Some questions about The Rosary

[oremus1]

Me and my friend were talking about the rosary and had some questions;

1) is it better to say one hail mary devoutly, or a whole rosary inattentively in a gabbled way while doing something else/ St therese of Liseux says the first, St louis mortfort says 2nd.

2) is the Rosary obligatory? Most Catholics say it is, but there has never been a formal obligation - why not? if one prefers to say Divine mercy Chaplet or Seven Sorrows rosaryor read scripture instead, is that ok? especially if they were hoping to enter some form of religious or consecrated or even ordained life? many catholics say because Our Lady said we have to sayu the rosary at Fatima, it is obligatory

3) If one finds it hard to meditate on the mysteries and in fact spends half an hour on one mystery only, then does not finish the rosary, is that Ok or should they spend less time on each one in order to complete the whole one.

4) is a whole rosary (all three sets of mysteries) better than one set of mysteries prayed slowly?

5) some people find it hard to medidate on the mysteries and say the words at the same time. Like talking to someone while daydreaming, it is not as attentive to the mystery. Can they meditate on the mysteries  only? Or would this not count

6).what additions or deductions to the rosary are acceptable? Some catholics say the luminous mysteries are not acceptable and are the rosary of Vatican ii. Others add in the jesus prayer or the crucified jesus part to the hail mary. i think a saint made a shortened rosary but i cant remember who it was or what it involved. others add in extra mysteries.

7) . why did Our Lady only give promises to the Rosary and not for example, the divine Office or adoration or reading the bible?

8) why do people pay more attention to the rosary than other chaplets and devotions?

9) how many rosarys a day should you say?

[truthfinder]

TBH, this sounds incredibly scrupulous.  Pray the Rosary in a way which brings you spiritual peace - if you can't find a way that does this, talk to a good priest, and follow his instruction. 

[HopefulHeart]

I agree with truthfinder. In my opinion, the Rosary should be approached not as a formula to be followed exactly but as a prayer that fosters communication with God and meditation on the lives of Jesus and Mary.

[Nunsense]

Me and my friend were talking about the rosary and had some questions;

1) is it better to say one hail mary devoutly, or a whole rosary inattentively in a gabbled way while doing something else/ St therese of Liseux says the first, St louis mortfort says 2nd.

2) is the Rosary obligatory? Most Catholics say it is, but there has never been a formal obligation - why not? if one prefers to say Divine mercy Chaplet or Seven Sorrows rosaryor read scripture instead, is that ok? especially if they were hoping to enter some form of religious or consecrated or even ordained life? many catholics say because Our Lady said we have to sayu the rosary at Fatima, it is obligatory

3) If one finds it hard to meditate on the mysteries and in fact spends half an hour on one mystery only, then does not finish the rosary, is that Ok or should they spend less time on each one in order to complete the whole one.

4) is a whole rosary (all three sets of mysteries) better than one set of mysteries prayed slowly?

5) some people find it hard to medidate on the mysteries and say the words at the same time. Like talking to someone while daydreaming, it is not as attentive to the mystery. Can they meditate on the mysteries  only? Or would this not count

6).what additions or deductions to the rosary are acceptable? Some catholics say the luminous mysteries are not acceptable and are the rosary of Vatican ii. Others add in the jesus prayer or the crucified jesus part to the hail mary. i think a saint made a shortened rosary but i cant remember who it was or what it involved. others add in extra mysteries.

7) . why did Our Lady only give promises to the Rosary and not for example, the divine Office or adoration or reading the bible?

8) why do people pay more attention to the rosary than other chaplets and devotions?

9) how many rosarys a day should you say?

​1) either way can be beneficial. It depends on the state of the mind and soul at the time of prayer. I have found that sometimes I prefer to be slow and focused, but as I mentioned in another thread, there was a time when I was so distressed that the only thing I could do was a mindless repetition of the Rosary through five decades, by which time my mind was still enough for me to actually speak with God one to one. Whatever the need is.

2) The church does not make the Rosary obligatory but some religious communities do, as part of their customs. The Church does not force Catholics to perform private devotions that come from a private revelation - otherwise we would be so busy doing one devotion or another that we couldn't even live our lives. You choose which ones are most beneficial for your prayer life.

3) As it is a personal devotion, it is up to you how long you spend on each mystery or how frequently you pray the Rosary.

4) There is no 'better' in regard to personal prayer. Find what helps you in your spiritual life by trial and error if necessary, but do whatever you do with loving attentiveness and in a way that increases your love for God.

