Rosary

[JW55]

I was curious as to what the methods were that other might be using to say the Rosary. I personally prefer before each decade to read the scriptural reference or a short notation about the particular mystery and then say the prayers while concentrating on the words of the prayers themselves, as opposed to thinking about the mystery during the Hail Marys. This is the way I have typically done it for some time now. I have tried to think about the life of Christ or the content of the mystery while saying the individual prayers, but have found this too frustrating and distracting to me. It just seems to agitate me in what should be a relaxing amd soothing prayer. I’m not very good at dong or thinking two things at once.

I became concerned if I was praying the Rosary appropriately. From my readings in regard to the Rosary in books or on the internet, most give considerable information about the history of the Rosary and guidelines concerning the prayers of the Rosary and their order, but little in regard to the process itself. Some do say that we are to “contemplate the mysteries of the life of Christ” as we say the Rosary, but no further detail than this. One comment I did run across said that: “not contemplating the mysteries on only saying the words was not fulfilling the intent of the prayer” and as I paraphrased this “more or less a futile exercise” .

From others I have talked to there seem to be at least three approaches.

1- Just saying the prayers with no particular emphasis on the mysteries.(My initial
approach)
2- Reading a short passage about the mysteries prior to each decade and then saying
the prayer while concentrating on the words of the prayer. (What I typically do now), or
3- Saying ther prayers while contemplating the life of Christ throught the specific
mysteries.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Rosarys developed from using different ways to help count prayers. Franciscans will knot their rope belts and use that to count.

The history of the Rosary goes back as far as the 9th or 8th century.

Today their are many forms of prayer that are used with a rosary such as the Divine Mercy and Saint Joseph.

Prayers is a personal thing and I do not know that there is a wrong way to pray or for that matter pray with a rosary.

 

[redrosetea]

I was curious as to what the methods were that other might be using to say the Rosary. I personally prefer before each decade to read the scriptural reference or a short notation about the particular mystery and then say the prayers while concentrating on the words of the prayers themselves, as opposed to thinking about the mystery during the Hail Marys. This is the way I have typically done it for some time now. I have tried to think about the life of Christ or the content of the mystery while saying the individual prayers, but have found this too frustrating and distracting to me. It just seems to agitate me in what should be a relaxing amd soothing prayer. I’m not very good at dong or thinking two things at once.

I became concerned if I was praying the Rosary appropriately. From my readings in regard to the Rosary in books or on the internet, most give considerable information about the history of the Rosary and guidelines concerning the prayers of the Rosary and their order, but little in regard to the process itself. Some do say that we are to “contemplate the mysteries of the life of Christ” as we say the Rosary, but no further detail than this. One comment I did run across said that: “not contemplating the mysteries on only saying the words was not fulfilling the intent of the prayer” and as I paraphrased this “more or less a futile exercise” .

From others I have talked to there seem to be at least three approaches.

1- Just saying the prayers with no particular emphasis on the mysteries.(My initial
approach)
2- Reading a short passage about the mysteries prior to each decade and then saying
the prayer while concentrating on the words of the prayer. (What I typically do now), or
3- Saying ther prayers while contemplating the life of Christ throught the specific
mysteries.

It is a meditation ,and I think we are supposed to at least think about the mysteries when we say it…It is the life of Christ through the eyes of Our Lady so Mother Angelica states

 

[Cat]

When I pray the Rosary, I count on the Blessed Mother to pray for me, as I am asking her to do.

I agree that it’s hard to think two thought patterns at once. I wonder if this is part of being a human in the 21st century? Perhaps in the past, when life was slower and less full of distractions, people were able to do this better.

I pretty much do the same thing as the OP–State the mystery and read a passage of Scripture, or contemplate a mental (or print) picture of the mystery, then pray the Hail Marys.

 

[ibkc]

1- Just saying the prayers with no particular emphasis on the mysteries.(My initial
approach)
2- Reading a short passage about the mysteries prior to each decade and then saying
the prayer while concentrating on the words of the prayer. (What I typically do now), or
3- Saying ther prayers while contemplating the life of Christ throught the specific
mysteries.

When I was learning the rosary prayers, #1 was how I did it, and it was more out of necessity.

Now that I am more comfortable with remembering the prayers, #3 is how I do it.

#3 can be difficult for someone not used to meditative prayer, but with practice and concentration, everyone can get there. #2 is a good intermediate step: either read a short passage about the Mystery of that decade, or stop for a moment and think about what the Mystery is about, before proceeding. The more you do this, the easier it should become to be able to keep the meaning of the Mystery in mind while reciting the prayers.

