Sorry, another rosary question

[Andruschak]

I was under the impression that one was required to recite the 5 decades of the rosary at one sitting. But I came across this page…

theholyrosary.org/

…which says that it is OK to seperate the decades. This would be a big help for me, trying to pray in the company of three active cats. Comments

 

[water]

I sometimes pray half of the rosary during my lunch break and later at night and finish the rosary. I prefer to finish the whole rosary at one sitting though.

 

[thistle]

I was under the impression that one was required to recite the 5 decades of the rosary at one sitting. But I came across this page…

theholyrosary.org/

…which says that it is OK to seperate the decades. This would be a big help for me, trying to pray in the company of three active cats. Comments

You are not required to pray the Rosary at all. Its a private devotion. Those who pray the Rosary may pray from one Hail Mary up to all 20 decades in one sitting or spread the Rosary throughout the day. In other words there is no fixed requirement.

 

[Victorious]

I was under the impression that one was required to recite the 5 decades of the rosary at one sitting. But I came across this page…

theholyrosary.org/

…which says that it is OK to seperate the decades. This would be a big help for me, trying to pray in the company of three active cats. Comments

Somebody can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think praying the five decades all in one sitting is what’s necessary to gaining the indulgence.

The more you pray all five decades at once, the easier it becomes to do. :tiphat: to anybody who can pray all 20 decades all at once, every day. I once did that for the last nine days of a 54-day novena, and it was really, really tough.

 

[jmm08]

Andruschak, we don’t have a heavy burden, so please stop looking for one. Be honest with yourself and be honest with God.

Legalistically, yes, I think it is required to pray the chaplet (5 decades) without interruption if you are trying to earn a plenary indulgency. But you and I aren’t doing that yet anyway, since we are not yet confirmed Catholics receiving sacraments. But you and I are both trying to earn at least partial indulgences for Holy Souls in Purgatory. And this pleases our Mother Mary very much. I think from her perspective, it is much like you and I are trying in small ways to comfort her Son Jesus. Because from her perspective those she sees in torment in purgatory look so much like Jesus.

Frankly, I think you should be yourself and pray the Rosary with humility and charity. And if a cat needs attention, be a good steward of what God has placed in your life – which is a tricky thing for me to say in order to leave it up to you to decide what to do.

I paused between decades to answer this. I’m not yet perfect in my praying the Rosary. I am too easily distracted myself as well. But I think Jesus and Mary understand where I’m at.

 

[CatholicSam]

For a plenary indulgence, doesn’t the Rosary have to be recited in a group (of 2 or more) or in a church building? I seem to remember hearing that a while back.

 

[kage_ar]

Last evening, we had youth group. We gathered the teens (similar to a herd of cats), went down to the chapel and prayed a Rosary. With a scripture for each mystery, short reflection on each, and “optional” prayers (Fatima prayer) - it took 20 minutes to pray the Joyful mysteries. While one could meditate for a long time on each mystery, the Rosary can be well prayed in a short period of time.

 

[jmm08]

For a plenary indulgence, doesn’t the Rosary have to be recited in a group (of 2 or more) or in a church building? I seem to remember hearing that a while back.

There are multiple ways to theoretically obtain a plenary indulgence,

And there are multiple ways to theoretically obtain a plenary indulgence where the Rosary is somehow involved.

Praying the Rosary privately (but not stopping between decades).
Praying the Rosary publicly in a group.
Join the Confraternity of the Rosary and there are even yet more ways.
Very possibly ways that I have not considered.
For example, perhaps using the Rosary in other prayers.
Or perhaps in holding the Rosary and meditating on Jesus death on the cross.

You are best to refer to an authorized book concerning indulgences or an authorized source of some kind. Other requirements are generally also needed such as going to confession, receiving communion, praying for the intentions of the Pope.

But remember this – earning indulgences are a temporal benefit. Celebrating the Mass has eternal significance and thus it is not given indulgences because the Mass – Jesus body and blood given for us – has far greater value. Sometimes I hold a Rosary in my hand during parts of the Mass (I am only a lay person but I sing the in choir). The Rosary gives me extra comfort. So it is even possible that the Rosary provides you and me with greater benefit than all possible plenary indulgences put together.

The Rosary is indispensible and of great value. Praying the Rosary, holding the Rosary, meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, or using the Rosary beads with other prayers.

 

[blessedstar]

Andruschak, we don’t have a heavy burden, so please stop looking for one. Be honest with yourself and be honest with God.

Legalistically, yes, I think it is required to pray the chaplet (5 decades) without interruption if you are trying to earn a plenary indulgency. But you and I aren’t doing that yet anyway, since we are not yet confirmed Catholics receiving sacraments. But you and I are both trying to earn at least partial indulgences for Holy Souls in Purgatory. And this pleases our Mother Mary very much. I think from her perspective, it is much like you and I are trying in small ways to comfort her Son Jesus. Because from her perspective those she sees in torment in purgatory look so much like Jesus.

Frankly, I think you should be yourself and pray the Rosary with humility and charity. And if a cat needs attention, be a good steward of what God has placed in your life – which is a tricky thing for me to say in order to leave it up to you to decide what to do.

