Where have the rosaries gone?

[signit]

Some parishes do have the rosary prayed in the church but they just don’t publicize it. I know several parishes in my area where the rosary is said before the Mass every day.

In my parish there isn’t a formal Rosary mentioned in either the bulletin or the announcements at the end of Mass, but as you say there could be one that isn’t publicized. We currently have “October devotions” one night a week.

I’m comfortable with praying the Rosary with EWTN at night. EWTN radio is carried on a station in our area, and I feel as though I’m praying along with other Catholics in my town.

 

[AttendeDomine]

While my own parish does pray the Rosary before or after most Masses, I can sympathize with the thrust of the OP’s question.

IMO, a lot of folks don’t pray the Rosary because they see it as being difficult to pray, or they might see the Rosary as just being something older ladies are into, and as something completely optional that is no better or worse than any other devotion.

There’s also a phenomenon which I believe exists, but which I would be more than willing to reevaluate: the notion of simplifying a lot of traditional Marian teachings and devotions so as to make them more palatable for those who might have a problem with them. On the other hand, perhaps many of the more passionate and robust approaches to spirituality have been softened over the decades.

 

[phil19034]

While my own parish does pray the Rosary before or after most Masses, I can sympathize with the thrust of the OP’s question.

IMO, a lot of folks don’t pray the Rosary because they see it as being difficult to pray, or they might see the Rosary as just being something older ladies are into, and as something completely optional that is no better or worse than any other devotion.

There’s also a phenomenon which I believe exists, but which I would be more than willing to reevaluate: the notion of simplifying a lot of traditional Marian teachings and devotions so as to make them more palatable for those who might have a problem with them. On the other hand, perhaps many of the more passionate and robust approaches to spirituality have been softened over the decades.

The real problem was that in the 1950s and 1960s, the heresy of Americanism lead many priests and bishops to stop supporting and pushing Marian devotions and Marian organizations (like Legion of Mary) because Marian devotion wasn’t “American enough.”

The American priest, bishops, sisters & laity with this “Americanism” point of view wanted the Catholic Church to be part of mainstream America and to stop being a sub-culture.

These same priests, bishops, etc also stopped supporting other Catholic cultural activities too, like Catholic bowling leagues, professional Catholic clubs and organizations, etc.

By the time Vatican II came along and promoted an enhanced role for the Laity, the organizations and types of roles Vatican II had in mind for the laity were already disassembled or being disassembled in America, thanks to Americanism.

A good book on this is: American Church: The Remarkable Rise, Meteoric Fall, and Uncertain Future of Catholicism in America by the Ignatius Press - amzn.to/1LyVUUS

 

[TK421]

If you can get a group of people together, it probably wouldn’t be hard to get a Rosary started 20 minutes before Mass on Saturday/Sundays. You just get a small cluster up front and it naturally builds from there. A lot elderly in particular will probably join in once it gets rolling.

I think before Mass is the most devious time to do it: you’re starting a pious devotion before Mass and you’re strongly discouraging loud chattering in the sanctuary before Mass without having to ever utter a single word to anybody.

 

[DAML72]

At my parish, the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet is said after the weekday Mass. I have also happened upon groups praying the Rosary when I just stop in in the evening. Have you checked the bulletins for other times? If there is a day devoted to adoration, I’d bet there is a group that prays the Rosary either after the morning Mass or prior to Benediction. Give the church secretary a call and ask.

 

[DAML72]

This brings back a special memory. I was in a parish where a group of ladies said the rosary every day after Mass. They would come together in a few pews after Mass – and that process gave time for those who stayed after Mass for their own private thanksgiving to finish in peace – and then the ladies would start and anyone was welcomed to pray with them.

That’s nice, and very considerate. I wish the ladies in my church would offer some time for quiet reflection, but they just jump right in. It’s kind of frustrating. They used to just pray after Mass just on Mondays - now it seems to be every day, so if you want private time with the Lord, I guess you need to get there before Mass or wait until prayer time is over.

 

[Jennifoo]

Hello. Not sure why you’re assuming that Catholics have abandoned the rosary. The rosary is a private devotion that can be prayed in groups or individually. My parish prays the rosary before the 4 pm Saturday evening Mass and the 9 am Sunday Mass every week. A lot of people join in. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. We’re blessed to have 2 women who lead the rosary at a nice pace- not too fast or too slow.

There are many reasons why praying the rosary individually can also be good. It’s opened me up to the lesser known rosaries and chaplets, such as the Franciscan Crown and the Scriptural Rosary. I’m not sure that I would have heard of these otherwise. I also enjoy rotating different rosary meditation books for variety, which isn’t really feasible when one prays the rosary in a group. I also like to take a walk at a local park and pray the rosary there.

Hope this helps. May God bless you in your desire to grow in prayer, especially the rosary.