Catholics that do not pray the Rosary

[the phoenix]

I could give a huge witness in favor of the Rosary.
And there have been many good posts already in this thread on the goodness of the Rosary.

That said,
how does God want you to pray?

There have been plenty of alternatives presented to you.

Another way to pray that I haven't seen mentioned
(or else I missed it, in which case I apologize) ...
have you ever considered visiting Our Eucharistic Lord Jesus
in a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel
or the Hidden Jesus in a tabernacle?

[Miriam1947]

Originally Posted by the phoenix

I could give a huge witness in favor of the Rosary.
And there have been many good posts already in this thread on the goodness of the Rosary.

That said,
how does God want you to pray?

There have been plenty of alternatives presented to you.

Another way to pray that I haven't seen mentioned
(or else I missed it, in which case I apologize) ...
have you ever considered visiting Our Eucharistic Lord Jesus
in a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel
or the Hidden Jesus in a tabernacle?

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

[12seekpeace]

I can't remember where I read this but someone referred the 20 mysteries of the rosary to a concise summary of the Catholic faith. It basically sums up all the important events in salvation history and explains why we believe what we believe. I think it's very true.

In the past I found the rosary a very difficult type of prayer to fully concentrate on as my mind would wander before I reached the 3rd Hail Mary in each decade. However I later learnt that it's not so much about concentrating on each Hail Mary than it is to reflect on the mystery of the particular decade. The repetitive words of the Hail Marys are actually not only meant to honor Our Lady but also to keep our mind focussed on the mystery.

So now what I do is I read rosary reflections as I pray so that I immerse myself fully in the mysteries rather than just chanting the words. Sharing the 2 websites I use below. Hope some of you find them useful!

1) Bead by bead reflections (http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm)

2) Reflections written from the perspective of Our Lady (http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/p5.html)

[Peter57]

The first time I tried to pray the Rosary was in lent 1996 and was not tolerable to me at that time but it was a promise to God to pray it for a certain situation in my life which was achieved and I prayed it the 40 days of lent .The prayer was very difficult for me.

But since 2003, I am praying the Rosary daily till now with the meditations for every day and I like this prayer very much, it gives me peace and I feel that with praying with the Virgin Mary to God and the meditations, that I spent a beautiful time in heaven.

May be the first time when I prayed this prayer I was not understanding how to pray it.

I know many friends who have the same experience of mine of not tolerating the Rosary prayer at first than the prayer became their favorite prayer, may be due to ignorance to the proper way of praying it.

[InLight247]

When I try to evangelize my precious Catholic faith but people reject it, I feel sorry for them. What blessings they have missed! If only they could keep open minds and explore, they are bound to discover the abundant treasures in Catholic faith. When people refuse to pray the Rosary, I have the similar feeling. No, not only Catholics get into heaven, but they have missed out a lot. No, not all Catholics have to pray the Rosary, but they have missed out a lot. Yet it is always a personal choice.

[AlanFromWichita]

My 25 year old son was just elected interim Grand Knight of the KOC chapter at last month's meeting. This was with the support of long time friends of the outgoing long time power person -- the last release of power from the "double D" regime -- and the guy who quit set it up to happen and groomed Matt for the job. (If you knew my parish politics you'd know what I meant.)

Anyway tomorrow night he officiates at the meeting for the first time. Keep in mind that at least half the chapter (about 50 show up for the meeting I'd guess) is at least twice as old as him, some three times. For as long as I know, it's been 6:30 meal and 7:00 meeting.

Matt has made his first change to the order of things. Starting tomorrow, for the first time at our chapter, there will be a Rosary at 6:00 before the meal.



Alan

[TimothyH]

I wonder why we struggle through fasting, resist temptation, and generally heed Paul in his exhortation to endure, run the race, persevere, etc, but some don't apply that same ethos to the Rosary.

Do what is comfortable they say. If that were the case with the rest of our religion, we would sit in front of the TV with potatoe chips.

Why not persevere through the Rosary?

Fasting, tithing, other forms of prayer, getting up early for daily Mass and going to confession are all uncomfortable, even burdensom in the beginning but we persevere through because like exercise, we know it is for our own good.

I just wonder what it is about the Rosary that makes some say, "Oh, it's not important. Just do something else if it makes you uncomfortable." while the universal Church nowhere says anything other than that it is good for your soul.


