Rosary "Etiquette"

[SaintRita]

I used to do it when driving, but I almost feel like it’s a cheap way out. You have nothing better to do when you’re driving so you pray a Rosary. I feel like it’s more meaningful if you take some of your free time and do it. It’s just getting into that habit isn’t all too easy. Doing it before going to bed is difficult because you get tired late at night. The Rosary is pretty comforting and relaxing .

Oh see - I do enjoy the rosary in my car, not “instead of” but “in addition to”. Its a great way to keep the kids quiet too.

 

[HillbillyHermit]

I didn’t have time to read all of the other replies, so pardon me if this has already been mentioned. Ironically just last night I watched a YouTube of Archbishop Fulton Sheen on The Rosary. And he talked about this exact thing. In fact he encouraged us to do whatever we could to get in a decade at a time all throughout the day so that at the end of the day, we could complete all 15 decades. He encourages carrying it, walking the streets with it, praying in line, using bumps on the car steering wheel if you forgot your Rosary etc. It was a great program - if you have the time it’s worth a listen.

youtube.com/watch?v=dl4Fr9HjK7Y&feature=player_detailpage

Thank you for this link! It was a great thing to listen to.

 

[hsmomforlife]

I don’t believe you should adore Mary.

I think you may have misunderstood John78…being ‘in Adoration’ usually means in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament not in adoration of Mary. Catholic’s don’t adore Mary, Adoration is for God alone. Veneration/honoring is appropriate for anyone who is a good role model, especially one who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus.

Sorry, I couldn’t get the ‘quote’ thing to actually work…

Originally Posted by john78
I would say I have become very confused on praying the Rosary in that growing up as a child, I was taught one decade was the completion of the Rosary, now since I have been on CAF I am finding out that 3 decades is the original intent or way to pray the Rosary, so I tried that one time in adoration, I did not find it to be very hard, and I broke it up an took a break in between for contemplation , personal prayer etc,… so figure it takes me 20 minutes to do one decade, an an hour for entire 3 decades.

 

[hsmomforlife]

Its an individual choice, as I prefer the direct relationship with Christ. But I can see your point of view in needing a mediator. There is no right or wrong answer. As I prefer the Lord’ prayer. Thanks.

I used to sort of think the way you do, but then I educated myself about the True Devotion to Mary…

I didn’t say need…and I agree with ccmcmg:

I’m getting the feeling, however, that you are on this thread, enjoying poking and agitating people. If that is not your intent, my apologies, but that is how it is coming across.

Sorry to the OP for the foray…I’m off this thread.

 

[johndaniel]

Hey I think you got it! My reference was too someone else who said they adored Mary. Glad to see your diligence and being cautious

Oh, okay. I understand what you mean then. I’m glad you know that we don’t adore the Blessed Virgin, we venerate her, and what that difference means. A lot of people have confusion over that, but you apparently don’t have that problem.

 

[Topaz1128]

I also get distracted when I pray the Rosary in my car while commuting. However, I always seem to bring myself back into contemplation. The Rosary is a way to get close to God. I’m sure He and the Blessed Virgin Mary are smiling at my efforts!

 

[felsguy]

The several posts above which mention saying the Rosary while driving have given me an idea. The next time I’m stuck behind someone driving very slowly and/or erratically, I’ll think to myself “they must be praying” instead of what I usually think…and if I can’t take it any longer, I’ll stick my head out my window and holler “pull over if you want to meditate”…instead of what I usually holler.

 

[ccmcmg]

The several posts above which mention saying the Rosary while driving have given me an idea. The next time I’m stuck behind someone driving very slowly and/or erratically, I’ll think to myself “they must be praying” instead of what I usually think…and if I can’t take it any longer, I’ll stick my head out my window and holler “pull over if you want to meditate”…instead of what I usually holler.

It might be easier if you just THANK the people who are driving correctly (speed limit/between the lines); I drive MUCH better when praying the Rosary.

Now when I’m listening to Seether or Journey…it’s a different story! LOL

Christina

 

[AndreM73]

I’ve always found that praying the Rosary aloud in an empty house is very helpful for me, mainly because I meditate a little when I state the Mystery, and saying it aloud helps form a bit of a more pious and eloquent meditation. I’d say whatever inspires you to true reverence for this devotion is the best method for you, and you’ll recognize it by it’s not being over-the-top and not too inconspicuous. I hope that helps, Pax Christi!

