Why is praying the Rosary important?

[Mystical_Seeker]

Many do find that the Rosary is an important part of their lives.

I think it should be remembered, though, that the Church does not say it is compulsory to say it.

It is a personal devotion, and we are not bound to believe in such things as Fifteen Promises.

Thank you. I personally have no interest in saying it alone. I do when with others who are saying it. I asked my pastor whether that was a problem and he said no. It is a private devotion and is optional, and I don’t need to feel like something is wrong because I don’t do it.

And if Fifteen Promises is connected with an apparition, then that, too. Once I admitted in a meeting of Catholics that I didn’t like saying the Rosary and this woman got all bug-eyed. I could see the whites of her eyes all the way around while she said to me incredulously, “but Our Lady TOLD us to say it.” Later I realized she was talking about an apparition, for which Church “approval” does not require us to believe in it – but to her it was as valid and binding as Mary saying “do what He tells you.” (If we did that, we would avoid repititious prayers, right? )

Thanks to all of you for your inspiring testimonies.
I have for a very long time, known about the power of the Rosary prayers. And yet, I am reluctant to do it. My mind wanders, I have trouble thinking of things to meditate upon.
Also the repetition of the prrayers can become monotonous.

What I did was mention this once to a retired missionary priest relative. He answered me, if you dont like praying the Rosay, all the more merit you will receive for praying it.

I suspect attitude would factor in here. Like if I pray it thinking, “O Lord I hope You like my suffering through this prayer for You” chances are it’s not going to get any merit badges from God. Or if I’m in a group and trying to look like Yes I Do This Every Day to the others all the while pitying them and/or being thankful I don’t do this all the time like they do, chances are I’m on an ego trip that is worse than if I had done nothing.

I’ve had these attitudes, partly reinforced by a couple incidents like I mentioned earlier. So I talked to my pastor about it and that allowed me to be honest with myself and not put put on airs and pretenses, while not feeling excluded. And if I’m in a group saying a Rosary, it’s not really a struggle any more because I’m at peace with them. I don’t even care whether I have a Rosary to count, because now instead of calculating the percentage complete at every bead, I relax into it without guilt, shame, or feeling of being isolated from others.

I’m distracted while I’m mowing lawns, but I still mow them…

Hee hee… hey there is a great book on Catholic prayer, used as text for intro to prayer at least at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary a couple years ago, that has good advice on dealing with distractions. Written by a Jesuit, it covers all types of prayer including contemplative prayer which the CCC says is a form of Christian prayer that brings us into actual union with the prayer of Jesus. But it is rarely mentioned from a pulpit or even in Catholic schools (and I’m guessing RCIA) so it is one of those “best kept secrets” of the Church, which can help lead us to the treasure of the knowledge of the things of the kingdom.

He specifically gives suggestions on doing Rosaries (in addition to those referenced by others) and dealing with distractions. Spoiler: they happen, and they do not ruin the prayer.

Armchair Mystic: Easing Into Contemplative Prayer Paperback – April 1, 2001
by Mark E. Thibodeaux S.J. (Author)
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