5) The Rosary is a private, personal devotion - once again, discover what works best for your prayer life. But having said that, do try to find some discipline in whatever you decide to do so that you are not constantly changing things simply to avoid being disciplined. Don't always choose the 'easy' way. choose the way that is most beneficial for your prayer life and relationship with God.

6) There is a 'standard' Rosary, and some people have added extra devotions that they feel are helpful. Only you can decide if these extra devotions are helpful or not. I love the Luminous Mysteries because, for me, they complete the life of Jesus. I usually add the Fatima prayer at the end of a decade but when I have been in convents, they did not do so, so it does tend to be habit either to do it or not, after awhile. I also enjoy praying the Rosary in Latin, alternating English for decades. It is personal and up to you.

7) You are asking what Our Lady was thinking. No one knows that except her!  

8) The Rosary has been around longer than most of the other Chaplets but they all have their adherents.

9) 'Should' doesn't enter into it unless you are a member of a religious community and there are set instructions for this. If you find the Rosary beneficial, then do it. I used to do it every day while waiting for my water pump to move the water from the main tank to the holding tank. I would walk up and down the long driveway, reciting out loud, and I knew that by the time I got to the end, the holding tank would be full. A couple of times it actually started overflowing, so I must have been reciting slower than usual!  Set yourself a routine if that helps. Or carry the beads around with you and pray it when you have to wait (like in the line for the DMV!) or on public transport etc. You won't be asking these questions if you develop a love for the Rosary - then it will be 'How can I find more time so that I can pray the Rosary?' Like all prayer, it can be a truly beautiful experience.

 

[marigold]

​1) either way can be beneficial. It depends on the state of the mind and soul at the time of prayer. I have found that sometimes I prefer to be slow and focused, but as I mentioned in another thread, there was a time when I was so distressed that the only thing I could do was a mindless repetition of the Rosary through five decades, by which time my mind was still enough for me to actually speak with God one to one. Whatever the need is.

2) The church does not make the Rosary obligatory but some religious communities do, as part of their customs. The Church does not force Catholics to perform private devotions that come from a private revelation - otherwise we would be so busy doing one devotion or another that we couldn't even live our lives. You choose which ones are most beneficial for your prayer life.

3) As it is a personal devotion, it is up to you how long you spend on each mystery or how frequently you pray the Rosary.

4) There is no 'better' in regard to personal prayer. Find what helps you in your spiritual life by trial and error if necessary, but do whatever you do with loving attentiveness and in a way that increases your love for God.

5) The Rosary is a private, personal devotion - once again, discover what works best for your prayer life. But having said that, do try to find some discipline in whatever you decide to do so that you are not constantly changing things simply to avoid being disciplined. Don't always choose the 'easy' way. choose the way that is most beneficial for your prayer life and relationship with God.

6) There is a 'standard' Rosary, and some people have added extra devotions that they feel are helpful. Only you can decide if these extra devotions are helpful or not. I love the Luminous Mysteries because, for me, they complete the life of Jesus. I usually add the Fatima prayer at the end of a decade but when I have been in convents, they did not do so, so it does tend to be habit either to do it or not, after awhile. I also enjoy praying the Rosary in Latin, alternating English for decades. It is personal and up to you.

7) You are asking what Our Lady was thinking. No one knows that except her!  

8) The Rosary has been around longer than most of the other Chaplets but they all have their adherents.

9) 'Should' doesn't enter into it unless you are a member of a religious community and there are set instructions for this. If you find the Rosary beneficial, then do it. I used to do it every day while waiting for my water pump to move the water from the main tank to the holding tank. I would walk up and down the long driveway, reciting out loud, and I knew that by the time I got to the end, the holding tank would be full. A couple of times it actually started overflowing, so I must have been reciting slower than usual!  Set yourself a routine if that helps. Or carry the beads around with you and pray it when you have to wait (like in the line for the DMV!) or on public transport etc. You won't be asking these questions if you develop a love for the Rosary - then it will be 'How can I find more time so that I can pray the Rosary?' Like all prayer, it can be a truly beautiful experience.

 

​Good to get some of those questions answered for myself too!

[Nunsense]

​Good to get some of those questions answered for myself too!

​I have learned through trial and error what personal prayers help me. In one convent they were very keen on devotional prayers to the Infant of Prague. I was never inclined that way (although I participated in the community customs) but I did have a strong devotion to St Michael and used to pray his prayer every evening before going to bed, after prayers to the Holy Spirit and my guardian angel. Private devotions are just so personal.

[oremus1]

many traditional catholics say everyone should pray one or two rosaries a day, and everyone is called to do this, and if you dont like the rosary or feel you aren't called to pray it, it is a sign of deamons. many traditional priests are scandalised by people who do not pray chaplets or rosaries and think you are a very bad catholic.

