Question about praying the rosary for a sick relative

[matthew1624]

A family member has asked me to pray the rosary for a sick relative. She indicated that I would need to pray it 3 times a day until the person is healed. Apparently, the prayer group must consist of 12 people and the following statement “In the spirit flesh of ____________.” must be said before you begin. The name mentioned here is not the person in need of healing but the person leading the rosary. Is anyone familiar with this type of prayer, especially the “In the spirit flesh of” part? I’m a little concerned about it?

Thanks

 

[Detroit_Sue]

I’ve never heard it put that way, nor have I ever heard that you have to do it 3x a day. At the very beginning of my rosary, I meditate on my intentions, and remember by name the people I most wish to intend, remember the people who have asked for my prayers, those for whom I have promised to pray, and for those intentions of my Blessed Mother.

 

[Sheen]

It’s ludicrous that one is expected to believe that God will not hear the prayers unless these specific numeric qualifications are followed.

Prayed only twice a day? Not good enough! What? Only 10 people praying? I can’t heaaaaarrrrrrrr you!

Not only silly, but dangerous to attach qualifications to prayers in order for them to be effective or heard by God.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

The three times a day “requirement” is definitely not an appropriate understanding of the prayer. In addition, this:

“In the spirit flesh of ____________.”

is confusing. Maybe the idea is that you are a spiritual extension of the one leading the prayer? I guess that could sort of refer to the Communion of Saints, but it sounds almost occult to me.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

It’s possible that this is innocuous, but I would definitely want to know more about this before participating in the “prescribed” manner. I’ve never heard of a prayer group that used "in the spirit flesh of "–that to me sounds extremely New Age or even gnostic. The three times? Does the person mean praying the rosary (all FOUR mysteries) thrice daily, or praying THREE of the mysteries daily (as many people did prior to the “Luminous” mysteries–saying all three together made a “Complete” rosary. Today you’d have to say FOUR mysteries’ worth to have a “Complete” rosary, though).

Confusing. . .and, because it’s for a good cause apparently, also disturbing. Definitely do a further check, not to criticize but to educate yourself, IMO.

 

[Marie]

matthew1624:

A family member has asked me to pray the rosary for a sick relative. She indicated that I would need to pray it 3 times a day until the person is healed. Apparently, the prayer group must consist of 12 people and the following statement “In the spirit flesh of ____________.” must be said before you begin. The name mentioned here is not the person in need of healing but the person leading the rosary. Is anyone familiar with this type of prayer, especially the “In the spirit flesh of” part? I’m a little concerned about it?

Thanks

Matthew,

You are right to be concerned. It is good to pray but not the way this is set up. It is a perfect example of superstition, which is of itself sinful. Superstition means ascribing to a creature powers it possesses neither by nature nor by grace.The request of X times per day and the strange use of the prayer leaders name is superstition. This sounds very much like dispensing-machine Catholicism: just as a person puts the coin in the vending machine and presses the button to get the desired soda, here a person says the prayers a certain number of times per day and uses certain words, and is supposedly guaranteed that the request will be granted. So much for God’s will.

It is to be avoided and the church does not approve such practices. The Church highly endorses popular devotions, “provided they accord with the laws and norms of the Church, above all when they are ordered by the Apostolic See.” Regional or local devotions are also encouraged as well, provided they conform “to customs or books lawfully approved.” (CSL, 13)

Continue to pray to God through the intercession of Jesus, Mary, and the saints using the prayers that are near and dear to your heart. Don’t spend your time praying in a superstitious manner. It is not necessary. God knows what is in your heart before you ask it – and knows what is best. Pray the rosary, Divine Mercy or whatever you choose for the person and use the rubric’s approved by the church: “Pray it with faith, all things are possible with God!”

God knows exactly what the need is. He always answers prayer even if it is not a healing you can have complete trust that He answers it the best for all concerned. The person is His child and He knows what His plan is. Pray and be sure to Thank God for whatever His answer may be.
jmj,
Marie

 

[matthew1624]

Tantum ergo:

Does the person mean praying the rosary (all FOUR mysteries) thrice daily, or praying THREE of the mysteries daily (as many people did prior to the “Luminous” mysteries–saying all three together made a “Complete” rosary. Today you’d have to say FOUR mysteries’ worth to have a “Complete” rosary, though).

The request was to pray any three mysteries of the rosary.

Confusing. . .and, because it’s for a good cause apparently, also disturbing. Definitely do a further check, not to criticize but to educate yourself, IMO.

I am definitetly going to pray for the sick relative but not in the format prescribed. I do not feel comfortable (i.e. superstitious feeling) about it.

Thanks