Rosary - The right reasons?

[love4christ911]

Hello,

I am not Catholic - but I have been called to Christ. I often find myself wondering and being distracted in prayer. When I was little I used to hold my little cross key-chain when I prayed.It made prayer more tactile. I often find myself drawing a blank in prayer. I can’t concentrate! Do you think buying a rosary will help me concentrate on my prayers to Christ?

Another thing, I am a bit shy about my faith. My parents are Christian, but I’m too shy to have a rosary delivered to my house. I am afraid they’ll get the wrong idea and accuse me of idolatry or something worse. Where could I obtain one near me?

Thank you kind folks.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

It is okay to use a rosary prayerfully like you said, to hold while you think of Christ. However, if you are not Catholic, you may be happier with something else like just a cross or a crucifix to hold.

If there is a religious gift shop near you, you could find a small inexpensive rosary or a cross designed for holding. They often sell small smooth wood Tau crosses designed to be held in this way - they feel nice to the touch.

Somc Catholic churches also have cheap rosaries to give away for free near the main entrance to the church.

 

[DebCWil]

Several years ago I read a Time article about how Protestants were picking up the rosary that many Catholics were putting down.
Yes, definitely pray the rosary. It is not just for Catholics. It developed during the Middle Ages before the Reformation.
One of the best ways of praying the rosary is to follow the recommendation of Pope John Paul II. Read a short scriptural passage at the beginning of each decade. There are several books, brochures, and flyers available that have these passages.
As Tis_Bearself mentioned, there are a few Catholic churches that have cheap rosaries sitting in baskets on a small table of the vestibule. They also have flyers for beginners on how to pray the rosary which often have Biblical passages to help with the meditations.
Once your parents learn that you are praying the rosary, they may be more accepting if they also discover that you are reflecting on the Gospel passages as you pray.
Praying the rosary means meditating on the Life of Christ. It is more than the recitation of prayers that do come directly from Scripture. See the story of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth.

 

[oldgraymare2]

If you have a Catholic book store near you in your area, you can get a Rosary there.

 

[sudy]

When I first started praying the Rosary, I struggled with concentration for a while, too. I found that looking at images for each mystery and reading the scriptural texts, or listening to audio of the rosary while looking at images, helped to focus my mind more… it was easier to avoid the distractions because I was filling more of my senses. I no longer need those tools but they were great to begin with.

Youtube is a great resource for Rosary audio, but there are many others online, too. As Deb said, the Rosary is about meditating on the life of Christ, more than the actual prayer recitation.

There will almost certainly be a religious shop in a nearby town to you… it’s just a matter of finding it. There are many very plain rosary beads that you could use where you couldn’t be accused of idolatry. There are even rosary rings… if you want something really discreet.

Edit: typo

 

[DebCWil]

When I went back to college, I would see students praying the rosary. It can be wrapped discreetly around the hand in such a way that few people are aware the rosary is even being prayed.
I have actually been stopped while walking, asked a question, and returned to praying the rosary. As a beginner, I don’t expect that you will be able to do that. As you begin, you will be more comfortable in a quiet room with few distractions.
My college campus had a meditation room, available for students of any religion. Later they actually built a large meditation center.
I currently live in a single room studio apartment. The first thing I set up was my prayer corner. It is where I pray my rosary, as well as my other daily devotions.

The simple flyers or brochures that you will find in the vestibule of many Catholic churches can be tucked in the front of your Bible. I have currently tucked in front of my RSV Bible, the one that I carry with me, a copy of “Praying the Rosary with St. Josemaria Escriva.” I think I received the small booklet for free through the mail.
The last time I saw my youngest brother, I slipped the wooden rosary bracelet that I was wearing off my wrist onto his. I had bought the bracelet while on retreat at the Trappist monastery in Conyers, GA. A rosary bracelet is a simple single decade rosary with a cross or crucifix. Being made of wood the cross was flat. There were no clasps to worry about, making it easy to wear without anything dangling; nothing to get caught.