The Rosary - Page 3

asia53 · #31 Apr 10, '11, 7:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

Thanks for your insight.

So how did you go about learning and praying the Rosary? I've been trying to memorize the prayers before I get started. I know that there are a few other prayers that I have yet to get to, but I've been feeling a slight pull toward the Rosary lately, so I prayed one decade with the First Joyful Mystery.

I started with Mother Angelica and the nuns on EWTN. In my area, it's on twice a day, in the morning, and in the evening. I'd watch the nuns. Here's where I learned how to hold the Rosary, how to untangle the beads, etc. I had a Rosary pamphlet for the Mysteries and the prayers. Eventually, Mother Angelica and the nuns were too slow for me. I'd find myself getting distracted.

Then, I bought a Rosary book. There are several nice ones at any good Catholic book/gift store. My first book cost a $1.95. It's slow progress, several months. Eventually, I noticed I could say the Mysteries, and prayers without the book, sometimes. I'm still working on this.

I belong to a group, Cenacle of Life. We meet each Tuesday night at the Church, and pray two decades of the Rosary to end the Culture of Death. There's something about praying with others. I'm glad I started with Mother Angelica and the nuns.

Then I bought a book by Dr. Edward Sri, "The New Rosary in Scripture". Excellent book! Each Mystery has scriptural reference. Or if you prefer, each Hail Mary in the Mystery has scriptural reference.

God bless you, dje101. Keep asking questions, and keep learning.

pablope · #32 Apr 10, '11, 7:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

I guess one thing I'm having a hard time understanding (and maybe someone can explain this to me) is the purpose of saying a Hail Mary during the rosary while meditating on the mysteries. I have no problem with the Hail Mary, I just found it hard to meditate on Jesus while saying a prayer to Mary.

Just adding on to what others have said....read a verse associated with the mystery, then picture that in your mind...then say the Hail Mary....

I would assume you have seen the Passion of the Christ. It may help you picture the events in the Sorrowful mysteries. Try one of the Sorrowful mysteries...then picture what is happening to Christ as you pray the Hail Mary...offer your struggle to concentrate to Him.

It is hard, and you are not alone. I struggle with it too.

CatholicFireman · #33 Apr 10, '11, 8:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

Thanks,

Does this whole meditating while praying thing just get easier as time goes on?

Hi dje101.

Maybe this site will help you. Each Hail Mary has a meditation to read (10) per decade and a picture to look at:

http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm

Just clisk on the mistery you want to pray.

CatholicFireman · #34 Apr 10, '11, 8:06 pm

This YouTube video explains a website where you can pray the rosary with people fronm all over the world (realtime): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71UWn...&feature=feedu
The site is www.comepraytherosary.org

thirddec · #35 Apr 11, '11, 2:41 am

I always say a little prayer at the start for Christ to give me the grace to say the rosary with good reverence and intent and to keep distraction away.

CatholicFireman · #36 Apr 11, '11, 4:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirddec

I always say a little prayer at the start for Christ to give me the grace to say the rosary with good reverence and intent and to keep distraction away.

You're on your way!

God Bless.

limabeanerson · #37 Apr 11, '11, 5:27 am

I started praying the rosary about 8 months ago. I still struggle with focusing on the mediations sometimes.

I use an iPhone app (iRosary) rather than a physical rosary because its easier for me and it shows me the words of each prayer as I get to it so even if I'm stumbling a little I can just read the words. It also has a picture for each of the mysteries to help me focus on that.

At first I got frusterated when my mind would drift off while praying and I'd either not focus on the mystery or even not really be focusing on the prayers at all (my mind wonders to much

). Then I read something on here which helped. God knows my intentions. I ask God before starting to help keep me focused on what I'm doing but if my mind wonders a little I just pull my self back to the mysteries and prayers. I don't beat myself up about it. I've gotten a little better each time.

I figure sometimes I do very well with it, sometimes I fail miserably but EVERY time I do it God loves it and Satan HATES it so I must be doing something right!

CatholicFireman · #38 Apr 11, '11, 5:36 am

Very good.

