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Generic_Man
Guest
Am I required to meditate on the mysteries while I pray it? And can I pray it in my head and not aloud?
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Feedmysheep
Guest
As it’s a private revelation, you don’t have to pray it at all. Of course, you don’t HAVE to do lots of things that will make you healthier/happier/stronger/more loving, etc. etc… 
The meditations are there to reflect on scenes from Our Lord’s life. I like to meditate on different things. Sometimes I like to try and actually put myself IN the scene, to feel even closer to Jesus. Other times, I try to see how the fruits of each particular Mystery can be applied to my life (how can Mary’s lesson of humility during the Annunciation be useful to me, for example). Other times, I just let the Holy Spirit guide me.
As for praying it out loud or silently, either way is fine. When reciting the Rosary with my family at night, we say it out loud, together. When praying it alone, I prefer to say it silently.
If done with reverence, and a sincere desire to draw closer to the Blessed Trinity, then you can’t go wrong.
EDIT: When praying it with three children 5 and under, I rarely get the tranquility needed to meditate on the Mysteries.
The meditations are there to reflect on scenes from Our Lord’s life. I like to meditate on different things. Sometimes I like to try and actually put myself IN the scene, to feel even closer to Jesus. Other times, I try to see how the fruits of each particular Mystery can be applied to my life (how can Mary’s lesson of humility during the Annunciation be useful to me, for example). Other times, I just let the Holy Spirit guide me.
As for praying it out loud or silently, either way is fine. When reciting the Rosary with my family at night, we say it out loud, together. When praying it alone, I prefer to say it silently.
If done with reverence, and a sincere desire to draw closer to the Blessed Trinity, then you can’t go wrong.
EDIT: When praying it with three children 5 and under, I rarely get the tranquility needed to meditate on the Mysteries.
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JoeSchmeau
Guest
I believe that the Rosary is all about the mysteries. The verbal (or yes, mental) prayers are intended to help us focus – on the mysteries. To me, the Rosary without the mysteries is just mindless words – something we are cautioned about in the Bible.
While I don’t always maintain very good focus on each mystery, I don’t even attempt the Rosary without them.
While I don’t always maintain very good focus on each mystery, I don’t even attempt the Rosary without them.
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Feedmysheep
Guest
“mindless words”??
The Our Father is just “mindless”? The scripture of the Hail Mary is “just words”? What about the Glory Be? The Apostles’ Prayer? Are you kidding?
Is your opinion of these ancient prayers really so low?
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Timidity
Guest
Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ: ‘In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt 6:7).
Marialis Cultus, Pope John XXIII
Quoted in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II
Quoted in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II
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Feedmysheep
Guest
I guess the real question is, WHY wouldn’t someone meditate on the Mysteries? Is it because they’re new to the Rosary? Is it because they’re very little? Is it because they’re lazy?
I think the first two scenarios are valid reasons to postpone the meditations. My husband is new to the Rosary, and is taking the time to really absorb what the prayers say, to observe their Biblical roots. My children are also new to the Rosary, being 5, 2, and an infant. Should they, then not participate in the family Rosary, because they’re running the risk of not meditating on the Mysteries?
If one is willfully avoiding the Mysteries, then one would wonder why they’re even engaging in it. Yes, the Mysteries are the soul of the prayer, but I think it is wrong to suggest that those who don’t meditate on them are simply mindlessly repeating “just something”.
I think the first two scenarios are valid reasons to postpone the meditations. My husband is new to the Rosary, and is taking the time to really absorb what the prayers say, to observe their Biblical roots. My children are also new to the Rosary, being 5, 2, and an infant. Should they, then not participate in the family Rosary, because they’re running the risk of not meditating on the Mysteries?
If one is willfully avoiding the Mysteries, then one would wonder why they’re even engaging in it. Yes, the Mysteries are the soul of the prayer, but I think it is wrong to suggest that those who don’t meditate on them are simply mindlessly repeating “just something”.
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Timidity
Guest
Because they’re driving and it is, by definition, impossible to meditate and drive at the same time…?
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Feedmysheep
Guest
Because they’re in a tremendously stressful situation, and momentarily lack the concentration to meditate…?
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Timidity
Guest
Because they were never taught properly and are ignorantly doing it the way they always have…?
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JoeSchmeau
Guest
I’m not sure what I said that made you so defensive. This is just an online forum, and I am just a humble man trying to give an opinion. If you disagree, that’s just fine, but perhaps you should do some research first.
As Timidity pointed out, Pope John Paul II stated, “Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul…” And Jesus himself said in Matthew 6:7, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.”
At no point did I say that I have a low opinion of these prayers. I only think that repetition of them without some sort of meditation as Pope John Paul II said, is body without soul.
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Generic_Man
Guest
I do contemplate when I pray the Rosary- I think about things like how people I say mean things to are human and deserving of respect. I just haven’t contemplated on the mysteries for a while and I wanted to know if that would work.
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Feedmysheep
Guest
This is exactly what you said. You referred to the body of the Rosary (the prayers) as “mindless words” when not accompanied by the soul of the Rosary (the Mysteries).
That’s what got me so defensive- calling the Hail Mary, the Our Father, the Glory Be, etc. “mindless words” is offensive.
If you were referring to something else as “mindless words” than please explain, as it is not clear from your post.
My point is that it is not always possible to contemplate on the Mysteries (such cases are in the previous posts), but this in no way renders recitation of the Rosary as the “vain repetition” Jesus cautioned against (which wasn’t about the repetition of prayers, but rather calling upon a long litany of names of false gods in order to have prayer work).
So yes, I have done my research.
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Melo
Guest
When I first converted, I would pray the Rosary without contemplating the Mysteries. I needed to get the prayers and order of the prayers down and that required ALL my concentration. Since then, I have moved on to the Mysteries and really enjoy it.
I think that contemplating your actions towards others is a good idea too, but perhaps you should do that separately. Prayer the Rosary (in full) is a wonderful for your soul.
There are online Rosary programs that you can use that have pictures and Bible verses to help you stay focused. Try www.virtualrosary.org.
Blessings
I think that contemplating your actions towards others is a good idea too, but perhaps you should do that separately. Prayer the Rosary (in full) is a wonderful for your soul.
There are online Rosary programs that you can use that have pictures and Bible verses to help you stay focused. Try www.virtualrosary.org.
Blessings
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Spirithound
Guest
Yes, that’s fine. Also, even without meditating on anything it’s fine. The mysteries are great, and as one of the first posters indicated, very good for your soul, but they are not required. If your heart is open to the prayer, then they are not empty/mindless words.
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JoeSchmeau
Guest
One definition of “mindless” would be: Giving or showing little attention or care. That’s what I meant. I didn’t say unimportant or useless. Sheesh.
The real question is: what is the primary purpose of the Rosary?
I believe that the primary purpose is for meditation on the great mysteries of our salvation. Others here apparently believe that it is so that we can say 6 Our Father’s, 53 Hail Mary’s, 5 Glory Be’s, etc.
Fortunately for us, we get to decide for ourselves! Thank God for free will!
Pax et Bonum!
†
The real question is: what is the primary purpose of the Rosary?
I believe that the primary purpose is for meditation on the great mysteries of our salvation. Others here apparently believe that it is so that we can say 6 Our Father’s, 53 Hail Mary’s, 5 Glory Be’s, etc.
Fortunately for us, we get to decide for ourselves! Thank God for free will!
Pax et Bonum!
†
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