[Nunsense]

many traditional catholics say everyone should pray one or two rosaries a day, and everyone is called to do this, and if you dont like the rosary or feel you aren't called to pray it, it is a sign of deamons. many traditional priests are scandalised by people who do not pray chaplets or rosaries and think you are a very bad catholic.

​'Many traditional Catholics' (as represented by you)  are Phishy and don't know what they are talking about.  

Private devotions are just that - private. While the rosary is a very powerful prayer, it isn't a sign of demons if you don't feel an affinity for that particulate devotion. There are countless others that one might feel more inclined to pray.

Since you do not represent the teachings of the Catholic Church today, perhaps you should not post such irresponsible things here. They might cause a scrupulous person to suffer unnecessarily. 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2015 by nunsense

[oremus1]

​'Many traditional Catholics' (as represented by you)  are Phishy and don't know what they are talking about.

Private devotions are just that - private. While the rosary is a very powerful prayer, it isn't a sign of demons if you don't feel an affinity for that particulate devotion. There are countless others that one might feel more inclined to pray.

Since you do not represent the teachings of the Catholic Church today, perhaps you should not post such irresponsible things here. They might cause a scrupulous person to suffer unnecessarily.

 

​I did not say they were my views, so it is rather uncalled for and insulting for you to call me irresponsible for referring to common views which are not even my own. No need to be nasty.

 

I have heard these things . For example, if you are discerning something, many priests as well as many people will say to you "do you pray the rosary everyday" and if you say no, they will say "you MUST pray the rosary everyday!!!!" or in confession, if you commit a mortal sin, the priest will say "do you pray the rosary everyday? No? that is why you committed this sin!"  What should one say to them? I even had a priest say to me at the weekend "one rosary a day is not enough. you need at least two to help avoid sin"

Anyone do a different form of marian devotion on a regular/daily  basis but not the rosary?

 

[Nunsense]

​I did not say they were my views, so it is rather uncalled for and insulting for you to call me irresponsible for referring to common views which are not even my own. No need to be nasty.

 

I have heard these things . For example, if you are discerning something, many priests as well as many people will say to you "do you pray the rosary everyday" and if you say no, they will say "you MUST pray the rosary everyday!!!!" or in confession, if you commit a mortal sin, the priest will say "do you pray the rosary everyday? No? that is why you committed this sin!"  What should one say to them? I even had a priest say to me at the weekend "one rosary a day is not enough. you need at least two to help avoid sin"

Anyone do a different form of marian devotion on a regular/daily  basis but not the rosary?

 

​If these are not your views then it is even more irresponsible to parrot them to others who might be scrupulous. Do you even know what scrupulosity is and how much suffering it can cause to someone? Why even post such things unless it was to seek advice from others. In that case, you should preface your comments with something like your above post did, saying you heard it and you wonder about it because you don't know what to think. It sounds as if perhaps you might suffer from scrupulosity a little yourself if you are concerned about something like this.

Catholics are not obliged to perform private and personal devotions for a particular amount of time or repetitions etc. It might be that you are misunderstanding your priest when he asks if you pray the Rosary every day. He could be offering you advice about something that might help you with a particular sin. That is fine. And if your sin is ongoing, perhaps he is encouraging even more prayer time to help fight it. But there is no set amount of time or particular way in which to pray it. And don't forget that priests aren't infallible. Perhaps the Rosary has helped a priest to fight a particular sin so they offer this advice to others, but that doesn't make it a rule for everyone. That is between you and your priest.

If you are unsure, then by all means, pray the Rosary as often as you have time to do so - it is a powerful prayer. But don't put a burden on yourself that will only cause you further distress. And certainly don't advise others with the same advice that you received form a priest about your sins. We are individuals, and we can speak to our own priests privately and do our own personal and private devotions and prayers.

[oremus1]

​If these are not your views then it is even more irresponsible to parrot them to others who might be scrupulous. Do you even know what scrupulosity is and how much suffering it can cause to someone? Why even post such things unless it was to seek advice from others. In that case, you should preface your comments with something like your above post did, saying you heard it and you wonder about it because you don't know what to think. It sounds as if perhaps you might suffer from scrupulosity a little yourself if you are concerned about something like this.

Catholics are not obliged to perform private and personal devotions for a particular amount of time or repetitions etc. It might be that you are misunderstanding your priest when he asks if you pray the Rosary every day. He could be offering you advice about something that might help you with a particular sin. That is fine. And if your sin is ongoing, perhaps he is encouraging even more prayer time to help fight it. But there is no set amount of time or particular way in which to pray it. And don't forget that priests aren't infallible. Perhaps the Rosary has helped a priest to fight a particular sin so they offer this advice to others, but that doesn't make it a rule for everyone. That is between you and your priest.

