Please settle this once and for all

[CSN]

I am trying to pray the rosary every day, but it’s quite difficult.

I have not seen any conclusive argument that a rosary may or may not be broken up into parts during the day.

Does anyone have any conclusive information that is reasonably supported?

Not only that, I now see that some are saying the entire rosary must be prayed every day.

traditioninaction.org/religious/d013rp15Decades_Stretenovic.html

This priest says 15, but now it would be 20. That would be almost 2 hours. I believe I could only do this if it were my job i.e. if I were a cloistered monk.

 

[LilyM]

In order to gain any formal indulgences attached to the Rosary, then that Rosary (five decades) must be prayed in a single sitting.

Apart from that, of course it can be broken up into parts.

Certainly if one has time one should pray as much as possible of the Rosary each day. I myself can often manage ten decades, but then the nature of my job is such that I can say the odd Hail Mary every now and then at work and do so that way.

And I sometimes take advantage of time spent walking, on public transport or in queues. You’d be surprised how much time can sometimes be found in this way.

And as I gradually increase the amount of time spent in prayer, I find that I tend to, and want to, gradually spend less and less time on passive amusements like television. I’m more drawn to what I consider to be fruitful uses of my time. This in itself gives me more time for prayer!

I even find I need less sleep sometimes, which also makes more time available for prayer. I think it’s a true saying ‘to him who has, more will be given’. Mind you, I live alone so don’t have the demands of family to weigh on me quite so heavily.

So don’t concern yourself. Pray as much or as little as you can, at whatever time or times you find most convenient. And pray for a sincere heart and love of the Rosary in order that whatever amount of it you say will be of maximum fruitfulness.

 

[CatholicSwede]

In the Handbook of Indulgences Norms and Grants, 1991 (available at www.ewtn.com)

"The rosary is a prayer formula divided into fifteen decades *(prior *]to Luminous added in 2000) of Hail Mary’s with the Lord’s prayer separating each of these decades. During each of these decades we recall in devout meditation the mysteries of our redemption.

It has become customary to call but five such decades the “rosary” also. Concerning this customary usage then, the following norms are given as regards a plenary indulgence. The recitation of a third of the rosary is sufficient for obtaining the plenary indulgence…"**

So - One rosary consists of one 5 decade rosary currently and officially recognized by the Church as such.**

 

[puzzleannie]

I don’t know what you mean by “once and for all” since there is no debate to settle. This priest, one spiritual advisor among many, recommends praying a 15 decade rosary every day. One 5 decade rosary or any portion of it is fine, and is in the tradition of the Church, those who can and want to do more are perfectly free to do so, but advice does not have the force of law. Pray as you can. One decade, or even one Hail Mary with love, attention and devotion is better than 15 decades with bitterness and grumbling and resentment.

Just pray as you can and focus on making it a regular habit and being faithful in prayer, rather than trying to run prayer marathons. I pray the whole rosary all mysteries every day because that is how long it takes for me to circumnavigate the golf course walking. If I spend less time walking, I pray fewer decades, no biggie, I just pick up where I left off tomorrow.

The rosary is essentially a private devotion so do what works for you. You don’t require the approval or permission of anyone here.

 

[rpp]

I am trying to pray the rosary every day, but it’s quite difficult.

I have not seen any conclusive argument that a rosary may or may not be broken up into parts during the day.

Does anyone have any conclusive information that is reasonably supported?

Not only that, I now see that some are saying the entire rosary must be prayed every day.

traditioninaction.org/religious/d013rp15Decades_Stretenovic.html

This priest says 15, but now it would be 20. That would be almost 2 hours. I believe I could only do this if it were my job i.e. if I were a cloistered monk.

Except for those who have a special devotion, most people who pray the Rosary pray only 5 decades at a time.

Here is the suggested schedule.
Sunday: Glorious Mysteries
Monday: Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday: Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday: Glorious Mysteries
Thursday: Luminous Mysteries (new)
Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries
Saturyday: Joyful Mysteries

In addition, during advent, praying the Joyful mysteries more often, and during Lent the Sorrowful Mysteries, is a pious practice.

A few years ago, Pope John Paul II introduced the Luminous mysteries. However, praying these newer mysteries is not a practice everyone has adopted. I am not certain but I do not think the Dominicans, the order which introduced the Rosary as a devotion, have adopted the Luminous mysteries.

 

[CSN]

Holy,

I liken posting to fishing. Waiting for a response, any response.

This may be a record. Like catching 153 fish. Well, 4 posts, but at least 153 lines

Ok, well, this really changes a lot. I can now plan on systematically doing my 54-day novena.

Btw, “once and for all” means “I never really understood”.

Thanks for the responses…

 

[Andruschak]

I am trying to pray the rosary every day, but it’s quite difficult.

I have not seen any conclusive argument that a rosary may or may not be broken up into parts during the day.

Does anyone have any conclusive information that is reasonably supported?
.

No, but I am sure Mother Mary would APPROVE your doing just five decades, broken up as time permits. Remember, she probably had time management problems bringing up Jesus (no disposable diapers back then), so she really does understand.