Rosary- Non-Catholic

[Bspencer]

Not sure what to make of this- and its probably easily explainable.

A very close Catholic friend is otherwise happily married to a Non-Catholic. One could state that she is almost anti-Catholic. She is faithful to her Lutheran religion, and one would consider her a good christian woman. Have been married about 25 years.

Her husband has attempted to convince her to become catholic since before they were married, and for the past several months has prayed the rosary daily for her to open her heart to that possibility.

He called me this morning. Said that last night, as he got into bed, he remembered that he hadnt prayed the rosary yet. His wife was already in bed and was asleep.

He decided that while he was praying, he would place his hand on wife’s shoulder.

He relayed that he was unable to pray the rosary with his hand on her shoulder. Said that the words were garbled, he would lose his place, and almost “drift off” as he was praying. He was unable to complete it.

He (fearfully) wondered if there was any religious relevance to it.

He says that he was not sleepy as he was praying- didnt feel like he was falling asleep when saying rosary.

he is mentally competent.

this is the first story that he has ever told me that is- for lack of a better word- weird.

what does Forum Nation think?

Just a sleepy guy trying to pray in bed, or something else?

How would you explain it?

 

[JerryZ]

It is quite obvious that the event made an impact on your friend, I would venture that he is scared by it.
Does he have a spiritual director or perhaps a priest that he can approach and discuss this with them.
I will add a prayer for him.

…

 

[Bspencer]

thanks.
I’m not sure if he has someone close to talk to besides me.
and you are correct he is shaken up about this.
his logical mind tells him that he was probably just having a hard time praying and staying awake, but his fear is that since his wife is ‘anti-catholic’, the connection of touching her shoulder while trying to pray the rosary somehow prevented him from doing it- kind of like a spiritual message ‘she doesn’t merit this prayer in this way’

 

[HelenRose]

It could also mean that his desire for his wife to become a Catholic is much greater than even he had thought and touching her while praying brought these emotions to the surface.

 

[Casilda]

He was sleepy. I have drifted off to sleep many times while praying the rosary. You can and should pray for intentions for anyone by way of the rosary. A Catholic prayed for my own, once anti-Catholic, husband’s heart and mind to soften. My husband is a Catholic apologist now.

 

[Crusaderbear]

You aren’t always aware how sleepy you are…I’ve drifted off several time saying the rosary at night. i’ve even reawakened and jumped right back into it without thinking! The clock told me otherwise!

I have noticed if I don’t hold the rosary with both hands (my normal method) I’ll start garbling the prayers. Putting yor hand on anothers shoulder, probably thinking it might help soften her demeanor towards Catholicism, while simultaneously afraid she’ll wake up and wonder what you are up to doesn’t exactly lead to a meditative state of mind.

This may not be the case, if so I apologize in advance. But trying to use subterfuge to convert someone cannot end well. I’ve been married to a Episcopalian for 34 years - my marriage is much stronger than many all Catholic ones. We are in our 60’s and recently she began asking me about things like the rosary. if she chooses conversion, it will be her choice, if not, i still love her more than any other living human being.