If you are unsure, then by all means, pray the Rosary as often as you have time to do so - it is a powerful prayer. But don't put a burden on yourself that will only cause you further distress. And certainly don't advise others with the same advice that you received form a priest about your sins. We are individuals, and we can speak to our own priests privately and do our own personal and private devotions and prayers.

​
Actually, this whole thread is about private devotions and prayers, like much of transmundane. and one is free to ask questions about a priest.

Note: I have just put nunsense on my ignore list hence why I am not replying to any more of their posts, as they are being very horrible to me - hence why this thread may seem disjointed to other users.Transmundane is a place for prayer and questions about prayer. not for bullying. Please remember to keep it kind

Edited April 7, 2015 by oremus1

[Nunsense]

I don't think I have been bullying. In fact, I have been trying to ensure that everyone feels comfortable with their own prayer life. If I have offended you, then you have done the right thing by ignoring me. I always encourage those who dislike me or my posts to ignore me. There are some on here that I have trouble with too, so thank dUSt for the ignore option!  

 

[Winchester]

If you're going to state a viewpoint and you don't want to lead people to believe you hold that viewpoint, just make sure to say that you don't hold to it.

 

If you fail to do that, then clarify instead of whining about the confusion due to your own poor composition.

[BarbTherese]

St Therese said that The Rosary was one of her greatest trials in monastic life.

[superblue]

St Therese said that The Rosary was one of her greatest trials in monastic life.

that I find interesting and wonder why.

[BarbTherese]

that I find interesting and wonder why.

​

http://www.catholichousehold.com/censoring-st-therese-5-things-didnt-know-little-flower/

"St. Thérèse struggled with her prayers and devotions.

One aspect of St. Thérèse’s life that was expunged from the initial publication of her autobiography was details of the difficulties she faced in applying herself to prayer. One passage in particular mentions this struggle as regards the rosary. The details should serve as no small consolation to those who struggle with the daily recitation of the rosary or other pious observances:

“I feel then that the fervor of my Sisters makes up for my lack of fervor; but when alone (I am ashamed to admit it) the recitation of the rosary is more difficult for me than the wearing of an instrument of penance. I feel I have said this so poorly! I force myself in vain to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary; I don’t succeed in fixing my mind on them.

For a long time I was desolate about this lack of devotion which astonished me, for I love the Blessed Virgin so much that it should be easy for me to recite in her honor prayers which are so pleasing to her. Now I am less desolate; I think that the Queen of heaven, since she is my mother, must see my good will and she is satisfied with it. Sometimes when my mind is in such aridity that it is impossible to draw forth one single thought to unite me with God, I very slowly recite an “Our Father” and then the “Hail Mary”; then these prayers give me great delight; they nourish my soul much more than if I had recited them precipitately a hundred times.”

Edited April 8, 2015 by BarbaraTherese

[superblue]

wow ty for posting that B.T / that really hit home for me on some things that have been rattling round in my ole kidney bean.

[BarbTherese]

I do love a spirituality, SB, that can 'sing and dance' - be playful!  Thank you for sharing. 

Some do put down the spirituality of St Therese, but I think that they are failing to insight the theology behind what is to us today perhaps very flowery language - but 'flowery language' in spirituality was common, quite common, in the times of St Therese. It was simply the way they expressed themselves then.  It has never been my cuppa tea and initially almost turned me off St Therese.  Thank The Lord that it did not!

[BarbTherese]

I think that Thomas Merton might have been into St Therese - he is the one that is most often quoted re our desires and good will rather than any sort of success being pleasing to The Lord.  Very easy to write..........another matter to live out.  We live in an almost success-crazy culture and sometimes it cannot help but rub off and have an affect.

Edited April 8, 2015 by BarbaraTherese

[Catlick]

many traditional catholics say everyone should pray one or two rosaries a day, and everyone is called to do this, and if you dont like the rosary or feel you aren't called to pray it, it is a sign of deamons. many traditional priests are scandalised by people who do not pray chaplets or rosaries and think you are a very bad catholic.

​For clarity's sake, who are the 'many traditional priests' you're talking about? Does this group include several nationalities, several congregations? Does it include those who are usually called 'conservatives' like Opus Dei priests, or just priests who celebrate the Tridentine Mass only? Does it include the very Marial priests and the priests more sceptical of Mary-as-Mediatrix? 

I ask this because I've never encountered a priest who calls Catholics bad if they don't pray a daily rosary. Even very Marial priests from FSSPX.