayman ready to steal everything from you hiding in every nook and cranny” - is foolish and insulting. Christ is the light in the darkness. Mary reflects that light it is true - but hers is a reflected light.
I am led by the firm and true light of Christ. Therefore my road, narrow but straight, is NOT dark but is light, firm clear and well paved and the end is the Beatific vision of God.

We rely on God and on Christ for our salvation. Mary Points to Christ. Mary is a wonderful example and a great comfort to Her Children. But Mary follows Christ just as we all do. That is why she is referred to as the perfect disciple.

Sorry - but such statements just push my buttons…

Peace
James

Laudate Dominum was basically quoting from St. Louis Marie de Montfort from “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.” He wrote the following:

This devotion is a smooth, short, perfect and sure way of attaining union with our Lord, in which Christian perfection consists. (a) This devotion is a smooth way. It is the path which Jesus Christ opened up in coming to us and in which there is no obstruction to prevent us reaching him. It is quite true that we can attain to divine union by other roads, but these involve many more crosses and exceptional setbacks and many difficulties that we cannot easily overcome. (b) This devotion is a short way to discover Jesus, either because it is a road we do not wander from, or because, as we have just said, we walk along this road with greater ease and joy, and consequently with greater speed. We advance more in a brief period of submission to Mary and dependence on her than in whole years of self-will and self-reliance. (c) This devotion is a perfect way to reach our Lord and be united to him, for Mary is the most perfect and the most holy of all creatures, and Jesus, who came to us in a perfect manner, chose no other road for his great and wonderful journey. The Most High, the Incomprehensible One, the Inaccessible One, He who is, deigned to come down to us poor earthly creatures who are nothing at all. How was this done? The Most High God came down to us in a perfect way through the humble Virgin Mary, without losing anything of his divinity or holiness. It is likewise through Mary that we poor creatures must ascend to almighty God in a perfect manner without having anything to fear.(d) This devotion to our Lady is a sure way to go to Jesus and to acquire holiness through union with him. The devotion which I teach is not new. Indeed it could not be condemned without overthrowing the foundations of Christianity. It is obvious then that this devotion is not new. If it is not commonly practised, the reason is that it is too sublime to be appreciated and undertaken by everyone. This devotion is a safe means of going to Jesus Christ, because it is Mary’s role to lead us safely to her Son.

So you see, it is not Laudate Dominum who was pushing your buttons, but St. Louis Marie de Montfort.