In any kind of meditative prayer, it is important to not get too hung up on whether you are doing it right or wrong. If you do, you run the risk of making yourself the focus instead of the prayer, and that’s probably worst thing that can happen. Just try to keep God as the front-and-center focus, and eventually the prayers and meditations will gel in your psyche and will come to seem natural and easy.

 

[JohnPaul64]

I’ve been saying the Rosary daily for a few weeks now and have joined in on group rosaries after and before mass. I’ve noticed at the two chuches I attend they each say the basic rosary the same but the one church they add in a prayer at the end of each decade after the prayer of Fatima that goes
“Oh my God I trust in you, I believe in you, I adore you and I love you and I beg pardon for those who do not believe, adore, trust and love you”. ( may not be exact but very close)

Then at the end of the rosary after Hail holy Queen They say a series of prayers I’ve never heard of. Anyone know what way of saying the rosary could be???

 

[JW55]

P

I’ve been saying the Rosary daily for a few weeks now and have joined in on group rosaries after and before mass. I’ve noticed at the two chuches I attend they each say the basic rosary the same but the one church they add in a prayer at the end of each decade after the prayer of Fatima that goes
“Oh my God I trust in you, I believe in you, I adore you and I love you and I beg pardon for those who do not believe, adore, trust and love you”. ( may not be exact but very close)

Then at the end of the rosary after Hail holy Queen They say a series of prayers I’ve never heard of. Anyone know what way of saying the rosary could be???

Some add the Memorare and The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end.

 

[JohnPaul64]

P

Some add the Memorare and The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end.

Yes those are the prayers. Thank you. They said these prayers and omitted the usual last prayer that goes:

O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life death and resurrection ect…

I didn’t know these prayers and I just listened to what they were saying. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[Leopard]

When I pray the rosary alone I usually insert an appropriate Scripture verse after the name “Jesus” in each Hail Mary, as an aid to keeping my mind on the Mystery being prayed. Like this:

First Joyful Mystery:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. *Let it be done unto me according to your word.

• (Luke 1:38b)

Holy Mary, Mother of God…

This keeps my mind on the story of the Annunciation and also helps me personally to reflect and affirm that I should share Mary’s obedient attitude toward God. Other verses I typically use are:

Second Joyful Mystery: How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luke 1:43)

Third Joyful Mystery: Glory to God in the highest (Luke 2:14a) or We have come to do Him homage (Matthew 2:2b)

Fourth Joyful Mystery: my eyes have seen Your salvation (Luke 2:30)

Fifth Joyful Mystery: I must be about My Father’s business (Luke 2:49b)

First Luminous Mystery: This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17b)

Second Luminous Mystery: Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5b)

Third Luminous Mystery: the Kingdom of God is among you (Luke 17:21b)

Fourth Luminous Mystery: This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him (Mark 9:7b)

Fifth Luminous Mystery: This is My Body… This is My Blood… Do this in remembrance of Me (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

First Sorrowful Mystery: not my will, but Yours be done (Luke 22:42b)

Second Sorrowful Mystery: by His stripes we were healed (Isaiah 53:5b)

Third Sorrowful Mystery: Behold, the Man! (John 19:5b)

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: take up your cross daily and follow Me (Luke 9:23b)

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Father, forgive them, they know not what they do (Luke 23:34a) or any of the last words of Jesus

First Glorious Mystery: He is Risen! (Matthew 28:6a, Mark 16:6b & Luke 24:6a)

Second Glorious Mystery: He will return just as you have seen him going into Heaven (Acts 1:11b)

Third Glorious Mystery: He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11b) or Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful (Veni Sancte Spiritus)

Fourth Glorious Mystery: Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! (Song of Songs 2:10b)

Fifth Glorious Mystery: A great sign appeared in Heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Revelarion 12:1) or The queen stands at Your right hand, arrayed in gold. (Psalm 45:10b)

(I do not say the chapter/verse references in parenthesis)

Sometimes I use other suitable passages, if there are others that I have been thinking about at the time that fit with one of the Mysteries. I try to pick a verse that summarizes the general theme of the Mystery or one that expresses some way that that Mystery can apply to my life.

I generally do not follow this practice when praying the Rosary in a group, because while this does help me to pray without distraction, it can be a distraction to others who are not familiar with this.