should even non-Catholics pray the rosary?

[Joseph_L_Varga]

That is w hat the Rosary does… enables you to know Jesus intimately…

Yes, quite interesting. I am relatively new to the Rosary, and I was deeply surprised by the insights it gave me on Jesus and on God’s plan for the salvation of humanity, and frankly the awesome glorious and happy ending that awaits His Church.

A few years ago I read that Pope John Paul II said, he used to pray the Rosary before making difficult decisions. Since my superficial impression was that the Rosary is some kind of boring chore, a rote that doesn’t engage you, I had a hard time making sense of the Pope’s words. Man, how mistaken I was!

 

[LilyM]

Hope I’m not speaking out of turn since I’m not yet Catholic, but…
Debate with the priest when you’re in confession…?
Why on earth would that be a good idea, and what valid reason would you give to say you don’t want to pray the rosary? What are you there for?
I think enlightening theological discussions would best take place elsewhere.
I’m not against open dialogue even on such seemingly rudimentary gifts as the rosary, but pulling a stunt like this while receiving the Sacrament would seem disrespectful.
Am I wrong? Is this common at all?

I don’t mean in a disrespectful sense at all, nor in the sense of disagreeing for trivial reasons or just for the heck of it. Or having a knock-down dragout disagreement with him over something. That’s not to say you’re not permitted to go beyond ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘three bags full’ either.

To discuss such things with your priest, in or out of the confessional, is not a stunt. Many do go to the confessional for spiritual advice as well as absolution, it is actually meant to be part of the sacrament where possible. So I don’t see it as being at all wrong or inappropriate to do so unless there’s a long queue behind you and your objections or questions are lengthy.

Remember the priest is only acting as alter Christus in regards pronouncing the absolution - his advice in the confessional isn’t infallible, nor is the penance imposed. Otherwise we couldn’t question it even if he were to command the outright impossible as a penance, or tell us that, say, murder was OK (and some priests will make statements in the confessional that are almost as implausible).

I have in mind something like 'Father, could I perhaps do abc (for example, reading a Bible passage relevant to your particular sins or something) instead of saying the Rosary, I really feel I would get more benefit out of the Bible reading". And seeing what his response is.

I mean to say that it’s OK to engage in a well-thought-out discussion of alternatives, I wouldn’t suggest just an ‘I don’t wanna do your penance because I don’t wanna’.

Of course it’s not common at all, because bad advice or penances that people are uncomfortable with are also not common. I’ve never objected to a penance myself for that reason, but that doesn’t mean one can’t.

I did once have a priest who, without even knowing me or hearing what my sins were, objected to the fact that it had been (in his view) too short a time since my previous confession. I would maintain there’s nothing wrong in pointing out in response to such an attitude that Mother Teresa and John Paul II both went to confession more than once a week!

 

[burritobrother]

Ok, glad you clarified that. It confused me no end. Thanks.

 

[burritobrother]

…To add to my last post as I couldn’t edit it, I’m probably a bit nervous about the Church, I’m in awe of it no doubt - so I misunderstood the point you had made. I am trying to get all my manners as concise as possible to avoid making a bad impression. That’s normal I suppose, and while reading through this extensive site I’ve noticed a small amount of trolling, So I was likely irritated by some of that when I read the post about rosary and confession. I shouldn’t have used the word ‘stunt’, I apologize for that. A bad choice of words.

 

[JonNC]

Except that Luther himself, if memory serves, prayed the Rosary, exactly as Catholics do.

Of course, LilyM, there was a time when he did, but certainly by the time of the Augsburg Confessions, his use of intercessory prayer had ended, though not his love and respect for the Blessed Virgin and the saints.

Augsburg Confession

Article XXI: Of the Worship of the Saints.

1] Of the Worship of Saints they teach that the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good works, according to our calling, as the Emperor may follow the example of David in making war to drive away the Turk from his country. 2] For both are kings. But the Scripture teaches not the invocation of saints or to ask help of saints, since it sets before us the one Christ as the Mediator, Propitiation, High Priest, and Intercessor. 3] He is to be prayed to, and has promised that He will hear our prayer; and this worship He approves above all, to wit, that in all afflictions He be called upon, 1 John 2:1: 4] If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, etc.

Funny that he didn’t have problems with intercessory prayer yet you guys do.

As for this member of the “you guys”, my problem has much more to do with contemplating the long history of the use of intercessory prayer by untold millions of Christians, both east and west, and how many have gained comfort from it. But that makes me different than most other “you guys”, I admit.

