Praying the Rosary: the Mechanics
Posted by Sarah Reinhard in Faith on Monday, October 04, 2010 12:00 PM
I started trying to pray the rosary sitting on my bed at night. I would juggle the beads and the prayer book, stumbling through the unfamiliar prayers and wondering how I would ever be able to call the fumbling I was doing successful. Was THIS what prayer was supposed to be? I felt like I was multi-tasking in the very worst way, and my connection to God seemed non-existent.
I was committed, though. I was SURE that THIS was the prayer I needed to pray. I was bolstered, in part, by my future mother-in-law’s devotion, and convinced also by a critical intention that loomed in front of me.
I thought I had more success with the rosary when I used a rosary tape in my car. During my commute to and from grad school, I prayed for that special intention, and I cried, and I prayed.
My point is to encourage you. Nearly ten years ago, I couldn’t pray the rosary. I was trying, and I felt like I was failing.
Now, I struggle with it every single day. Yes, I said struggle. Yes, I said daily. No, that doesn’t make me holy; it makes me just as human as you.
As a person who has difficulty walking and chewing gum at the same time, the mysteries are the hurdle I face again and again. How do you meditate on the mystery while praying the other prayers?
The short answer: sometimes you don’t.
Other times, though, you’ll find your mind staying busy with the words and your imagination wandering. This is where the mystery comes in: use the mystery to guide your imagination. Just as when you’re good at something with your hands—like knitting—you can take your eyes away and have a conversation, when you’re comfortable with the rosary, you can let a part of yourself “wander” a bit, right into Jesus’ life.
Don’t expect a flash. Don’t look for a sign. And don’t give up. You’re embarking on a journey, not a trip. This isn’t a one-time deal; this is a lifetime adventure.
Praying the rosary isn’t so different from parenthood. Some days, it’s glowing and life changing and inspirational. Other days, you wonder why you bother.
Whether you have given up on the rosary or never tried it, today we’re going to revisit the mechanics. I also invite you, in the comments, to share YOUR tips for praying the rosary as we kick off our week of rosary blogging here at Faith & Family Live.
HOW YOU BEGIN:
- At the beginning, make the Sign of the Cross.
- The Apostles Creed. (And if, like everyone I’ve ever talked to about it, you get it botched up in your memory with the Nicene Creed, don’t sweat it. I was leading a rosary at our parish a week ago (quite by accident) and I had to restart the Apostles Creed after my mother-in-law found it in her purse and I realized how badly I had it going. No one laughed. In fact, at least two people came up to me afterward and said they can never keep it straight.)
- Pray the Our Father
- Pray 3 Hail Marys, for the virtues of faith, hope, and love
- Pray the Glory Be and, possibly, the Fatima Prayer (some people leave this off of the beginning sequence)
PRAYING THE MYSTERIES:
- You can pray the mysteries for the day of the week, or you can pray the set of mysteries that speak to you. Last week, I caught myself praying the wrong set of mysteries one day, and I realized that I was reflecting on them better than I had been. Maybe it wasn’t an accident that I “goofed”!
- Announce the first mystery. (Announcing, by the way, is a fancy way of saying “Say it.” You don’t have to do it out loud, either; you can use that interior voice of yours if you’re praying silently.)
- Pray the Our Father.
- Pray 10 Hail Marys.
- Pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
- Repeat for the next four mysteries in that set of mysteries.
AT THE END:
- Pray the Hail Holy Queen.
- Optional: Pray an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the Pope’s intentions.
What are your rosary-praying tips? What works for you (or DOESN’T work for you)? What’s your biggest hurdle?
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