Praying the *Entire* Rosary

[Miserys_Fence]

Like most people, I do one set of Mysteries a day, but thought that on Christmas Day, I’d like to do them all in one sitting.

How do I do this? After completing the 5th decade of the first set of Mysteries, do I just go right into the 2nd set? Or do I finish the first set as usual (Hail, Holy Queen and the Sign of the Cross) and start completely over with the second set (Sign of the Cross, Apostle’s Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, etc.)?

Sorry for my ignorance, but I’ve never done it this way before.

Thanks!
Miz

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

You just go straight into the other set without saying the hail holy queen or the beginning of the rosary(apostles’ creed, our father, 3 hail mary’s, glory be, etc.). Just do it as though you are going to another mystery.

They order of the mysteries goes along with time, as you probably know.

Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, Glorious.

 

[malphono]

The good nuns used to wear a 15-decade rosary, (some few still do), which was constructed as normal with one set of introductory beads. I recall them explaining that the 5-decade rosary was an abbreviation and that properly, it should be prayed in its full 15-decade form. Not sure if that’s at all helpful, but it’s somewhere to start.

 

[Miserys_Fence]

Thanks, both of you!

Like most people, I feel like my life is one big rush from one thing to another, and I’m unhappy that my spiritual life (including prayer) is more and more becoming something to “squeeze in” between kids, work, chores, etc. This is why I hope to become a nun when my kids are out on their own–spirituality will be the center of my life, and everything else will be what gets “squeezed in.”

But for now, I had been thinking that on those rare occasions when I do have time to pray the entire Rosary, I should take advantage of it.

Miz

 

[1believer1]

The good nuns used to wear a 15-decade rosary, (some few still do), which was constructed as normal with one set of introductory beads. I recall them explaining that the 5-decade rosary was an abbreviation and that properly, it should be prayed in its full 15-decade form. Not sure if that’s at all helpful, but it’s somewhere to start.

Since John Paul II ( The Great ) encouraged everyone to pray the Luminous Mysteries it is now a 20 decade rosary. I would encourage you to pray as much of the rosary as you can, if only 5 decades a day it will make our Blessed Mother happy and it will bring many good things to you. Remember that you can try to make everything that you do ( including work ) a prayer.

 

[Red_Meg]

Even if doing a full 15- or 20-decade Rosary is too much to pull off on a regular basis, it’s still a lovely gift to Our Lady on the rare occasion you can-- like bringing a beautiful bouquet of roses to your mother. Even if it’s just a few times a year, I’m sure she appreciates it.

Like most people, I feel like my life is one big rush from one thing to another, and I’m unhappy that my spiritual life (including prayer) is more and more becoming something to “squeeze in” between kids, work, chores, etc. This is why I hope to become a nun when my kids are out on their own–spirituality will be the center of my life, and everything else will be what gets “squeezed in.”

I do sympathize-- I have eight children myself. But it’s always important to realize that we are all called to be saints in the here and now, not just in some idealized future that may never come. It is the toughest thing, sometimes, to lay aside whatever I’m in the middle of (laundry particularly comes to mind, as it is never, ever done!) But it is so worthwhile, and so pleasing to Our Lord to give him even fifteen or twenty minutes of time in one-on-one conversation with Him. And He is never outdone in generosity-- on the days I feel I can least “afford” the time, He always pays me back in spades, either with the rest of the day going more smoothly than normal, so I can get more work done, or else with giving me an extra big dollop of patience with the kids so I don’t lose my cool. Setting aside some time for your interior life is always worth it.

And back to your original point-- the mechanics have already been explained, but I just wanted to add, Good for you, remembering your Blessed Mother in such a special way on Christmas. That is just beautiful…

Merry Christmas,

Margaret

 

[donanobis]

Even if doing a full 15- or 20-decade Rosary is too much to pull off on a regular basis, it’s still a lovely gift to Our Lady …I do sympathize-- I have eight children myself. But it’s always important to realize that we are all called to be saints in the here and now, not just in some idealized future that may never come. It is the toughest thing, sometimes, to lay aside whatever I’m in the middle of (laundry particularly comes to mind, as it is never, ever done!) But it is so worthwhile, and so pleasing to Our Lord to give him even fifteen or twenty minutes of time in one-on-one conversation with Him. And He is never outdone in generosity-- on the days I feel I can least “afford” the time, He always pays me back in spades, either with the rest of the day going more smoothly than normal, so I can get more work done, or else with giving me an extra big dollop of patience with the kids so I don’t lose my cool. Setting aside some time for your interior life is always worth it…Margaret

…it’s always important to realize that we are all called to be saints in the here and now, not just in some idealized future that may never come…He is never outdone in generosity-- on the days I feel I can least “afford” the time, He always pays me back in spades, either with the rest of the day going more smoothly than normal, so I can get more work done, or else with giving me an extra big dollop of patience…

Isn’t this wonderful to hear!

