Is the rosary scriptural?

[RodneyJ]

Is it? If not, what is the origin, why is it important?

 

[vern_humphrey]

Is it? If not, what is the origin, why is it important?

The rosary originated in the middle ages, possibly in Ireland. There are many different forms – including one where the Lord’s Prayer replaces the Hail Mary.

The prayers themselves are scriptural – the Lord’s Prayer is straight out of the Gospel. The Hail Mary is in three parts, the Annunciation (when the Angel tells Mary she is to bear the Christ), the Visitation (when Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth) and the Petition – which is an essential element of almost all prayers.

The rosary is used for meditative prayers – the proper use is to meditate on one of the Mystries while praying each decade.

 

[Joe_5859]

Are people praying the rosary in Scripture? No. It developed over time. It was firmly in place by the time of St. Dominic (12th century), but it was probably in use well before that. It is an old prayer.

BUT, the Rosary is a profoundly scriptural prayer! There are 20 “mysteries” of the rosary, most all of which are events that are explicitly in Scripture. The prayers are mostly from Scripture, too (the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be).

For more info on the Rosary:

• Pope John Paul II’s recent encyclical on the Rosary - [Rosarium Virginis Mariae (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/j...apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae_en.html)
• Catholic Answers tract - The Rosary
• The 1909 Catholic Encyclopedia - The Rosary
• A short synopsis of the Development of the Rosary

 

[Subrosa]

Is it? If not, what is the origin, why is it important?

Pray without ceasing, Rodney. Pray without ceasing.

Sub

 

[stinkcat_14]

Also remember Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”

 

[TheDoctor]

Is it? If not, what is the origin, why is it important?

Hi Rodney. To answer:

1. Yes, it is.
2. I have read that it may have originated in early Church monastic orders as a way for the illiterate laity to pray along with the monks as they read and recited the 150 psalms, but as Joe 5869 pointed out, it was well established as a formal devotion around the 12-13 century.
3. It is important to those who use it as devotional prayer for many reasons, as I am sure your devotional prayers are important to you. For me, it is the chance to slow down my day and spend some time recalling the major events in the life of our Lord and how they impact me.

 

[water]

Rodney, I recently read this book, and it is very helpful:
aquinasandmore.com/index.cfm/title/New-Rosary-in-Scripture/FuseAction/store.ItemDetails/SKU/18654/imageSize/Lg/

 

[RodneyJ]

You guys have been very helpful! Thanks for your answers!