I get distracted also at times. I simply move on and get back on track like you do. The important thing is that we recite it.

dje101 · #39 Apr 11, '11, 12:49 pm

Hello everyone,

Another question about the Rosary. The local Catholic Radio has a program of the Rosary 2 or 3 times per day. I often hear them say "the clear blue bead is for...." and they list prayer intentions for different colored beads. Can anyone explain these other beads, what they are for, and how they are generally incorporated into the Rosary? I find it hard to focus on saying the Hail Mary while meditating on the Mystery, let alone another set of beads to pray with. lol

CatholicFireman · #40 Apr 11, '11, 12:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

Hello everyone,

Another question about the Rosary. The local Catholic Radio has a program of the Rosary 2 or 3 times per day. I often hear them say "the clear blue bead is for...." and they list prayer intentions for different colored beads. Can anyone explain these other beads, what they are for, and how they are generally incorporated into the Rosary? I find it hard to focus on saying the Hail Mary while meditating on the Mystery, let alone another set of beads to pray with. lol

Wow. You got me there. I know there are special color coded rosaries for different devotions or chaplets (i.e. for priests in Purgatory) but I don't know about the one your are talking about. Does that local Catholic radio station have a website? Maybe they explain it there or you can contact them and ask.

dje101 · #41 Apr 11, '11, 1:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatholicFireman

Wow. You got me there. I know there are special color coded rosaries for different devotions or chaplets (i.e. for priests in Purgatory) but I don't know about the one your are talking about. Does that local Catholic radio station have a website? Maybe they explain it there or you can contact them and ask.

Yeah, it was on EWTN. I think I've seen these other beads before. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away......when I would never consider being a Catholic, I was at my local Christian books store and saw these packets that contained, I don't know, maybe a dozen beads on a string. They were all different colors, and on the back it had some definitions of what each color was for. They called them "prayer beads". I didn't know what they were, so I moved on. I haven't seen them since, but maybe I'm not looking in the right area.

pablope · #42 Apr 11, '11, 1:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

Hello everyone,

Another question about the Rosary. The local Catholic Radio has a program of the Rosary 2 or 3 times per day. I often hear them say "the clear blue bead is for...." and they list prayer intentions for different colored beads. Can anyone explain these other beads, what they are for, and how they are generally incorporated into the Rosary? I find it hard to focus on saying the Hail Mary while meditating on the Mystery, let alone another set of beads to pray with. lol

I hear that too, it is usually the 1:30pm (pacific) rosary. Those are for special intentions or petitions. The group praying the rosary has probably a multi-colored rosary. So, they would offer a blue bead for this....let us say aborted babies...then the red would be for their mothers...and so forth. You can say intentions too, or pleas for help....before you start the rosary...for example...you can say "I am praying and dedicating this rosary for....(state your intention).." or you can have a different intention for each decade.

dje101 · #43 Apr 11, '11, 1:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablope

I hear that too, it is usually the 1:30pm (pacific) rosary. Those are for special intentions or petitions. The group praying the rosary has probably a multi-colored rosary. So, they would offer a blue bead for this....let us say aborted babies...then the red would be for their mothers...and so forth. You can say intentions too, or pleas for help....before you start the rosary...for example...you can say "I am praying and dedicating this rosary for....(state your intention).." or you can have a different intention for each decade.

So then when you state your intentions, either for the whole rosary or for each decade, do you still meditate on the mysteries?

pablope · #44 Apr 11, '11, 1:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dje101

So then when you state your intentions, either for the whole rosary or for each decade, do you still meditate on the mysteries?

I would say yes. But do not put too much worry in it. I have a hard time too, so do many others. It is part of our daily struggle to conform to Christ, it is part of the cross we bear everyday. In due time, as you progress and learn more, and with God's help, you will be able to do it.

My suggestion is your first intention, ask for help in your concentration as you pray and meditate the rosary.

God bless....

dje101 · #45 Apr 12, '11, 11:20 am

I'm beginning to see how the rosary is a valuable spiritual devotion.

I found the 15 promises that Mary told regarding those who say the Rosary, and I was a little put off. I mean, some of them sound like they are a bit out of her league.

For instance:

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

Why are we "serving" her? Don't we only serve God? And how is Mary able to give grace?

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

Once again, the graces.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.

Is this because of devotion to Mary that souls will not perish?

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.

How is that one will not die without the Sacraments of the Church if they have a true devotion to the Rosary?

9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

Does this mean that they get a "get out of jail free" card because they prayed the rosary, no matter the venial sins they committed?

These are the promises that I have a bit of concern for, not a problem with, but just a confusion. They seem to state that she is kind of taking the place of God by giving out mercy and such. Can anyone please clarify these things for me?