Should we pray the rosary before Mass?

[Cecelia78]

The associate pastor (new 30-year-old just out of the seminary) has instituted saying the rosary before Sunday Mass. He leads it on a microphone 25-30 minutes prior to the start of Mass. I don’t like it and don’t feel like this is the proper time for it, but can’t find any resources as to what should be going on during the time leading up to Mass.

Does anyone know where this practice may have come from or if it is appropriate? I like to pray before Mass and find the rosary distracting because I am trying to center myself on the upcoming Eucharistic celebration. Any guidance?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Any guidance?

Tread carefully. This priest means well and is doing something that many people may like and consider to be a helpful way to prepare for Mass. What you should focus on is not the rosary itself, but on the difficulty for parishioners in having quiet time to pray in their own way in preparation for Mass.

Rather than ask that this custom be dropped entirely, you might ask the priest if the last ten to fifteen minutes before Mass begins can be set aside for “personal meditation.” It will mean beginning the public rosary earlier so that it can end earlier, but you might point out that those praying the rosary can have time to reflect on the mysteries just prayed, and those who come in after the rosary ends and before the Mass begins can concentrate on their own personal devotions.