If I may add…AMEN!!!

dona

 

[NeedImprovement]

Thanks, both of you!

Like most people, I feel like my life is one big rush from one thing to another, and I’m unhappy that my spiritual life (including prayer) is more and more becoming something to “squeeze in” between kids, work, chores, etc. This is why I hope to become a nun when my kids are out on their own–spirituality will be the center of my life, and everything else will be what gets “squeezed in.”

But for now, I had been thinking that on those rare occasions when I do have time to pray the entire Rosary, I should take advantage of it.

Miz

It does seem in most of our lives that we’re always under pressure to fulfill our next task while we’re still in the middle of performing the previous one , but being a mother also is “spirituality” . Our Blessed Mother leads the way in spirituality and she still had time to be a mother… then in her spirituality, she became even more of a Mother .

Mothers are awesome, though I sometimes wonder how my own dear mother ever survived raising her four wild children o)

Here’s a jewel from Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty …

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON ON EARTH IS A MOTHER

The Most Important Person on earth is a mother.
She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral.
She need not.
She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral-
a dwelling for an immortal soul,
the tiny perfection of her baby’s body…
The angels have not been blessed with such a grace.
They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven.
Only a human mother can.
Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature;
God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation…
What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this:
to be a mother?

*Cardinal Mindszenty was imprisoned first by the Nazis and then by the Communists which prevented him from completing all that he wished to write in tribute of mothers. *

 

[corsair]

Your question has been correctly answered. Just go directly to the second set of Mysteries.

As a side note; I have never or even plan to say the “Luminous mysteries” . Guess I’m “stuck” in traditional land. But I’m happy about it .

 

[1believer1]

Your question has been correctly answered. Just go directly to the second set of Mysteries.

As a side note; I have never or even plan to say the “Luminous mysteries” . Guess I’m “stuck” in traditional land. But I’m happy about it .

Check out this site and think about the possibility that these Mysteries are another part of our Saviors life. Remember that all the Mysteries are a snapshot of the scriptures.
Step out and look around.

rosary-center.org/luminous.htm

 

[cathguy]

Your question has been correctly answered. Just go directly to the second set of Mysteries.

As a side note; I have never or even plan to say the “Luminous mysteries” . Guess I’m “stuck” in traditional land. But I’m happy about it .

Well, you have good company. Eaamon Duffy of Oxford University would probably agree with you!

I happen to like the Luminous Mysteries, but I understand traditionalist concerns. There is no requirement to use JP II’s luminous mysteries, nor his Biblical “Way of the Cross” in lieu of the stations.

Some will gain nourishment from these practices. Some won’t.

I just wish more than maybe 5 percent of Catholics prayed the rosary to begin with, and even knew that there ARE mysteries to meditate on.

 

[Lycorth]

I just wish more than maybe 5 percent of Catholics prayed the rosary to begin with, and even knew that there ARE mysteries to meditate on.

Indeed! In the Rosary we have a powerful weapon that is almost never taken advantage of.

Sure, it’s hard to even get in five decades, but it’s well worth it for the worship of the Lord and the betterment of our own souls. Sacrificing the time to say even just five decades is rewarded in ways we cannot fathom.

 

[ljubim]

Your question has been correctly answered. Just go directly to the second set of Mysteries.

As a side note; I have never or even plan to say the “Luminous mysteries” . Guess I’m “stuck” in traditional land. But I’m happy about it .

I love the Luminous (the Wedding at Cana is one of my favorite bible stories, I imagine a terse conversation between Mary and Jesus and can’t help but smile when Mary won’t listen and says, Do whatever He asks you )

But I don’t say them either… I can’t bring myself to for some reason The other ones are memorized more easily I think, and it can get distracting to keep looking down at a paper when you’re praying looking at the Crucifix or an icon.

 

[cathguy]

The other ones are memorized more easily I think, and it can get distracting to keep looking down at a paper when you’re praying looking at the Crucifix or an icon.

Just on the topic of memorization, I found the following book most helpful in memorizing things like Bible verses, the mysteries of the Rosaries, and all the books of the Bible in order:

Memorize the Faith by Kevin Vost PhD. Beautiful book. Very effective.

 

[Abenadar]

Well, you have good company. Eaamon Duffy of Oxford University would probably agree with you!

I happen to like the Luminous Mysteries, but I understand traditionalist concerns. There is no requirement to use JP II’s luminous mysteries, nor his Biblical “Way of the Cross” in lieu of the stations.

Some will gain nourishment from these practices. Some won’t.

I just wish more than maybe 5 percent of Catholics prayed the rosary to begin with, and even knew that there ARE mysteries to meditate on.

Cathguy, well put!