I paused between decades to answer this. I’m not yet perfect in my praying the Rosary. I am too easily distracted myself as well. But I think Jesus and Mary understand where I’m at.

I hope that you have some idea of how beautifully simple, humble and very Catholic your post is.

The Rosary is a way of life, a disposition of heart that does not necessarily mean bead for bead, but is a prayer to be lived in constant contemplation, which by meditating upon these Sacred Mysteries we hope to obtain this most beautiful gift of contemplation which is the Eternal Promise of Christ.

You pray the ‘Rosary’ more perfectly than you think with your life and with your heart.

Jesus must love your heart very much.

 

[CatholicSam]

There are multiple ways to theoretically obtain a plenary indulgence,

And there are multiple ways to theoretically obtain a plenary indulgence where the Rosary is somehow involved.

Praying the Rosary privately (but not stopping between decades).
Praying the Rosary publicly in a group.
Join the Confraternity of the Rosary and there are even yet more ways.
Very possibly ways that I have not considered.
For example, perhaps using the Rosary in other prayers.
Or perhaps in holding the Rosary and meditating on Jesus death on the cross.

You are best to refer to an authorized book concerning indulgences or an authorized source of some kind. Other requirements are generally also needed such as going to confession, receiving communion, praying for the intentions of the Pope.

But remember this – earning indulgences are a temporal benefit. Celebrating the Mass has eternal significance and thus it is not given indulgences because the Mass – Jesus body and blood given for us – has far greater value. Sometimes I hold a Rosary in my hand during parts of the Mass (I am only a lay person but I sing the in choir). The Rosary gives me extra comfort. So it is even possible that the Rosary provides you and me with greater benefit than all possible plenary indulgences put together.

The Rosary is indispensible and of great value. Praying the Rosary, holding the Rosary, meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, or using the Rosary beads with other prayers.

Thank you for that post I belong to the Confraternity of the Rosary… so does that mean I can pray a private, interrupted Rosary and still get a plenary indulgence? I really need to get a book on indulgences! I am totally consecrated to Jesus through Mary (Montfort), so all my indulgences go to Mary for her to use where she sees fit. I do want to give her all the indulgences I can, though.

I know what you mean about finding comfort in just holding the Rosary. I’ve also held it when I felt like fighting with people who made me mad, and it gave me that little boost to hold my tongue

 

[Jaypeeto3]

I find that what works best for me is the “Scriptural Rosary”, wherein you meditate on some verses of Scripture to accompany each mystery. I have come to really LOVE praying the Rosary lately, and I used to be TERRIBLE at it.

 

[kayla]

I too have difficulty finishing all the decades, so I usually break them up.
I have this mental image of your cats batting their paws at the swinging rosary beads …perhaps they are just trying to help you out…may St. Francis (patron St. of animals) bless them

 

[Andruschak]

I too have difficulty finishing all the decades, so I usually break them up.
I have this mental image of your cats batting their paws at the swinging rosary beads …perhaps they are just trying to help you out…may St. Francis (patron St. of animals) bless them

I was born 4 October 1944, and regard St. Francis as my Patron Saint:thumbsup:

I’ve used a squirt bottle to train the cats to leave the dangling, swinging beads alone. Now the biggest distraction is Fluffy climbing into my lap with demands to be petted.

Here we see the advantage of those rosary CDs. One just prays along and lets them do the counting, leaving two hands to gratify the cats.

I hope St. Francis is informing Mother Mary of what is going on

 

[jmm08]

Thank you for that post I belong to the Confraternity of the Rosary… so does that mean I can pray a private, interrupted Rosary and still get a plenary indulgence?

No. If praying in private, the five decades must not be broken by a space of time. However, if there is an interruption I suppose you can just start again where you left off. And afterwards (can be later in the day) pray another five decades uninterrupted. No harm in praying an extra five decades.

See the confraternity web site regarding extra indulgences (to the best of my recollection, anniversary of your enrollment, certain holidays, and pilgrimage(s) where you pray the rosary at multiple alters at certain cathedrals or basilicas. I think some details may be in St. Montfort’s “Secret of the Rosary” and other details may be on the confraternity’s web site. Good idea to put the dates on a calendar so you can be a good steward of these opportunities for Mary.

I don’t know if it counted, but I once tried to do the pilgrimage thing by visiting a Catholic Church that had alters for St. Jude, Our Lady of the Rosary and other alters. It can be exciting to do. I think the less frequent means of trying to obtain a plenary indulgence are going to be interesting and memorable experiences. So go for it. Some people collect beer cans. Why not try to collect all the different ways you can earn an indulgence? Maybe someday you have a great collection of memories.

I really need to get a book on indulgences!

Yes you do. And be sure it is authentic and accurate. Additional indulgences available through confraternities are not likely to be published in a general book intended for a usual readership.

And keep up with the news. I understand that Pope Benedict has issued a statement making a plenary indulgence available on December 8 this year. There are requirements.

 

[mommyof4]

For more information on obtaining indulgences, check out this site:
ourladyswarriors.org/index.html