Rosary adivce

[coolduude]

Hi all,

Well I have begun praying the Rosary I started by following the Mysteries, but I stopped using them after I learned that when the Rosary was first presented, it had no Mysteries. I still pray, just not by the Mysteries.

Anyway I’m in a dilemma. I love to pray it, but I find that when I’m saying it my mind wanders to things off topic (not always bad things, but just off the topic of Mary or my intentions). Also, I pray late at night and I often find myself dozing Of course as soon as I catch myself I refocus on the Rosary, but I always feel bad (as if I’m neglecting Mary and putting myself first).

Now what should I do? I pray late because I am really busy during the day and have no other time.

Any advice?

If details are needed, ask.

coolduude

 

[Della]

Hi all,

Well I have begun praying the Rosary I started by following the Mysteries, but I stopped using them after I learned that when the Rosary was first presented, it had no Mysteries. I still pray, just not by the Mysteries.

Anyway I’m in a dilemma. I love to pray it, but I find that when I’m saying it my mind wanders to things off topic (not always bad things, but just off the topic of Mary or my intentions). Also, I pray late at night and I often find myself dozing Of course as soon as I catch myself I refocus on the Rosary, but I always feel bad (as if I’m neglecting Mary and putting myself first).

Now what should I do? I pray late because I am really busy during the day and have no other time.

Any advice?

If details are needed, ask.

coolduude

First of all, don’t beat yourself up over this. The Rosary is supposed to be an aid to your spiritual growth not a barrier or something to obsess over.

Also, don’t give up using the mysteries/scriptural verses, etc. only because they weren’t first used. Devotions develop over time and change. They are not doctrines/dogmas that cannot be changed.

And it’s all right to fall asleep saying the Rosary. If it helps calm you and brings you peace, so much the better. St. Therese the Little Flower fell asleep saying the Daily Office and felt badly about it until she reminded herself that God is our loving Father who loves us just as much when we are sleeping in his arms as when we are awake.

Let the Rosary benefit your life. Don’t make it an obstacle to your faith by putting restrictions on it or yourself that aren’t necessary.

 

[aspirant]

I started by following the Mysteries, but I stopped using them after I learned that when the Rosary was first presented, it had no Mysteries. I still pray, just not by the Mysteries.

Both are acceptable methods of praying the Rosary. You should not feel that you must do it only one way or the other.

I love to pray it, but I find that when I’m saying it my mind wanders to things off topic (not always bad things, but just off the topic of Mary or my intentions).

Recollection and concentration are difficult for most people, with almost any kind of prayer. That is normal. But you can gradually acquire them, by God’s grace, through practice and perseverance. I have found few books as helpful as Romano Guardini’s The Art of Praying in treating this topic. And it’s right in the very first chapter.

Time spent trying to attain recollection and concentration in preparation for prayer is already prayer, so even if you spent the whole time allotted for prayer doing this it would be a worthwhile exercise!

When it comes to praying without employing the imagination, without meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, for example, most spiritual writers recommend starting quite small. The traditional practice of the Jesus Prayer involves no imagery, and most of the saints and writers I’ve read recommend that beginners try short prayers frequently repeated before attempting long periods of time in prayer.

Of course as soon as I catch myself I refocus on the Rosary, but I always feel bad

Don’t spend more prayer time feeling bad, for this is just another distraction. Simply recognize that you’re distracted, put the distraction aside, and return to your prayer.

I pray late because I am really busy during the day and have no other time.

Make time for shorter prayers throughout the day. I think you will find more time than you previously thought you had.