Get a few books about Mary to help you with your meditation, that way you’ll have substance for your mind to meditate on.
Books by the saints like Louis Marie de Montfort, St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori about Mary contain much help for meditation.
I particularly like those which focus on the dolors of Mary.
Paperbacks are best, but some of these are available online at
Saints’ Books for free, so you can see what material they have.
It is important to try to keep focused and not distracted. That is a key part of the spiritual battle. Fixate, block out the distractions, and try only to let your mind jump to that which is related to the meditation.
Before each mystery, be certain to announce it and prepare it in your mind before beginning the Hail Maries. They are your anchor. I find, considering what Mary would think about each mystery in her heart, a good way to continue, and empathizing with her. Each Hail Mary is the Annunciation… the spark that began all this… Which had been so much prophesied…
Mary knew a great deal about what would occur to her Son… through the true understanding of the prophecies of the Old Testament she was led to and her community had understood . . . and she meditated and understood more and more as time went on. . holding Him always in her heart the more and and more. .
Mary is pure as the new snow. . . Her mind is like this. It is a beautiful mind. . and a beautiful heart. Her love is untainted by attachment to anything, and wholey for God.
We can also think about our own lives and relate these events to the mysteries. The more we are like Christ in our lives the more we can accomplish this, thinking about how in small ways there is a spark like the mystery.
I am very poor at saying the rosary, it is difficult for me – though it is the best prayer there is besides the Mass. I recommend it greatly, and daily at least.
I sometimes lose track of the Hail Maries too.
‘During mental prayer, it is well, at times, to imagine that many insults and injuries are being heaped upon us, that misfortunes have befallen us, and then strive to train our heart to bear and forgive these things patiently, in imitation of our Saviour. This is the way to acquire a strong spirit.’
St. Philip Neri
‘Let us remember the devil labors hard to disturb us at the time of recollection in order to make us abandon it. Let him then who omits mental prayer on account of distractions be persuaded that he gives delight to the devil.’
St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
‘Ever since Blessed Alan de la Roche re-established this devotion the voice of the people, which is the voice of God, called it the Rosary. The word Rosary means “Crown of Roses” that is to say that every time people say the Rosary devoutly they place a crown of one hundred and fifty-three red roses and sixteen white roses upon the heads of Jesus and Mary. Being heavenly flowers these roses will never fade or lose their exquisite beauty.’
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