-Tim-

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by InLight247

When I try to evangelize my precious Catholic faith but people reject it, I feel sorry for them. What blessings they have missed! If only they could keep open minds and explore, they are bound to discover the abundant treasures in Catholic faith. When people refuse to pray the Rosary, I have the similar feeling. No, not only Catholics get into heaven, but they have missed out a lot. No, not all Catholics have to pray the Rosary, but they have missed out a lot. Yet it is always a personal choice.

I certainly understand this, but I will just say that there are many many personal devotions available and each is very beautiful in it's own way. A Drive by the ocean and a Drive through the mountains and a drive through fall colors are each beautiful but each different.

Peace
James

[InLight247]

Originally Posted by JRKH

I certainly understand this, but I will just say that there are many many personal devotions available and each is very beautiful in it's own way. A Drive by the ocean and a Drive through the mountains and a drive through fall colors are each beautiful but each different.

Peace
James

I agree. There are different beauties in the world, each is refreshing, there are different devotions in our faith, each is inspiring and uplifting. However, from my personal point of view, Rosary is one of the most "complete" ones. Rosary contains: Creed, the Lord's prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Fatima prayer, Hail Holy Queen, along with 20 mysteries of Bible passages. It can be used as petition, intercession, meditation, recollection, and contemplation.

Here is what I posted in another thread that explains my view of Rosary:

Rosary is usually perceived as a form of vocal prayer. It should be a form of affective prayer. If we just recite the repetitive words, we may not reach such an effect. But Rosary is not meant to be just repetitive. I pray all four mysteries everyday. It helps me walk through Jesus’ whole life from incarnation to resurrection, everyday. This journey itself is a good recollection. When I am praying and meditating, I have the people I am interceding in my mind. My prayer draws both myself and my loved ones into a deeper intimacy with Christ. Rosary is also a good way of practicing the presence of God. It can certainly lead to contemplation.

St. Teresa of Avila mentioned once that an old nun complained that she could not contemplate but only pray the rosary. After talking to her, Teresa found that old nun was actually in deep contemplation without realizing it.

Peace and Happy New Year!

[AlanFromWichita]

Originally Posted by TimothyH

I wonder why we struggle through fasting, resist temptation, and generally heed Paul in his exhortation to endure, run the race, persevere, etc, but some don't apply that same ethos to the Rosary.

Some go beyond what is required. Saying the Rosary is not required by or even mentioned directly or indirectly in the Precepts of the Church.

Some who go beyond what is required say the Rosary. Some go to Adoration. Some go to daily Mass and weekly confession. Others go to retreats and seminars. It's a glass half full/empty situation. Instead of saying, "why are you rejecting the Rosary," say, "I'm saying a Rosary. If you have a chance and want a break from vacuuming the carpet, feel free to join me," and leave it at that.

Do what is comfortable they say. If that were the case with the rest of our religion, we would sit in front of the TV with potatoe chips.

Why not persevere through the Rosary?

No reason why not. But this question really isn't fair. I could equally say, "I persevere through contemplative prayer, through pledged service to the Church, I love to counsel people with serious problems (used to be telephone volunteer for the Youth Crisis hotline) and do other spiritual acts of mercy using all means available including Internet. Plus I have played music for 8 am Mass for the last 20+ years. Why aren't you persevering through doing those things? (Or are you? )

Fasting, tithing, other forms of prayer, getting up early for daily Mass and going to confession are all uncomfortable, even burdensom in the beginning but we persevere through because like exercise, we know it is for our own good.

I just wonder what it is about the Rosary that makes some say, "Oh, it's not important. Just do something else if it makes you uncomfortable." while the universal Church nowhere says anything other than that it is good for your soul.

There are scores of things we can spend millions of lifetimes doing that are good for our soul, in addition to the Rosary. It is not required, so the Church defers to free will on the issue. That's as simply as I can look at it. Some people do and some don't do any particular thing on the list -- the Rosary included. That's just the way it is. We are all driven to slightly different ministries because we are different members of the one Body. We all share the sacraments, as required by the Precepts of the Church.

Alan

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by InLight247

I agree. There are different beauties in the world, each is refreshing, there are different devotions in our faith, each is inspiring and uplifting. However, from my personal point of view, Rosary is one of the most "complete" ones. Rosary contains: Creed, the Lord's prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Fatima prayer, Hail Holy Queen, along with 20 mysteries of Bible passages. It can be used as petition, intercession, meditation, recollection, and contemplation.

Indeed. All that you say is true.

Peace
James