The Rosary

[Mike_O]

I have been asked by non-Catholics why the Rosary is a part of Catholic prayer in light of Christ’s injunction not to speak “vain repetitions” (I apologize as I do not have the Gospel verse with me).

I know the history of the Rosary as derived from monastic connections with the Psalter and the recitation of 150 Our Fathers.

I wonder how I might answer the assertion that the Rosary is a form of “vain repetition” ?

Thank you for your help and God bless you.

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

The Gospel verse you are referring to is: "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matt. 6:7)

To pray the rosary is not to “heap up empty phrases” (vain repetition) but rather to meditate on the lives of Jesus and Mary – the joyful, sorrowful, glorious, and luminous mysteries. For more on this see our tract The Rosary.