Jon

 

[Departed_Light]

that’s almost like saying that Jesus’ physical death on the cross was a “thing”… as if there is no meaning behind it…

the physical rosary was NOT what i was talking about…

but you’re excused because you are not Catholic and don’t u/stand…

i doubt you have pryaed the rosary?? you say its about following Christ… The rosary was got me to doing that…

uh… not the physical rosary… but the meaning behind the prayers…

I have prayed the rosary often. I like it a lot. I also like the Divine Mercy Chaplet; great meditative prayers. I highly recommend the devotions to any and all Christians seeking to deepen their meditative prayer life. My wife’s grandmother on her passing left us her brushed silver rosary that was blessed by Pope John Paul II. We have it in our living room and we cherish it greatly.

You don’t know me. I mean you no harm.

 

[distracted]

I

No, Catholicism had nothing to do with it.

Catholicism or lack thereof has to do with everything, to spek of. i mean, if one person in a marriage is Cath and the other not… they are 2* different people* so if they break up… it can indirectly be the result of that difference… But then you are not (yet) as Ctholic as i am… meaning i was baptized as baby… been Catholic all my life…more so in the last several yrs… daily Mass as often as posible, etc… i was also outside the Church for many years… lost and getting loster… then i found a rosary and it savd my life… made a Christian, objectively speakig. then i got catechized, learned history of Church, etc…

what i am saying is tht to be this kind of Catholic is totaly different than NOT being Catholic… so if 2 people w/ different these religons have problems in their relationship, this difference no doubt enters the picture… it wouild be like an earthling marryig a martian…

hope this doesn’t sound snotty… just stating truth… nothign to be uppity about since “What do you hav that you have not been given?” (bible somewhere)

and also of note is the fact that some non-C i have met are more Catholci than many Cathoilcs i have known. strange…

i don’t u/stand “liberal Catholis”… no such thing but you know waht i mean…

 

[burritobrother]

Catholicism or lack thereof has to do with everything, to spek of. i mean, if one person in a marriage is Cath and the other not… they are 2* different people* so if they break up… it can indirectly be the result of that difference…

Very true, a good observation!
We had a few heated religious discussions. Even if they weren’t directly the cause for the relationship failing, they did signify some basic problems.

 

[burritobrother]

I just finished praying the entire Rosary, all four Mysteries.
Any Catholic who doesn’t pray this is missing something truly wonderful.
It is a beautiful experience.

 

[distracted]

.

I just finished praying the entire Rosary, all four Mysteries.
Any Catholic who doesn’t pray this is missing something truly wonderful.
It is a beautiful experience.

I couldn’t agree more. The rosary is what made me a Christian (in a very powerful and tangible way, that is) It also did other things for me… it is awesome… We should all be doing what we can to promote it…

 

[crazzeto]

i don’t do them all all the time but sometimes when i have a block of free time, i do… haven’t done it in awhile but will probalby start up again soon… the world needs it… i need it…

i have just been very distracted lately… very long story…

I hear you, I’m lucky that i"m able to get 5 in in a day. When I do it’s usually on my lunch break, or at the very last second before going to bed. And then I usually have to limit my self to one mystery, which feels lame but it’s better than not praying before going to bed.

 

[crazzeto]

I just finished praying the entire Rosary, all four Mysteries.
Any Catholic who doesn’t pray this is missing something truly wonderful.
It is a beautiful experience.

I don’t want to get overly technical or anything, but there are actually 4 Chaplet’s, 5 decades in each Chaplet, each decade is one mystery. There are 20 mysteries in the rosary

 

[burritobrother]

I don’t want to get overly technical or anything, but there are actually 4 Chaplet’s, 5 decades in each Chaplet, each decade is one mystery. There are 20 mysteries in the rosary

That is correct, thank you for pointing that out to me. I was meaning the Chaplets, Sorrowful, Luminous, Glorious and Joyful but worded it wrong. Now I won’t make that mistake in RCIA.

 

[burritobrother]

I couldn’t agree more. The rosary is what made me a Christian (in a very powerful and tangible way, that is) It also did other things for me… it is awesome… We should all be doing what we can to promote it…

In the very slim chance that you hadn’t found this, the Rosary Confraternity is interesting. I was aware of it but just today was inspired to join it. I think you (and many others) will like this as well.

 

[workingman]

Thank you all to gave me more info on my struggles. That I gave earlier in this thread. I have prayed, read, and flat out asked God what kind of relationship he want’s me to have with his Mother. I got quite the kick in the rear.

For the first time in a while I picked up my Rosary and prayed it. It was quite nice and my seven year old son prayed it with me also. It was great. What a spiritual experience. Thank you all.