Unlike you I’m somewhat indifferent to the Luminous Mysteries and have never prayed them myself. Moreover, I probably never will unless it is in addition to my daily 5-decade rosary. I agree that some will gain nourishment and this is a good thing. Deo gratias! On the other hand I like the ‘traditional’ 15 decade rosary, with all its symbolism, which is done away with in adding an ‘extra’ five mysteries.

 

[LovedMyAlydar]

After reading a powerful little book called, “The Secret of the Rosary” I promised myself to try and pray the entire rosary every day. Most days I do say it all but some days I just am not able to complete it.

We pray 5 decades each night as a family and I try do do 5 before work and 5 on the way home.

 

[Apryl]

After reading a powerful little book called, “The Secret of the Rosary” I promised myself to try and pray the entire rosary every day. Most days I do say it all but some days I just am not able to complete it.

We pray 5 decades each night as a family and I try do do 5 before work and 5 on the way home.

I’m jealous!

 

[Malleus_01]

There is a great book by St Louis Marie De Montfort who describes his method and of course many Catholics do not pray the Lumenous Mysteries , I being one. Dont get me wrong - All prayer is good. But Our Lady made her promises to those devoted to HER Rosary and since the Rosary came from her - many still pray the 15 Mystery Holy Rosary. There is a reason why its a 15 mystery Rosary. The Rosary has its origin in antiquity as the Psalter. Levitical Priests have always prayed the 150 Psalms of King David. This continues today in the Priests daily office. Over a period of time in Praying the Office they cover every Psalm. Many devout Lay people in the early Church wanted to incorporate this devotion into their prayer life so they began to offer the Psalter - One Our Father for each Psalm. The Marian Psalter is one Hail Mary for each Psalm. And of course the Marian Psalter became the Holy Rosary (St Dominic) Many miracles are attributred to the 15 Mystery Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lepanto comes to mind. The Devotion consists of Offering 5 decades of the Rosary each day - The Joyful on Monday Sorrowful on Tuesday Glorious on Wednesday then the Joyful / Sorrowful / Glorious in sequence for each of the following days Thursday Friday Saturday. On Sunday - the Season dictates which Mysteries to offer. For example - its Sexagesima week so its Sorrrowful this Sunday. On Easter and after It will be Glorious - this past Advent / Christmas it was Joyful. We add the Fatima Prayers after each decade. This is one method that Catholics have used for quite some time.

 

[corsair]

Great response, Malleus 01. One of the better explainations I’ve heard. Being retired gives me a lot of time to pray the Rosary. In fact I have been averaging about 10-12 Rosaries daily for over 2 1/2 years. Once I finish a Rosary, I just begin again.

Cheers

 

[1believer1]

There is a great book by St Louis Marie De Montfort who describes his method and of course many Catholics do not pray the Lumenous Mysteries , I being one. Dont get me wrong - All prayer is good. But Our Lady made her promises to those devoted to HER Rosary and since the Rosary came from her - many still pray the 15 Mystery Holy Rosary. There is a reason why its a 15 mystery Rosary. The Rosary has its origin in antiquity as the Psalter. Levitical Priests have always prayed the 150 Psalms of King David. This continues today in the Priests daily office. Over a period of time in Praying the Office they cover every Psalm. Many devout Lay people in the early Church wanted to incorporate this devotion into their prayer life so they began to offer the Psalter - One Our Father for each Psalm. The Marian Psalter is one Hail Mary for each Psalm. And of course the Marian Psalter became the Holy Rosary (St Dominic) Many miracles are attributred to the 15 Mystery Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lepanto comes to mind. The Devotion consists of Offering 5 decades of the Rosary each day - The Joyful on Monday Sorrowful on Tuesday Glorious on Wednesday then the Joyful / Sorrowful / Glorious in sequence for each of the following days Thursday Friday Saturday. On Sunday - the Season dictates which Mysteries to offer. For example - its Sexagesima week so its Sorrrowful this Sunday. On Easter and after It will be Glorious - this past Advent / Christmas it was Joyful. We add the Fatima Prayers after each decade. This is one method that Catholics have used for quite some time.

Not to add any confusion, but I will. There are some that talk about tradition which I think is good, but then we add the EXTRA prayer from Fatima and we accept that without a problem. When one of the most influential Popes of all times ( referred by some as JP ll The Great ) suggests that we add the Luminous Mysteries perhaps we should listen. In the CCC (2682 ) we are reminded that we pray in communion with The Blessed Mother about Jesus in which She points to and asks us to reflect on HIM. Praying the rosary was a way of praying the Liturgy of the Hours, without having to know all the prayers. Praying the rosary is a way of reading/meditating on scripture. The Luminous Mysteries are just an additional reading from scripture … it adds … not detracts from your prayer life. One more point, but not to be rude or condescending , but I believe that the rosary came from our Lord and He asked His Mother to promote this prayer so that many could have His story available to them at all times even when they might be unable to read or even have a priest available for the Holy Mass and for teaching. Just my humble opinion.