 

[Lizandro]

This has been my challenge with the Rosary: I can’t seem to memorize the Apostle’s Creed correctly (probably because I get mixed upwith the Nicene Creed at Mass). Is it okay to just say “I believe in the Apostles’ Creed” (rather than recite the whole thing)?

 

[ccmcmg]

This has been my challenge with the Rosary: I can’t seem to memorize the Apostle’s Creed correctly (probably because I get mixed upwith the Nicene Creed at Mass). Is it okay to just say “I believe in the Apostles’ Creed” (rather than recite the whole thing)?

I understand what you’re saying! I usually get it right, and I’m pretty sure that while we should strive to make our prayer perfect, if we have the intention to say it right, that is fine, IMO. Don’t let that stop you. It’s also okay to use ‘notes’ until you perfect it.

 

[Lizandro]

I understand what you’re saying! I usually get it right, and I’m pretty sure that while we should strive to make our prayer perfect, if we have the intention to say it right, that is fine, IMO. Don’t let that stop you. It’s also okay to use ‘notes’ until you perfect it.

You know, why didn’t I think of that? I use a cheat sheet for the mysteries. Thanks!

 

[marytk]

I like to pray the rosary while walking I do get it broken up at times.

As far as falling asleep I have heard what a big no no this is but sometimes I think of it being on the lap of my mother and feeling safe and yep sometimes I fall asleep. Mary is the Queen of Heaven but if I can Call God the Father Abba-daddy I can call Mary, Mom or mama
I don’t plan on falling asleep but sometimes when I can’t sleep I try to pray

 

[SaintRita]

You know, why didn’t I think of that? I use a cheat sheet for the mysteries. Thanks!

I’d be lost without my cheat sheet! Also, a good audio recording of the rosary is worth its weight in gold!

 

[Otche_Nash]

I used to sort of think the way you do, but then I educated myself about the True Devotion to Mary…

I am reading that exact book, by St. Louis De Montfort. Wonderful instruction!

 

[landon13]

I like to pray the rosary while walking I do get it broken up at times.

As far as falling asleep I have heard what a big no no this is but sometimes I think of it being on the lap of my mother and feeling safe and yep sometimes I fall asleep. Mary is the Queen of Heaven but if I can Call God the Father Abba-daddy I can call Mary, Mom or mama
I don’t plan on falling asleep but sometimes when I can’t sleep I try to pray

I agree with you there about the comfort of knowing you fall asleep praying the rosary. I think it is a great thing. Now, though, I try and pray the rosary during the day while I am coherent enough to pray it. Then at night I will try another rosary until I fall asleep.

I recommend not falling asleep praying with your favorite rosary beads or else they will get all tangled and even lost in the desolate wasteland of under the bed. At night I will only use those twine knotted rosaries or the ones that have wood beads on them. No metal linked together rosaries for late at night especially not my large set that I use.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Why is it a big no no? It is not a big no no. It is completely alright to fall asleep praying the rosary. In fact it is encouraged. At my old parish, the priest who had been there for many years told us that when you fall asleep praying the rosary, your angel finishes it for you.

 

[landon13]

Why is it a big no no? It is not a big no no. It is completely alright to fall asleep praying the rosary. In fact it is encouraged. At my old parish, the priest who had been there for many years told us that when you fall asleep praying the rosary, your angel finishes it for you.

Some people see it as a big no no because some people would assume it is like ignoring the BVM in prayer by falling asleep. I find it a good thing but not so if you are using it as your daily rosary and don’t get through at least 70% of the rosary.

 

[Leon_Bloy]

Pray the rosary as often as you can! There is certainly nothing wrong with what you described, OP.

Venerable Fr. Alfred Pampalon, CSsR actually recommended that one pray the rosary while going to sleep. He said that if perhaps one should die in one’s sleep, what better way to go out than in the middle of praying the rosary?

 

[Jimmygill]

Pray it however it works for you. It is a private devotion in any case.

As to saying it in bed and falling asleep, there is an old saying that the Virgin finishes it for us when we fall asleep.

Don’t let this worry yourself at all.

What a lovely thought. If we are talking ‘old school’ quite often years ago at school we just used to say one decade. So I really don’t think it’s quantity it quality. Maybe it’s better to break the prayer down over the working week and meditate more thoroughly on the mysteries than to just ‘say’ your prayers. Who can say what’s the ‘best’ way for you. You are praying. That’s got to be the main point