Praying the rosary can be considered a daily “pause for prayer”. Yet, praying it is not always easy, and our praying the rosary is in constant need of renewal in order to keep it from becoming dry and performed out of routine and losing its spiritual fruitfulness.
Perhaps a look at Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter on the Rosary can help us to renew our efforts to pray this beautiful prayer better. Rosarium Virginis Marie was written in October 2002. In it the Holy Father added the new Luminous Mysteries to the rosary and presented a catechesis on this devotion.
The Pope tells us that when praying the rosary it is good to announce each mystery. A biblical passage that is related to the mystery should be read to help meditate and to supply the biblical foundation to this prayer. Long or short biblical passages can be used before each decade. Making use of an icon or picture of the mystery also aids in focusing on the particular mystery.
After the biblical passage is read a short period of silence should be included to nourish listening and meditation on the Word. A pause in order to focus on the mystery is quite appropriate before moving on to the vocal prayers. This way while praying the rosary we are listening to the Word, focusing on the mystery and lifting our minds up toward the Father as we say, “Our Father…”.
The “Hail Mary’s” should be recited with great love and affection for our Blessed Mother. It should be noted that this prayer with its two parts hinge on the name of Jesus. Each time we say the “Hail Mary” we are praising His name and telling our Blessed Mother how much we love her.
The “Gloria” should be given prominence in our hearts. This prayer in praise of the Trinity is the high point of contemplation.
The Holy Father suggests in his apostolic letter that at the conclusion of each mystery a personal prayer be included for the fruits specific to that particular mystery. For example, after praying and meditating on the First Joyful Mystery we can add a personal prayer for the virtue of humility or for openness to God’s will.
The rosary is a beautiful meditation on the Gospels and a path to contemplation. With renewed efforts to praying it well and a commitment to praying it daily, especially as a family, we can grow closer in our union with God.
The rosary is a spiritual aid that shouldn’t be underestimated.
The Holy Father’s Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Marie.
Q4U:Do you have a particular way in which you pray the rosary? A certain prayer or prayers you add? A specific meditation?
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by Fr Jacques Philippe.
Thanks for this post. I try to pray the rosary every (doesn’t always happen). Most of the time I include personal intentions at the beginning of each decade but I’ve always been a little confused about what kind of prayers to include. I should tie them to the particular mystery like he suggests (although it’s difficult because I always seem to have particular intentions when I start).
Just curious, what prayer does everyone say at the beginning? I used to say the Apostles’ Creed but now I say a short prayer for God’s help.
I say the Apostles Creed. At the end of each rosary, after the Hail Holy Queen and “O God Whose only Begotten Son…” we say the St Michael Prayer for our priests and Bishop. We close with, “May the Divine assistance remain always with us and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.” And then we make the cross on our forehead and say “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
St. Edmund had special devotion to the Name of Jesus, which Our Lord Himself taught him.
One day when he was in the country and separated from his companions, a beautiful child stood by him and asked, “Edmund, do you not know me?” Edmund answered that he did not. Then replied the child, “Look at me and you will see who I am.” Edmund looked as he was bidden and saw written on the Child’s forehead, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” “Know now who I am,” said the Child. “Every night make the Sign of the Cross and say these words: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.’ If you do so, this prayer will deliver you and all who say it from sudden and unprovided-for deaths.”
Edmund faithfully did as Our Lord told him. The devil once tried to prevent him and held his hands so that he could not make the holy sign. Edmund invoked the Name of Jesus, and the devil fled in terror, leaving him unmolested in the future.
Many people practice this easy devotion and so save themselves from unhappy deaths. Others, with their forefinger, imprint with holy water on their foreheads the four letters, “I.N.R.I.,” to signify Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judaeorum, the words written by Pilate for the Cross of Our Lord.
St. Alphonsus earnestly recommends both these devotions.
What beautiful reflections, Rebecca. It can sometimes become challenging to keep the Rosary “fresh” and not routine. I look forward to reading Rosarium Virginis Marie. Thank you for sharing!
Rebecca…honestly, the Rosary is one of the hardest prayers for me to follow through with. BUT it is invaluable. My husband has recently encouraged me to pray all four Rosaries in a day. I looked at him like he was crazy but I tried it. I have a memory decade I keep clipped to my pants. When you move a bead, it stays there so if you are interrupted, you know where you left off. Instead of idly daydreaming, or just sitting waiting for my daughter to finish a worksheet, I automatically go to the rosary. God has given me the grace to persevere with this. Sometimes I am able to pray all four and other days maybe one…even a decade is better than not praying it all!
I actually pray the rosary best when I am driving. It gives me focus and helps with my impatience of driving in the city LOL!
Are you able to see the 7:30 am Holy Land Rosary on EWTN? It is so beautiful and much easier to follow. I have struggled saying it alone for over a decade now. I have renewed my resolve….again.:)
Michelle…I do not have cable but I have seen that program before. Thanks for the recommendation. Bless you…