I’ve been reading about the Rosary and I am thinking about starting to recite it.
Does anyone have any tips for a beginner? I am finding it quite difficult to remember the mysteries and I think this will be even harder when I pray it. Is there a book of pictures that I can use to help? Does anyone read the appropriate bible verses before praying a decade etc?
Also, how long does it take you to pray the Rosary? And what time of day do you think it’s best to be prayed?
Thanks.
First off, this is a great post for newcomers to the wonderful gift of the Rosary!
I myself, came back to the Church after being in the wilderness (lets just say im glad I’m only 20 and have my life ahead of me, so I count myself blessed that I didnt waste anymore time!) and have been trying to teach myself the Rosary through the aid of a booklet from my Church, (which has pictures for each mystery, and below it, a short gospel passage, others have mentioned suchlike) and through praying it as often as possible, until it stuck!
I feel it is a great way to make my prayer life flourish, as I have always struggled to pray every day, aside from when I’m in mass. I struggle to concentrate but the Rosary makes it so, so, much easier.
My church has daily midday mass, so I get there early and say that day’s set of mysteries in about half an hour, maybe a bit less actually now I’ve got the hang. It took me a while to memorise the days and which set of mysteries corresponds, but I’m there now

now I’m familiar with the way it works, I can follow it really easily.
You’ll be surprised how soon you’ll get the hang of it. It’s almost like someone wants you to get it that easily…oh wait
When I pray each mystery, upon announcing it, I try to picture the scene from the Gospel, in its context, aswell as contemplate its deeper meaning in the Church, and then see it through the eyes of Mary, contemplating her feelings, (more Specifically in the Joyful mysteries and the latter Sorrowful, the carrying of the cross, the death of Our Lord).
Through the ten hail Marys, I maintain the image/action of the current mystery, and contemplate its deeper meaning and the role it plays in the teaching of Our Lord. It’s easier than you think when you get the hang of it, and a great encouragement to pray regularly! Just remember it’s a personal devotion, so however you feel is right, is how you should pray it, everyone has their own routine
Sorry my posts so long,(they always are, I’m surprised if anyone reads them, or finds them helpful

) and sorry its very much a personal post, but I thought it’d help to hear from someone who was a Rosary beginner not too long ago.
Good luck and God Bless!
Matt